Laborers Local 110’s Jose Gomez to lead union after Ronny Griffin retires

First Hispanic business manager in history of St. Louis Labor Movement

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Missouri Correspondent

Sunset Hills, MO – Jose Gomez, vice president and business agent of Laborers Local 110, will be taking the reigns as business manager when Ronny Griffin retires on Jan. 31.

The promotion makes Gomez the first Hispanic business manager in the history of the St. Louis Labor Movement. Local 110 Business Agent Brad Wilfong will become vice president when Gomez takes his new position.

Gomez is a man of many firsts. He moved to St. Louis in 1998, and since joining Local 110 in 2006, he has served as the first Hispanic business agent, executive board trustee, pension board trustee, welfare board trustee alternate and vice president in the history of Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) in Missouri.

‘HONOR OF MY LIFETIME’
“This is the honor of my lifetime to be the person to lead this union,” Gomez told the Labor Tribune. “My goals are to preserve what we have and to be an asset to this union and continue to grow membership and improve benefits for our 3,500 members. I hope to build a strong relationship with each and every member.”

Griffin has served as business manager since Don Willey retired in 2021. He became a member of Local 110 in 1978. Gomez was recommended for the  business manager position by Griffin and was elected with the full support of the Local 110 Executive Board.

“It is with bittersweet emotion that I have decided to retire after 45 years,” Griffin said. “I never feel like I’ve done enough for the membership, but I am proud and humbled to have had the opportunity to serve. I am confident I am leaving the local in good hands with this Executive Board and with Jose as business manager. I know they will continue to carry this great local forward.”

ACCOLADES
Gomez has received numerous accolades in the last few months. Most recently, he was recognized by the St. Louis Board of Alderman for his advocacy for Hispanic and Latino workers – and all workers in the St. Louis region. The resolution noted Gomez’s exemplary philanthropic record of helping all laborers looking for work, and successfully advocating for funding to a myriad of organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Hispanic Leaders Group, the St. Louis Colombian Society, the Hispanic Bar Association, the Hispanic Scholarship Alliance and the St. Louis Area Food Bank.

Gomez is also a 2023 recipient of the Hispanic Leaders Group (HLG) of Greater St. Louis’ Premio Esperanza (Hope) Award, which recognizes exceptional individuals who have a record of commitment to the betterment of the Hispanic community over the years through noteworthy contributions.

Through his work with the International LiUNA Latino Caucus and numerous other organizations, Gomez has been a strong advocate for a diverse and inclusive workforce in the St. Louis area. He continues his mission of passionately empowering not only Hispanic and Latino workers in St. Louis, but all workers who deserve a stable job, safe working conditions, a livable wage, pride, dignity and ultimately a better life.