Continued...

Kevin streamlined and modernized the way the Student Union's business was done and ensured that the proceeds were used for scholarships for budding labor leaders.

In this role, Kevin worked closely with the College's President to get the College Degree Program its own independent accreditation, thus becoming our nation's first National Labor College.

Kevin is proud to have contributed to the American Federation of Labor's President, Samuel Gompers' one hundred year old dream, of a national labor college, having finally become a reality.

Kevin not only studied labor at school... he lived it. When his school assignment called for him to study about organizing, He worked with IBEW locals in 24 and 26 in Washington and Baltimore as a SALT, stripping the best electricians from a major non- union contractor, MC Dean that had underbid the nearest union contractor by over a million dollars at B.W.I. Airport.

In 1998, Labor was facing its most serious attacks by the anti-union forces in decades, with a ballot measure that was introduced in California, Proposition 226. This Proposition was designed to hinder all unions' ability to build political clout with their COPE funds by forcing excessive regulations on the unions and the members' contributions. It was sold by the anti-union forces as "paycheck protection." Labor referred to it as "Paycheck Deception"!

Kevin was sent to the front line of this campaign to help coordinate "the Valley". He and his small team were able to drastically turn around the campaign numbers and contribute to a great labor win that set the tone for the next decade.

Kevin's skills were recognized and he was asked to work for a new political group called "the Project". This group was funded in Washington, DC by labor organizations including the IBEW. Its mission was to be a rapid response team that would be dropped into hot political races and build relationships between labor and community groups.

Kevin's next assignment was in Oregon working on another "paycheck deception" issue, Ballot Measure 59.  He designed and coordinated the campaign efforts of the Oregon State Building Trades. Working with the President of the Council, Bob Shiprack, a fellow IBEW member, unprecedented numbers turned out and fought back the anti-union measure.

After returning from Oregon, Kevin once again put on his tools while working to finish his Bachelors Degree in Labor Studies.

In July of 1999, Kevin graduated with Honors and was voted by his fellow classmates to speak on behalf of all the students.

Also speaking at the graduation were John Sweeney, President of the National AFL-CIO and Robert Georgine, President of the Building & Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO who was so impressed with Kevin's speech and work ethic that he invited him to his office for an interview.               

On August 9, 1999, after receiving the approval of IBEW International President, J.J.Barry, Kevin O'Sullivan became the Political Director of the Building & Construction Trades Department representing 3 million members across the United States and Canada.

In this role, Kevin developed the highly successful Frontline Political Program that trained a new breed of political operatives and placed them in targeted political ground operations nation-wide including the Presidential Election.

From the Iowa Caucus through the Florida Recount, he was on the ground leading the way. He would speak on behalf of the Building Trades at various conferences across the nation and expanded the Frontline Program.

In DC, he moderated expert panels on politics and legislation at the Building Trades Legislative Conference, he developed Building Trades positions for the National Council of State Legislatures, he assisted the development of the Helmets-to-Hardhats Program for veterans entering the trades, and he worked with current AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to develop the Union Sportsman Association.  

His tenure was a resounding success.

When both of Kevin's parents had medical concerns with their hearts, he was uncomfortable living far away from them and knew he did not want to live a life of regret for not being there with his parents when he was needed most.

Fate opened a door for him as the New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council was in need of a new Executive Director.

Knowing he could build the New Jersey State Building Trades Council into a national example for passing state legislation and electing union members to public office, Kevin chose to leave his position in Washington, DC.

On his departure from the national Building Trades Department, President Ed Sullivan and Secretary Joe Maloney honored him with a party and presented him with a plaque extolling his accomplishments for the Department and for the 3 million rank and file members across the United States and Canada.

In December of 2002, the New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council hired Kevin to serve as the Executive Director and Legislative Representative for its 100 local unions, 13 local councils and 150,000 rank and file members.

Roughly two years prior to Kevin's arrival there had been a major split in the building trades over the passage of legislation that changed the way state contracts were given out. Previously, contracts were given out for the electrical, mechanical and general contractors separately.

The new legislation changed it so that all contracts would be given to General Contractors and they would sub it out to electrical and Mechanical contractors. The battle between the basic trades and the skill trades was so heated that when the law passed both sides would often undermine each others legislation in Trenton.

Kevin understood the importance of working with the unions he represented, contractor associations and construction users, various business/labor coalitions and elected officials to make as much hay as possible while the sun shined!

Kevin served as the point man and mediator for the passage of legislation that expanded prevailing wage regulations, that ensured tens of billions in infrastructure and schools , that provided fair energy savings, that ended the use of cancer causing creosote that was killing linemen and dock builders, that prohibited debarred contractor using new business entities to circumvent the law, that made it a criminal act for contractors to misclassify employees as independent contractors, and stopped many anti-union pieces of legislation!

On the political front, Kevin served as a Deputy Vice Chairman for the New Jersey State Democratic Party, worked directly on Governor Corzine's and Senator Menendez's campaigns while on personal leave. Understanding the need for "friends of Labor" from both sides of the isle, he helped develop the Republican Labor Caucus and built up the non-partisan, NJ Building & Construction Trades Advocacy fund.

On the Administrative front, Kevin created Building Trades Organizers Committee. He created the Apprentice Director/Coordinators Committee, and developed the funding mechanism stream for NJ Helmets to Hardhats Program.

Kevin served on the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Society for Economic and Environmental Development (NJ SEED) a coalition of major Corporations and labor unions to promote a stronger economy in NJ.

He served on several governmental committees with the Department of Labor for prevailing wages and the Department of Education to provide union construction workers with college credits for their apprenticeships.

On the charity front, Kevin served for 6 years on reception committee for the Newark Archbishop's Business & Labor Reception which raised over $2 Million for indigent youth.

For his good works Kevin was honored by the Boy Scouts of America, the Irish American Fenian Society, and by the City of Newark and Essex County as the Grand Marshal of the 72^nd Newark Saint Patrick's Day Parade in 2007.

2008 brought changes to the New Jersey Building Trades when its President made major adjustments to the structure of the Council. Not agreeing with the changes, Kevin decided to leave in January of 2009.

Never one to see himself above his trade, he once again put on his tools and joined his local brothers and sisters on the job site.

Kevin was approached repeatedly by many of his union brothers and sisters in the field who were familiar with his work in the labor movement and who also had issue with the administration of their local.

 Kevin came to realize that the membership was disenfranchised by it own leadership and feared for the future of their industry and their work.

Worse yet, many of the members have indicated that they are deeply concerned about the lack of forthrightness of the administration when addressing the constant lawsuits against out local union, as well as their constant avoidance of providing members financial information, as is required in the IBEW Constitution!

Kevin realized that it would be a tough road to walk but knew it was time to step forward and offer his experience, education and most importantly, his commitment and vision for his union!

Kevin O'Sullivan is running for Business Manager of IBEW Local Union 164. He knows that our survival depends on our ability to re-instill the values and common sense economics that our forefathers brought to our union ... before it is too late!

Kevin is recognized and respected by political and labor leaders at the international, national, state and local level but most importantly he has never forgotten his roots. He is a proud union electrician, one of us.

Please vote for Kevin O'Sullivan for Business Manager of IBEW Local 164 on June 3^rd

Thank You.