phillylabor

Legends of Labor

Hall of Fame

Menu
Menu

Legends of Labor

Hall of Fame

Bio details

Patrick B. Gillespie Sr.

Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council
Business Manager 
(1982-2015)

The Philadelphia union community is the premier union region in America and the reason for that is our great leadership across the board. One of the primary reasons for that is the leadership of Pat Gillespie and the example he set for so many labor leaders who have followed in his footsteps at the Building Trades, The AFL- CIO and at the local union levels.
Said one labor leader, “Pat Gillespie’s influence secured so many major jobs and projects throughout the Philadelphia region “When you look at the skyline of Philadelphia we should envision Pat Gillespie’s face smiling back at us”
– Pat Gillespie was a true American as after high school, he was drafted into the Army and served in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
– He was a member and officer of Local 542 of the International Union of Operating Engineers
– He was a member of the PA. House of Representatives, where he served Delaware County residents in the 162nd District from 1975 to 1977.
– He served as Business Manager of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, from 1982 until his retirement in 2015.
– Pat sat on countless boards including as chair of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation board, where he oversaw the awarding of millions in charitable grants.
– Pat was instrumental at placing many of our Philadelphia area union leaders on the many boards of directors across the region so that we could be a part of the process and impact change at the highest levels.
– He spearheaded opportunities for minorities in the trades as well as fairness in the workplace.
– He also fought for safety, drug testing, and counseling for workers in need.
Pat also served as mentors to many labor leaders including his successors. John J. Dougherty and Ryan Boyer, both who lauded his influence on their careers. 
“The lives, the families and the livelihoods that Pat Gillespie Impacted, including my own, literally can not be measured”, John Dougherty 
“He never lost sight of the importance of service, “Those of us who served in labor leadership roles today stand on the shoulders of men like Pat Gillespie. They don’t make them like that anymore.” Ryan Boyer.