Public Employee Press

Joe Nazario, labor and Latino activist


Longtime union activist Joe Nazario passed away Dec. 30 after a career of service to working people and the Latino community.

He began working for the city in 1972 at Metropolitan Hospital and served as a Welfare Fund trustee, Health and Hospitals Corp. chapter chair and associate treasurer in Social Service Employees Union Local 371.

Nazario worked as a council rep for DC 37 before returning to the local in 2002 when members elected him secretary treasurer.

"He was a strong leader, a wise advisor and a good friend," said Local 371 President Anthony Wells.

Nazario was a founding member of DC 37's Latino Heritage Committee and a member of the executive board of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).

"Whatever the LCLAA battle was you could always count on Joe," said Local 372 President Santos Crespo Jr., who was active in many organizations and committees with Nazario.

"He was like a very caring uncle to me, and his contributions to DC 37 and LCLAA were tremendous," said Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez.

Nazario is survived by his daughter Ana Maria Claudio and several grand children.