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Richard C. Iannuzzi was elected president of the more than 525,000-member New York State United Teachers in April 2005. A long-time fourth-grade teacher and president of the Central Islip Teachers Association, Iannuzzi also served as a NYSUT vice president and on the NYSUT Board of Directors before ascending to the union’s top leadership position. Iannuzzi is a vice president of the American Federation of Teachers and vice president of the New York State AFL-CIO. He also serves as an AFT delegate to the national AFL-CIO and as co-chair of the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition. As NYSUT president, Iannuzzi heads the largest state federation in the AFT. NYSUT programs are provided from 16 offices around the state staffed by more than 400 full-time employees. NYSUT’s more than 1,000 affiliates bargain collectively for benefits; working conditions; and professional, health care and educational improvements. NYSUT represents a diverse membership that includes in-service and retired members in New York’s public schools, colleges, universities, and health care facilities, as well as several private schools and colleges. Iannuzzi has spoken frequently concerning the potential for diversity to increase the power of unity. “Whether we work in health care, on a campus or in a school — whether we are in-service or retired — we all bring different contributions and concerns to our shared union endeavors,” he said. “After all, each of us today understands that our strength is not in focusing on our diverse professions, geography or the size of our locals, but in our common union culture. In essence, our strength is our solidarity.” Iannuzzi, who is from Smithtown, Long Island, taught elementary school in Central Islip public schools for 34 years, including fourth grade for the last 20 years. Raised in a union household, Iannuzzi was active in his local union from the beginning of his career, joining his local on strike in November 1970, his first year on the job. Iannuzzi was elected building representative in 1971 and served on the grievance committee for five years. He was vice president of the Central Islip TA from 1976 to 1996 and president from 1996 to 2004. In addition to his local union duties, Iannuzzi has served as a NYSUT and AFT delegate and a Long Island Federation of Labor delegate. He was elected to the NYSUT Board of Directors in 1998. He succeeded Walter E. Dunn Jr., as a NYSUT vice president in 2004, before his election to the presidency following NYSUT President Emeritus Thomas Y. Hobart Jr., who led the union since its inception in 1972. A graduate of CUNY’s Brooklyn College, Iannuzzi earned a master’s degree from Hofstra University and a labor studies certificate from Cornell University. He and his wife, Joanne, have three grown children, including daughter Deborah, a NYSUT member who currently teaches English at Central Islip High School. Dick and Joanne are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren. April 2006 |
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