BY WILLIAM C. RUDIN & JAMES WHELAN
Albert
Einstein once said that “a life lived for others is a life worth living.” Last Thursday, Hector Figueroa, the President
of 32BJ SEIU, passed away suddenly having lived the worthiest of lives.
During his tenure at 32BJ SEIU, Hector was more than a labor leader. Héctor was a forceful champion of immigrant and workers’ rights. He spoke clearly and passionately against economic, social, and racial injustice.
Héctor Figueroa lived his life, and got results, for the thousands of people who handle baggage, push wheelchairs and do other vital work in our airports. Under his leadership, they won better wages and benefits. He was a leader in the fight to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour. In the process, he helped change the lives and financial standing of hundreds of thousands of families.
His life
is in many ways was a testament to the spirit of New York City and the American
Dream. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Héctor moved to the Bronx in 1982 when
he was just 20-years-old. He worked his
way through college and first became involved with SEIU in the mid-1990s,
believing that every building service worker deserved protection and a voice.
Héctor
lived to advocate for his members. If you’ve ever lived or worked in a building
staffed by 32BJ SEIU members, you’re aware that they are the first called upon
to go above and beyond when people need help addressing problems large and
small. 32BJ workers are often the first responders when the elevator, the
lights, or the air-conditioning goes out. They are relied upon when keys are
lost, or a package is delivered. Héctor loved to talk about the positive impact
made by the daily good deeds and sacrifices of New York’s doormen, porters, and
security officers.
In 2012 Héctor
was elected president of the 32BJ SEIU, which is the largest property service
labor organization in the United States. While Hector was a champion of immigrant and
workers’ rights, he was also a great labor leader. He led more than 160,000 members based in
states along the eastern seaboard. The union grew by more than 50,000 members
under his leadership and played a key role in shaping some of the most
important legislative outcomes in those states.
Being a
great labor leader meant that he and the real estate industry did not always
see eye-to-eye on issues. He and his
very talented staff were formidable negotiators at the bargaining table. In the quarterly meetings held between staff
members of our organizations at which we discussed policy issues of mutual
interest and concern, such discussions were often robust and candid.
Héctor was
a champion for strengthening and diversifying New York’s economy. When Amazon
announced plans to build a second headquarters in Long Island City, he was a
vocal supporter of the move to bring more than 25,000 jobs, about 40% of which would
not require a college degree. After Amazon reversed course, Hector pointed out
to critics of the deal that a great opportunity had been squandered for the
labor movement to organize an employer that lacked a unionized workforce.
Throughout
it all, Héctor was driven by a principled and earnest belief in his cause and a
deep commitment to make New York City a better place. He was a fierce and
tireless fighter for what he believed was best for his membership. He also understood
the nuances of building consensus to get things done. He displayed that desire for consensus last
month when he and the union urged moderation with respect to changes to the
laws governing the City’s rent regulation system. He believed strongly that changes were needed
to the rent regulation laws but urged caution as to what those changes were so
that the end result was not a loss of jobs and less housing units available to
those in need.
Héctor was
respected by all of us fortunate enough to have worked with him. We should
remember his never-ending energy for what he believed was right.
A life like Héctor’s, lived in service of others should be celebrated, for his was a life from which every single New Yorker can draw inspiration.
