The History

In order to know the full story, you need to know the history. When UNITE HERE members say "UNITE HERE has always represented us", they really mean HERE (Hotel Employees, Restaurant Employees). UNITE HERE wasn't actually formed until 2004, six years ago:

Learn about the union HERE, here!

Despite allegations of HERE being tied to organized crime, Local 57 was a regional union powerhouse in the late 70s and 80s. Lou Sanfilippo is legend among local membership. With a strong and poised demenor, he helped to guide our Local to a true brotherhood with the workers, and was said to negotiate a contract with "a handshake".

But after federal charges that he knowingly associated with an organized crime group and permitted that group to exercise influence over Local 57's affairs, Lou and several others found themselves in an entanglement with the federal government. They reached an agreement which did not constitute an admission by Sanfilippo of any wrongdoing, but barred Sanfilippo from the HEREIU and its constituent entities for life, effective April 24, 1998.

He unfortunately passed in August of 2003, and the age of 88. And we, in Pittsburgh, know that he should be remembered not for that one blemish on his resume (which, remember, he never admitted to!!), but instead for his strong and driven leadership, and that he worked for the workers.

It wasn't until the merger of UNITE and HERE to form UNITE HERE that we began to revitalize.

Locally this meant great things for us, with the financial resources of Bruce Raynor, and the strategic organizing tactics of John Wilhelm, Pittsburgh and Local 57 was poised to reclaim the throne as a union powerhouse.

Shortly after the merger, the Pennsylvania Joint Board became affiliated with Local 57. And we met Sam Williamson.

But Sam's job did not unfold as he expected:

Read about Local 57s trusteeship by UNITE HERE

As you can see, there were some shady dealings going on inside of our Pittsburgh Local. But under Sam's smart and practical leadership, we were able to prevail and move forward toward a better job standard in the city of Pittsburgh.

We began to see significant improvement in contracts. Wage raises were negotiated across the city and a serious improvement in benefits at many units were met.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center actually got a pension!!!


On a local level, we were making things happen again. But on a national level, things were falling apart.

See what Bruce Raynor, former General President of UNITE HERE, had to say about his former union


The marriage between UNITE and HERE did not work. Thus began the messy divorce, and our fight. On a local level, some of us felt we should remain with HERE, the union that had represented us for so long.

But many of us felt that it was past time for a change. While the vote is still debated...a large majority of us voted to leave UNITE HERE and remain with the PA Joint Board and Sam Williamson.

Read the Tribune Review coverage of the local vote.


While again, the vote is still contested by passionate UNITE HERE supporters, its hard to argue against a 784-105 majority vote.

Since then, the fight has gotten ugly, both nationally and locally. And now, today, many members are at ends with each other. Will this ever end?