International Vice President Ray Rivera Retires

International Vice President Ray Rivera announced his retirement, effective October 1, after 56 years as a dedicated and committed member of the ATU.

“Few can say that they have given over 50 years of their life to their union,” said International President John International Vice President Costa, “but Ray has done just Ray Rivera that. It’s impossible to calculate how many members have benefited from Ray’s work over the years. Suffice it to say that his dedicated service has improved the lives of countless working families throughout his time with ATU. We will miss him and wish him all the best in retirement.”

Rivera joined ATU Local 1202 in New York City in 1964, when he was employed as a Greyhound operator. He served the Local as a shop steward. In 1972, he transferred to Local 1210 in Philadelphia, and, subsequently, became a member of Local 1238, after moving his family to Jacksonville, FL.

Rivera was elected a shop steward of the Local 1238 in 1981, and Local President in 1983. In 1985, he put together a merger of three over-the-road locals in the Southeast into a new Local 1600. He was elected President of Local 1600.

Rivera served as President of Local 1600 and played a key role in the Greyhound strike. In 1993, he was appointed as an International Representative/Organizer, where he focused on organizing the over-the-road industry. In 2009, he was appointed as an International Vice President. Rivera was formally elected IVP at the 2010 ATU International Convention, and continually re-elected to that position before retiring this October.