Late Union Prez Led Historic Wage Climb At Newark Airport

NEWARK, NJ — Mourners are set to honor the memory of a late union leader who was on the forefront of a historic wage climb at Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Héctor Figueroa, the late president of 32BJ SEIU, will take place on Wednesday, July 24 at Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive in Harlem, New York. Doors open to the public at 12:30 p.m. (See more information)

Figueroa, 57, died suddenly of a heart attack on the evening of July 11. He is survived by his wife, Deidre, and his children, Eric and Elena.

After taking over as president of 32BJ in 2012, Figueroa led a fight for workplace justice for the union’s 175,000 members, including a historic effort at Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports that resulted in the passage of the "highest minimum wage" in the United States.

"These workers do vital jobs at some of the nation's busiest airports and deserve decent wages that are the foundation of the middle class," Figueroa said after the landmark agreement was reached.

• See related article: Climb To Nation's Highest Minimum Wage Begins At Newark Airport

“We have lost a brother, a beautiful mind, an irreplaceable union leader and a real fighter for justice,” said Kyle Bragg, the new president of 32BJ. “Héctor believed in 32BJ and planted many seed during his tenure that have now blossomed into the powerful work that the union will continue in his legacy.”

“Héctor dedicated his life to fighting for better wages and conditions for all workers,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said after Figueroa’s passing. “Our working families have lost a fierce advocate. We have all lost a dear friend.”

Faith in New Jersey (FINJ) wrote that Figueroa was a “true warrior” who advocated on behalf of the working class, impoverished and oppressed people.

“His passing is a great loss to the 32BJ family, labor and the many lives he has touched through his dedicated service,” the group stated. “FINJ salutes him for the great example of courage and humanity he has demonstrated for us all.”

Figueroa’s sudden passing also inspired words of condolence in tweets from two Democratic presidential candidates: U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

“Héctor’s leadership as president of 32BJ SEIU deeply inspired me, and I’m honored to have known him,” Warren stated.

“Héctor’s legacy amongst some of the hardest-working, and yet overlooked workers, will live on forever with the countless security officers and service sector workers he helped lift into the middle class,” Sanders wrote.

Per request of the family and in lieu of flowers, mourners are encouraged to donate in Figueroa’s name to two causes he deeply cared about:

• The Sunrise Movement, a youth climate change organization
• United We Dream, an immigration advocacy group

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