CONTACT: R.J. Hufnagel, (412) 562-2450, rhufnagel@usw.org
United Steelworkers (USW) District 4 Director Del Vitale, who took office on July 15, today named staff representative David M. Wasiura as the new assistant to the director.
Before becoming director on July 15, Vitale served as assistant to his predecessor, John Shinn, who this week left that post to become the union’s new International Secretary-Treasurer.
District 4 includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Puerto Rico.
Wasiura launched his USW career in 1996 when he followed in his father’s footsteps and began working at the American Brass facility in Buffalo, N.Y. Over the next 15 years, he served in various positions with Local 593, including as vice president and a member of the bargaining committee.
“As a fourth-generation Steelworker, I became involved to give back to my union for all it has provided to myself and my family,” Wasiura said. “As the district organizing coordinator, I have been able to give other workers the same opportunities that I had because of the union. I look forward to working with Director Vitale to grow and strengthen District 4 and fight for all working people.”
In 2004, Wasiura volunteered for the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign, working primarily in Northwestern Pennsylvania, knocking on doors and talking to union members about issues critical to working families.
In June 2010, Wasiura began working in USW’s political department in Pittsburgh, where he helped to coordinate the USW’s national field program to support pro-worker campaigns across the country.
In January 2013, he returned to District 4 to work with local unions in New Jersey and New England before returning to Buffalo as the district’s organizing coordinator.
“Dave is a hard working devoted unionist who will be an asset to District 4 and our members,” Vitale said.
Since returning to Buffalo, Wasiura has served as coordinator of the district’s Next Gen program and as a member of the Western New York Area Labor Federation Executive Board.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.