James Conigliaro now represents the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) on the MTD Executive Board. He was appointed by IAM International President Robert Martinez who filled the seat temporarily following the retirement of Lynn Tucker in July.
A 39-year member of the IAM, Conigliaro serves as the union’s General Vice President for the Eastern Territory. The Brooklyn, NY, native began his career as a maintenance mechanic for United Parcel Service and quickly rose through the ranks of Local 447 and District 15 (which represents IAM members in automotive, trucking and other industries in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Boston). By 2003, he was elected IAM District 15 Directing Business Representative.
Among his duties as a general vice president is to work with union’s secretary-treasurer on its financial operations.
Conigliaro is a vice president of the New York State AFL-CIO and remains involved with the New York City Central Labor Council. He has helped one of the Machinists’ major charities – Guide Dogs of America – raise nearly $3 million during the last 15 years. In addition, through his efforts, IAM District 15 has won important gains on behalf of thousands of largely immigrant black-car drivers in the New York City area who had been misclassified as independent contractors.