Louis Alvarez was born in 1967 in New York City, raised in Astoria, Queens and graduated from Long Island City High School in 1985. Brother Alvarez was initiated into Local 3 in 1989 and completed his apprenticeship in 1994 while earning an associate degree as part of Local 3’s apprenticeship program. In 2015 he went on to further his studies, receiving his bachelor’s degree from the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies at SUNY Empire State College.
Louis received his ‘A’ card in 1995 and has since worked as an inside wireman, foreman, junior estimator, project manager and shop steward. In 2005 he passed the New York City electrical license exam and became a Master Electrician. He is currently a steward under Business Representative Ken Forsberg in midtown Manhattan.
Louis is active in Local 3 as a member of the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society, Bronx Acorn Club, Colony Club and Local 3’s Wage and Policy Committee. He was a committee member responsible for the development of Electrical Code Classes for the Educational and Cultural Fund where he instructed Local 3 members. He continues to support the program as a visiting instructor. In 2018 he was invited to represent Local 3 on the New York City Department of Buildings electrical code revision committee. He was elected to the Examining Board of Local 3 in 2011, the Executive Board in 2015 and as Vice President of Local 3 to fill the unexpired term of Joseph Proscia on November 12, 2020.
Louis is a proud member of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, giving back by performing community service. He helped organize 27 volunteer projects in 2017 when Local 3 hosted the EWMC in New York City, and he has continued to lead Local 3 volunteers in the annual EWMC day of community service.
In 2012 Louis volunteered to help re-elect President Barack Obama by traveling to Miami, canvassing neighborhoods leading up to the national election. During that trip, his community suffered from damage brought on by Hurricane Sandy and he wasted no time upon his return to help those in need, working with rank-and-file members of Local 3 to help homeowners devastated by the storm. He has since dedicated much of his time volunteering in various relief efforts. He has led Local 3 volunteers in Puerto Rico in 2017, 2018 and 2019, in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017-18 and in the Bahamas in 2019. In June 2019, through the request of Business Manager Christopher Erikson and Electrical Workers Without Borders North America (EWWBNA), Louis proudly led a team of Local 3 members in a major electrical system upgrade at Chiulo Hospital, located in a rural region in Angola, Africa, assisting the Electrical Workers Without Borders from Italy
Louis is a proud member of Local 3, dedicated to giving back in appreciation for everything his union has to offer. He lives by Harry Van Arsdale Jr.’s motto: “Be kind. Everyone you meet is putting up a hard fight.”
