Brian McLaughlin
Encyclopedia
Brian M. McLaughlin is a former American Democratic
politician from Flushing, Queens
.
McLaughlin was a New York Assemblyman
elected in 1992 to represent the 25th district. He was also President of the New York City Central Labor Council (CLC), which is a part of the AFL-CIO
.
McLaughlin was arrested October 17, 2006, on charges of stealing more than $2 million from the State of New York and labor unions. After his arrest, he announced that he would not run for re-election, and left office at the end of 2006. On May 20, 2009, he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment.
. In June 1995, he was unanimously elected to be the third President in the history of the organization.
McLaughlin has often expressed that he views education an important part of the labor movement. He advocates that each local union become a respected center of education, as “only an educated and active working class can make its needs known.”
Recently, McLaughlin has been involved in a variety of notable political campaigns. He was instrumental in organizing the "Labor For Democracy" campaign to defeat a mayoral proposal calling for nonpartisan elections on the November 2004 New York City election ballot. Also he recently served as the New York chairman of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, a campaign which calls for "a road to citizenship, the reunification of families, a voice and dignity in the workplace, and the civil rights of all people." During the 2004 Republican National Convention, McLaughlin worked with convention organizers to negotiate no-strike labor agreements, in order to secure the convention's venue in New York. During the convention, McLaughlin organized a rally of unionists from a wide variety of trades to protest certain anti-labor policies of the Bush Administration.
He also led the CLC to create a special Commission on the Dignity of Immigrants, a partnership between the Council and the Archdiocese of New York, and the immigration subcommittee, in an attempt to secure the rights and address the needs of immigrants and new New Yorkers.
Most recently, McLaughlin has focused on safety issues in the workplace, working with New York law enforcement officials on more effective means of enforcing workplace health and safety regulations. He has advocated criminally charging negligent employers.
Since 1999, under McLaughlin’s direction, the Central Labor Council has also actively promoted the Labor in the Pulpits program, in which union members speak at local congregations of all faith traditions regarding the work of organized labor and the bond between labor and religion.
McLaughlin was also part of a coalition urging the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
to commit $1 billion in post-9/11 federal funding toward the "Liberty Jobs” plan, which would put 60,000 unemployed New Yorkers back to work. McLaughlin also supports several major economic development projects in New York City that would secure good jobs and revenue activity, including the expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
, the development of the New York City Sports Stadium, and the city’s bid for the Olympics
2012.
stores out of New York City because of what critics say are the retailer’s poor working standards, wages, health benefits and treatment of its workers. McLaughlin was also instrumental in getting the New York City Healthcare Security Act passed in the City Council mandating that retail and grocery businesses provide adequate healthcare coverage for its workers.
In the Assembly he authored more than a 40 new state laws, including measures to toughen crime laws, preserve the quality of life of residential neighborhoods, and improve access to health care in New York City. He is author of the "Sharps bill", designed to prevent workplace injuries in the health care industry.
, as well one of the union’s Business Representatives.
While working as an electrician, he continued his education, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree from Empire State College
of the State University of New York and Master’s Degree in Industrial Labor Relations from the New York Institute of Technology
.
, New York
; they have five children.
Brian,Kelly,Cassie,Robert, And meaghan.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from Flushing, Queens
Flushing, Queens
Flushing, founded in 1645, is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, east of Manhattan.Flushing was one of the first Dutch settlements on Long Island. Today, it is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in New York City...
.
McLaughlin was a New York Assemblyman
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
elected in 1992 to represent the 25th district. He was also President of the New York City Central Labor Council (CLC), which is a part of the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
.
McLaughlin was arrested October 17, 2006, on charges of stealing more than $2 million from the State of New York and labor unions. After his arrest, he announced that he would not run for re-election, and left office at the end of 2006. On May 20, 2009, he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment.
Labor
McLaughlin was active in New York City’s labor movement for more than two decades. He worked closely with the CLC under the leadership of Harry Van Arsdale, Jr., and as the assistant to Harry’s successor and son Thomas Van ArsdaleThomas Van Arsdale
Thomas Van Arsdale is the former head of the New York City Central Labor Council. He succeeded his father, Harry Van Arsdale, Jr., in the post by defeating the late Victor Gotbaum, who was then the executive director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.Mr...
