PROFILES

MIKE C. PAGANO - ‘You get to make a difference’

Mike Pagano was headed for a career in teaching when he took a small detour, a summer job as a Laborer in New York City.

That was in 1972, fresh from graduation from Lycoming College, where he was an economics and political science major at the small liberal arts school in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley.

But once back in his home state, the Marlboro, N.Y., native was hooked on labor. What followed were three decades of working for, with and in the Laborers’ union. He can’t imagine having done anything else.

“I never did take a job as a teacher, but I sure learned a lot being in the union,” said Mike, who officially retired in February. At the time of his retirement, he was executive director of the NYS Laborers’ Health & Safety Trust Fund, a job he held for seven years.

  “I started as a field rep and ended with the Fund, and I’ve had just about every job in between,” he said, speaking about his retirement and early days as a Laborer from his home in Poinciana, Fla.

  “I’m a third-generation Laborer,” he proudly noted. He is the son of Michael C. Pagano Sr., who worked as a rep for the International until his death, and the grandson of Antonio Pagano, who founded one of the first locals in New York City.

Mike began working with LIUNA as a member of Local 104 in Manhattan, which later would be consolidated with several other locals into Mason Tenders Local 79.

In 1974, he was named field rep; in 1991, he began his affiliation with the Health & Safety Fund, helping to promote occupational health and safety, and educate workers, management and the government about worksite hazards affecting members.

“I was involved with a host of programs and projects, including highway safety and building construction safety, legislation and preparing educational materials for our members and contractors,” he said. Among the most gratifying, he noted, were awareness campaigns involving the use of safety cones and other regulations on highway construction projects and the use of masks to block silica and asbestos exposure.

“A lot of people don’t realize that construction is one of the most hazardous jobs there is,” he said. “Our Health & Safety Fund has been way out in front on such issues as lead, asbestos, hazardous front on such issues as lead, asbestos, hazardous waste abatement and health care costs.”

In addition to being a unionist, Mike spent 14 years as an Ulster County legislator, from 1977-91. And after 40 years with the Laborers, he is now in a position to pursue his other passion – golf. With his recent move to Florida, he’s able to take to the links daily. He and his wife, Sharon, enjoy the more relaxing lifestyle.

But the union tradition continues – son Mike, 31, is an International rep for LIUNA. The Paganos also have a daughter, Shayne, 27, who works for a Dutchess County program that helps troubled teens.

“I have always felt an affinity for the Laborers,” Mike said. “It’s been great working with people like Armand Sabitoni, Ray Pocino, Vinnie Masino, Steve Hammond and Jim Melius. The work is very satisfying, and you get to make a difference in the quality of life for our members and contractors.”

Return to Tri-Fund Magazine, August 2003