Bal Harbour, Fla.
Vice President Vincent R. Sombrotto has been a tireless advocate for the members of his union, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). Beginning his career as a letter carrier 55 years ago, his leadership skills were recognized by the members of his local who elected him president of Branch 36 in New York City, the largest local in the NALC.
Sombrotto was elected NALC president in 1978 and immediately began instituting significant changes in how the union interacted with Congress and the Executive Branch to insure that the collective bargaining rights of his members were protected and that they had a voice in the public policy debate concerning postal reform. He also has been an outspoken and forceful opponent of efforts to create individual investment accounts in the Social Security system.
Sombrotto was elected an AFL-CIO Vice President in 1981 and is the senior member of the Executive Council. He has contributed to the Council as chair of the committee on community partnerships and as a member of the committees on legislation, political education and public affairs.
On behalf of the men and women of the unions of the AFL-CIO, the Executive Council expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Vincent R. Sombrotto for his service and devotion to the members of his union and to the labor movement.