. In June 1995, he was unanimously elected to be the third President in the history of the organization.
McLaughlin has often expressed that he views education an important part of the labor movement. He advocates that each local union become a respected center of education, as “only an educated and active working class can make its needs known.”
Recently, McLaughlin has been involved in a variety of notable political campaigns. He was instrumental in organizing the "Labor For Democracy" campaign to defeat a mayoral proposal calling for nonpartisan elections on the November 2004 New York City election ballot. Also he recently served as the New York chairman of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, a campaign which calls for "a road to citizenship, the reunification of families, a voice and dignity in the workplace, and the civil rights of all people." During the 2004 Republican National Convention, McLaughlin worked with convention organizers to negotiate no-strike labor agreements, in order to secure the convention's venue in New York. During the convention, McLaughlin organized a rally of unionists from a wide variety of trades to protest certain anti-labor policies of the Bush Administration.
He also led the CLC to create a special Commission on the Dignity of Immigrants, a partnership between the Council and the Archdiocese of New York, and the immigration subcommittee, in an attempt to secure the rights and address the needs of immigrants and new New Yorkers.
Most recently, McLaughlin has focused on safety issues in the workplace, working with New York law enforcement officials on more effective means of enforcing workplace health and safety regulations. He has advocated criminally charging negligent employers.
Since 1999, under McLaughlin’s direction, the Central Labor Council has also actively promoted the Labor in the Pulpits program, in which union members speak at local congregations of all faith traditions regarding the work of organized labor and the bond between labor and religion.
McLaughlin was also part of a coalition urging the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
Lower Manhattan Development Corporation
The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation was formed in July 2002, after the September 11 attacks to plan the reconstruction of Lower Manhattan and distribute nearly $10 billion in federal funds aimed at rebuilding downtown Manhattan....
to commit $1 billion in post-9/11 federal funding toward the "Liberty Jobs” plan, which would put 60,000 unemployed New Yorkers back to work. McLaughlin also supports several major economic development projects in New York City that would secure good jobs and revenue activity, including the expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is a large convention center located on Eleventh Avenue, between 34th and 38th streets, on the West side of Manhattan in New York City. It was designed by architects I. M. Pei and partners. The revolutionary space frame structure was undertaken in 1979 and...
, the development of the New York City Sports Stadium, and the city’s bid for the Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
2012.
Wal-Mart
This past year, McLaughlin has led the fight to keep Wal-MartWal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
stores out of New York City because of what critics say are the retailer’s poor working standards, wages, health benefits and treatment of its workers. McLaughlin was also instrumental in getting the New York City Healthcare Security Act passed in the City Council mandating that retail and grocery businesses provide adequate healthcare coverage for its workers.
Elected Representative
In 1992, Brian McLaughlin was elected to the New York State Assembly for 25th Assembly District. McLaughlin served as Chairman of the Democratic Conference. He has also served on the influential Ways and Means Committee.In the Assembly he authored more than a 40 new state laws, including measures to toughen crime laws, preserve the quality of life of residential neighborhoods, and improve access to health care in New York City. He is author of the "Sharps bill", designed to prevent workplace injuries in the health care industry.
Electrician
McLaughlin started his labor career as a journeyman electrician, and remains a member of IBEW Local 3International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a labor union which represents workers in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Panama and several Caribbean island nations; particularly electricians, or Inside Wiremen, in the construction industry and linemen and other...
, as well one of the union’s Business Representatives.
While working as an electrician, he continued his education, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree from Empire State College
Empire State College
Empire State College, one of the thirteen arts and science colleges of the State University of New York, is a multi-site institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. It is primarily oriented towards the adult learner...
of the State University of New York and Master’s Degree in Industrial Labor Relations from the New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational research university in New York City. NYIT has five schools and two colleges, all with a strong emphasis on technology and applied scientific research...
.
Family
Brian McLaughlin and his wife Eva lived in QueensQueens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
; they have five children.
Brian,Kelly,Cassie,Robert, And meaghan.