The annual Irish Echo Labor Awards in New York became a platform for a renewed commitment to workers’ rights and cross-Atlantic solidarity, as New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli pledged to deepen ties with organized labor and Ireland.
Addressing the Echo’s 15th annual celebration of Irish American labor leaders, DiNapoli praised the honorees for their role in “exemplifying the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity that’s paramount to the labor movement.” He singled out Teamsters president Sean O’Brien as a “hugely successful” figure in winning contracts for American workers and paid tribute to the late Danny Donohue, former head of the Civil Service Employees Association, describing him as a “tireless fighter for working people.”
The Comptroller drew on his own upbringing in a union household, recalling his father’s work as a CWA shop steward and his mother’s representation by CSEA. “I would not be where I am today without the economic security that unions brought to our family,” he told the gathering. TRIBUTE: Aoife Ní Mhuirí of Salaso Healthcare presents her Labor Ambassador award to Suzanne Hughes Fuller of the Town of Harrison
DiNapoli highlighted New York’s $361 million in investments across Ireland, north and south, through the state’s Common Retirement Fund, with $106 million targeted directly to the North. He cited successful investments in technology, healthcare and manufacturing, and the recent exit from Kingsbridge Healthcare Group, and reaffirmed his office’s adherence to the MacBride Principles, the anti-discrimination standards first enacted by New York in 1992.
Over recent months, the NY Common Retirement Fund has taken a stake in Belfast companies Axial 3D, IceMos and Cirdan.
Irish Americans have played an integral role in this country’s labor movement. Great to join the @IrishEcho Awards celebration in NYC to honor awardees and celebrate their contributions to working men and women in our state. Congrats to all! pic.twitter.com/EAn6rtBoCD
— Thomas P. DiNapoli (@NYSComptroller) September 13, 2025
“These commitments are a win-win for workers in both New York and Northern Ireland,” said Comptroller DiNapoli.
But he warned of gathering threats to unions from Washington. “Policies continue to threaten the wins we’ve secured—cuts to healthcare, layoffs of federal workers, attacks on collective bargaining rights. It’s all part of a larger effort to reduce the power of unions. But we will not let them win,” he insisted.
The evening concluded with DiNapoli presenting an award to Patrick Kelleher, a first-generation Irish American and longtime leader in the building trades. Other honorees included Kansas Asadoorian, Gregory Lalevee, Jennifer Flynn, Suzanne Hughes Fuller, Thomas Hurley, Mary Jane Bertram, Shaun Murphy, Trevor Holloway, David O’Brien Suetholz and Thomas Cleary.
Among the attendees was the new Consul General of Ireland in New York, Gerald Angley.
