WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: Collage pictured above, Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Denise Abbott congratulates Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1342 President Jeff Richardson on being chosen Grand Marshal of the 2023 Labor Council’s Annual Labor Day Parade during a ceremony held last week at the Buffalo Irish Center in South Buffalo, where the parade will take place on Monday, September 4th.  (WNYLaborToday.com Photos)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – Listening to Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Denise Abbott list accomplishment after accomplishment and impact after impact he has had on not only his Union’s Membership, but the local community, it was plain to see that it was more than the right choice to select Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1342 President Jeff Richardson as the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Labor Council’s Annual Labor Day Parade.

From helping negotiate a “historic and life changing” contract for ATU Membership employed at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (Read: “Pressure Breaks Pipes” - ATU Local 1342 Reps Discuss Their Union’s “Historic & Life Changing” Contract With The NFTA, Local ‘Now Fielding Calls From Interested Unions Across The U.S. That Want To Know How They Did It’ at www.wnylabortoday.com/news/2022/06/21/buffalo-and-western-new-york-labor-news/pressure-breaks-pipes-atu-local-1342-reps-discuss-their-union-s-historic-life-changing-contract-with-the-nfta-local-now-fielding-calls-from-interested-unions-across-the-u.s.-that-want-to-know-how-they-did-it/) to walking a multitude of local picket lines in support of other Unions to driving around late at night, following his Members at work to tell them how much he appreciates them and to praise the good work they do to getting involved in his local community, especially with young people - the list went on and on and on.

“Jeff is ‘such a humble’ man,” Buffalo Labor Council President Abbott told the assembled Unionists who attended last week’s sashing event that was held at the Buffalo Irish Center in South Buffalo, where area Unions and their Members will gather on Labor Day to march in celebration of the many gains achieved by the Labor Movement for Working People.

“He is a ‘beautiful’ human being.  ‘What he gives to all is incredible and Jeff doesn’t take credit for it,’” Abbott continued.  “The contract (the ATU) settled (with the NFTA) - after going without a contract for nine years, and getting an eleven-percent raise ‘was incredible.’  He’s ‘always on’ Facebook Live, ‘letting people know where he is and what he’s doing (for Labor).’  During our December Blizzard (which paralyzed the City), he was on Facebook, asking his Members if ‘everyone was okay.’  The ATU ‘is his family and he thinks of them as such.’  He’s (also) involved in his church and ministry and with kids in sports around Buffalo.  ‘He’s a role model, one like you have never seen - and he doesn’t put that out there, which doesn’t surprise me.’  ‘He praises people for what they do and he makes everyone feel good.’” 

After being sashed by Abbott and accepting a congratulatory hug, Richardson told those Unionists assembled in the room: “‘We are here to serve our Members and our Family.’  ‘This is for all of us.’  The Union ‘is our family.’  ‘We are always fighting for some cause to take care of our Members.’  ‘And I really represent four- to -five-thousand Members, because I represent their families too.’  ‘I appreciate it and love you all.’”

Prior to making his formal comments, Richardson spoke with WNYLaborToday.com and took the time to single out his family - most notably his wife, Frieda, who he said provides him with the understanding of what it means to be an involved Labor Leader these days.

Richardson is a father of five and a grandfather of nine.  Some of his grown children now work in Union-represented jobs, at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute and in Buffalo’s Public School System, but he admits “I’ve never home,” a broad smile breaking out on his face as his wife sat just feet away at a table with another family member.

“I ‘have to smile.’  ‘I’m happy, humbled, excited - I couldn’t believe it,’” Richardson said of learning he would be Grand Marshal of the 2023 Buffalo Labor Council’s Annual Labor Day Parade.  “I was raised by a Mother (who instilled in her son) ‘a work ethic.’  ‘I love people and I love to serve.’” 

Richardson has been a Member of ATU Local 1342 - which represents 1,200 NFTA Employees, including Bus Drivers, Mechanics, Porters, Rail and Shop Workers, Tool Helpers, Training Representatives and those who work in the NFTA’s Clerical Department, for 35 years, rising in the Union Ranks of Steward to Recording Secretary to Vice President, then President.  

As the ceremony ended, some of those Union Representatives in attendance gathered together to take a team shot with Richardson, who - once again, was smiling ear to ear.

“‘I say we are one and I wanted to make sure that we are united,’” said Richardson, who turns 57 in December, of the Western New York Labor Movement.  “‘We are all fighting for the same and that means being on the line for them, for their fight, to support each other.’”

The Buffalo Labor Council’s 2023 Labor Day Parade is scheduled to start at 12 noon on Monday, September 4th, followed by its picnic - which is sponsored by Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, at the end of the parade route at Cazenovia Park Casino.