After a 41-year career as a labor leader, which began in Dunkirk, New York, Director William Pienta announced his retirement, effective January 1, 2012.
Director "Bill" Pienta began his career with the United Steelworker union in 1966, when he began working at the former Allegheny Ludlum steel mill in Dunkirk as an electrician.
He became a union activist and was elected to the grievance committee in 1970. He went on to serve in a variety of Local Union positions eventually being elected President of Local 2693. Pienta joined the USW International staff as an organizer in 1990. He was the first staff representative in District 4 to graduate from the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute. In 1997, he was promoted to the position of Buffalo Sub-district Director and served as the organizing and first contract coordinator for the District. In 2002, Pienta was named Assistant Director of District 4 and served in that capacity until his appointment as Director in 2004.
As Director of USW District 4, Pienta represented about 80,000 members in both the public and private sectors of organized labor. He was responsible for all USW activities in nine states, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and the island of Puerto Rico
Throughout his career, Pienta worked tirelessly to represent the members of the USW to the best of his abilities. He held elected positions in multiple labor organizations. He served as a Vice President of the Buffalo, NY Central Labor Council and as Secretary to the Western New York Area Labor Federation. Additionally he represented the USW as a Vice President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Executive Board. He also presided over National negotiations of the USW Allegheny Ludlum Bargaining Council and the National Gas Conference. He was also a director of the New York State Workforce Development Institute, Inc. and was a member of the Univera Advisory Board.
