A Message from Business Manager Chris Erikson
Yesterday we concluded our 2025 season at the Long Island Educational Center in Cutchogue, New York. It was Harry’s birthday, and fittingly the members of the ‘J’ Division listened to a recording of his remarks on “The Goals of Labor” given in 1962 at Cooper Union. Over 1,100 members had that same opportunity this year during Closing Remarks. If you have not availed yourself of the opportunity to participate in one of the best benefits we have then you need to commit to making that happen next year. It was like Harry was in the room with us, speaking directly to our members of today, most of whom never had the opportunity to actually hear him speak. He spoke on many subjects, but he said, “If I had to sum it up, the goals of labor would be a better life.” We all have a better life because of Harry Van Arsdale Jr. He achieved his goal, and we have continued to honor his legacy by emulating all that he created and taught us by “Keeping the Union Strong.” As long as we remain committed to that goal, we and future generations of Local 3 members will have better lives. Thank you, Harry, and Happy Birthday. We were very lucky to have you.
Over the course of my career, I certainly have been committed to preserving Harry’s legacy. He, along with Tom Van Arsdale, instilled in me that the only purpose of the union is to serve the membership, and that is a tenet that I have instilled in my sons as well. I believe I have served this union with distinction. It is, however, my time to pass the baton, and I announced that I will be stepping down as Business Manager on December 31st. The transition of power comes with an awesome responsibility to make sure that the progress that we have made and the integrity that we have had in leadership is protected and continues for future generations of Local 3 members. That will happen if you keep the Union strong, sisters and brothers. Even though I’m retiring, I will remain busy in a number of roles: President of Electrical Workers Without Borders North America (EWWBNA); President of the NYS Allied Printing Trades Council; Corresponding Secretary of PEC; Advisory Board member of SUNY Empire State University; member of the Oversight Committee of the Building Trades ADR Programs at JFK Terminal 1 and Terminal 6, the MTA Viaduct, and the Gateway Tunnel projects. I will continue to serve on the Executive Board of Cornell University’s Climate Jobs Institute, and I will remain as Vice Chairman of the Educational & Cultural Trust Fund and as a Director of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Memorial Association.
November’s General Membership meeting was my 229th since becoming Business Manager. I only missed one when my granddaughter was born and that was 10 years ago. I have enjoyed every single one of them fulfilling my responsibility as an officer of this great organization, and you, the members of Local 3, have never let me down. I’m proudest when thousands of us march in solidarity year after year in the NYC Labor Day Parade. It has been the greatest honor to serve this membership. Next month will be my last union meeting as your Business Manager, when I will announce who the Executive Board elects to fulfill the unexpired term of my office and your new Business Manager.
Keep the Union strong, brothers and sisters. I’m going to miss it. I love this union and all of you, so thank you again. Thank you for giving me the honor to serve.
