Joseph Azzopardi
Business Manager / Secretary Treasurer
Joseph Azzopardi is the elected Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer (BM/ST) for District Council No. 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. He was unanimously elected on July 10th, 2015, by the Delegates of District Council 9 to fill out the term of then BM/ST elect, Joseph Ramaglia. Since then, he has been elected twice to the seat of BM/ST, running unopposed in both elections. Joseph has been a leading figure in the finishing trades industry for over 15 years. A charismatic and effective leader, Joseph has never been afraid of a fight, especially on behalf of the workers he represents.
Joseph was born on November 3rd, 1975, in West Islip NY, to Joseph and Angela Azzopardi, both working class immigrants. He is the youngest of four sons and was raised in North Babylon, NY. He began his career in the finishing trades industry as a glazing apprentice in 2001. From the start Joseph’s commitment to his union was apparent and it wasn’t long before his dedication was recognized. Starting out as a Shop Steward of Glaziers Architectural Metal & Glass Workers Local Union 1281/1087, he advanced through the union ranks serving his Local Union over the years in many elected positions including Council Delegate, Financial Secretary, and Executive Board Member.
In 2009 Joseph was appointed as an Organizer for Local Union 1087/District Council 9. During this time, the Local Union’s membership thrived and enjoyed some of the largest negotiated increases in the history of the Local Union. They became one of the most active Local Unions in the District Council. As a testimony to his achievements, Joseph held that position until elected President of District Council 9 in 2014 after the passing of then President, William A. Elfeld, who was a mentor to Joseph and a respected leader across the District Council and the glazing industry.
In addition to his responsibilities as BM/ST, Joseph represents the membership of District Council 9 in various capacities. Joseph serves his membership as Co-chair of the Board of Trustees on District Council 9’s benefit funds: the Painting Industry Insurance and Annuity Funds, the Drywall Tapers Fund, the Metal Polishers Fund; which collectively oversees the health and welfare plans for over 30,000 lives for District Council 9 members and their families in addition to the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund which oversees the Finishing Trades Institute of New York providing apprenticeships, safety training, and skills certifications to all the members of District Council 9. He also serves as Vice President of the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and is an executive board member of the New York State Building Trades, the NYS AFL-CIO, and the NYC Central Labor Council. Joseph plays an active role in leading the District Council, its staff, and membership in countless community efforts and partnerships with non-profit organizations including several workforce development and pre-apprenticeship programs.
During his tenure as BM/ST, Joseph has led negotiations for numerous Collective Bargaining Agreements with District Council 9’s employer partners, improving the wages and benefits for the membership and advancing the industry at large. This has also contributed to the expansion of safety standards and worker protections as well as the promotion of District Council 9’s workforce and contractors. Joseph believes in maintaining the strong partnership we have with our employers and works hard on behalf of both the membership and contractors to promote the unionized finishing trades in New York State.
Throughout his career, Joseph has been a strong supporter of worker safety and made it his mission early on to impress this upon his union brothers and sisters. With the belief that through ongoing education and training, he and his fellow glaziers can live longer more productive lives. During his time working in the field as a glazier, he volunteered after work and on weekends to instruct safety and apprentice classes.
Continuing his mission to advance safety and skills training throughout his Union, Joseph successfully completed the renovation and expansion of District Council 9’s Training Center in New York City in 2021. From bringing the entire facility up to code to creating a second floor adding over 5500 sq. ft. of additional training space, the training facility was upgraded to remain state of the art. This allowed for the creation of dedicated training areas for all District Council 9 trades and additional training resources to ensure the membership remains the highest standard in the Finishing Trades industry. This remains one of his most prized accomplishments as BM/ST.
His responsibilities demand countless hours however Joseph always makes time for his wife Keri and son Luca.
John Drew
President
In 2015, John Drew became President of District Council 9, overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations, including organizing and servicing. John serves as Trustee on the Painting Industry Insurance and Annuity Fund, the Drywall Tapers Fund, and Local 8a-28a Metal Polishers Fund which collectively oversees the health and welfare plans for over 30,000 lives for District Council 9 members and their families. He previously served as the Chair of the IUPAT Eastern Region Servicing Committee for over 10 years and is the current Chair of the IUPAT Rules Committee. John works hand in hand with Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer Joseph Azzopardi and has always maintained an open-door policy, regularly engaging with all staff and the members of District Council 9 as well as its signatory contractors.
John was born on February 12, 1967, and raised in the South Bronx on Ogden Avenue. He joined District Council 9 in 1985 as a member of Local Union 19 in the Bronx. John worked for Hudson Shatz for 10 years, gaining experience as a Journeyman, Foreman, Field Supervisor, and an Estimator.
He was heavily involved in Local Union 19 for years, serving as Council Delegate, Vice President, and President. In 2004, District Council 9 brought John in as an Organizer. By 2005, he had risen to the role of Director of Organizing. During that time John implemented District Council 9’s Steward Training Program and founded the Voluntary Organizing Committee.
Through all his hard work and dedication to his Union, John made time to raise a family of three beautiful children who now have children of their own; his daughter Amanda and two grandchildren Juliana and Jeremy; his son Joshua and granddaughter Elizabeth; and his son Brandon, who is a proud member of Glaziers Architectural Metal & Glass Workers Local Union 1087 and a fourth generation IUPAT member. When he’s not representing the members of District Council 9 John spends his time with his children, grandchildren.
John is committed to providing sound leadership to District Council 9 and his years of experience in the field and as a union leader in this great industry have prepared him to do just that.
Other Leaders
