(ROCHESTER, NEW YORK) – International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 86 Business Manager Ray Ryerse has been elected President of the Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council.

The Rochester Trades Council represents 18 Affiliated Member Unions and a combined 10,000 Unionized Construction Workers who are highly skilled in a variety of crafts across the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Regions - and works to advance fair wages, safe working conditions and responsible public policy, while promoting high-quality training through Registered Apprenticeship Programs and supporting Projects that prioritize local Union Labor.

“I’m honored by the trust placed in me by my peers,” Ryerse - who succeeds International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 158 District Manager Grant Malone, who’d served as Building Trades President for the past five years, said in a press release. “The Rochester Building Trades Council has a proud history of standing up for Working Families, supporting Apprenticeship and training and ensuring local Union Labor remains central to the growth of our region. I look forward to working with our Officers and Affiliates to continue that mission.”

Ryerse brings extensive experience in the Electrical Trades and a strong commitment to Union values, workforce development and economic growth in the Rochester Region.

As a mentor and leader within Local 86, Ryerse has been described as a consistent advocate for Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Jobsite Safety and maintaining the highest standards of quality on Union Construction Projects.

His collaborative approach has helped strengthen relationships among the Trades, as well as with the community and civic partners, the release also stated.

In addition, SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) Local 46 Business Manager Anthony Valenti was elected Vice President and Laborers Local 435 Business Manager Dan Kuntz was re-elected Treasurer.

The 50-year-old Valenti, who told WNYLaborToday.com that he has known Ryerse for quite some time having “worked with him in the field,” said he and the new President of the Rochester Trades Council agree “there is a need for change.”

“This ‘injects some new blood (into the Trades Council) that will benefit’ the Building Trades,” he said. “We ‘need to rewrite’ our PLAs (Project Labor Agreements) ‘so they better suit our needs’ - ‘and we have to take another look at those Politicians who are always telling us what they need.’ ‘We need to switch it to what we need and not wait to see what they do for us.’ ‘We have to start holding people’s feet to the fire.’”

(WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More on Valenti, Go To: From Securing Work For Its Membership To Offering Unique Apprenticeship Training Opportunities To QR Code Organizing, SMART Local 46’s New Leadership Is ‘Bringing About Positive Results’ For Their Rochester Building Trades Union - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)

Meanwhile, the 64-year-old Malone - who has been a Union Member for 42 years and plans to officially retire in May, was credited for strengthening the Rochester Building Trades Council’s partnerships, supporting significant regional construction projects and continuing to expand opportunities in the Unionized Construction Trades.

“It’s ‘bittersweet, but it was time to let the young guys take over,’” Malone, who has 24 grandchildren that he plans on spending more time with, told WNYLaborToday.com.

“I’m ‘proud of being able to work with everybody and I was open-minded enough to sit down and compromise for the good of our Members,’” said Malone, who continues to serve as a Town of Irondequoit Councilman.

“My ‘track record speaks for itself – building great relationships and getting the job done.’ Ray and Anthony ‘will do a good job and I wish them all the best.’ I’ve ‘already told them that I am here to help and that if I can do anything for them, I’m just a call away,’” he said.

(WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: For More on Malone, Go To: Having Run For Public Office On A Promise Of “You Try To Fix Things Or You Don’t Complain,” Rochester Building Trades Union Leader Grant Malone ‘Is Now Trying To Fix Things’ After Winning A Seat On The Irondequoit Town Board - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York)