May 29, 2025

Tom Tucker, who’s union activism started in college and led him to leadership positions with UUP and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), is the recipient of the Western New York Area Labor Federation’s lifetime achievement award.

He received the award at the organization’s 2025 Labor Awards Dinner on May 28 in Buffalo.

“I feel very appreciative to have this kind of recognition,” Tucker said. “We don’t do the work we do to be recognized, we do it because we love the work.”

Tucker, who served as UUP’s statewide Vice President for Professionals, was lauded as a union hero by the Western New York ALF for his passion, dedication and devotion to union ideals and the fight to lift up working families.

“As a leader within Stagehands Local 10 (IATSE) and United University Professions (UUP), Tom showed all of us what it means to live by our union values and fight with all your heart,” read a post on the Western New York ALF’s Facebook page. “Tom exemplified the power of solidarity across unions and sectors, always mobilizing his members to provide support anywhere it was needed. He was also a fierce advocate on the statewide stage for issues in WNY.”

A group of Tucker’s UUP siblings from across the state also attended the event, including former interim UUP President and Buffalo State Chapter President Fred Floss; statewide Executive Board members Tom Melendy, Kat Kielar and Lisa Marie Anselmi; Binghamton Chapter President Brendan McGovern; Upstate Chapter President Rich Veenstra; and Buffalo State Chapter Vice President for Professionals Jude Jayatilleke.

Tucker’s long history with organized labor started as a college student when he signed an IATSE Local 10 union card. He joined UUP in 1994 and became active at his campus, Buffalo Center. Tucker held several chapter posts, as vice president for professionals and grievance officer before his election as chapter president.

Tucker was active statewide for UUP, serving as a UUP Negotiations Team member, co-chair of the Outreach Committee, and former statewide VOTE/COPE coordinator. He was elected as statewide vice president for professionals in 2017 and remained in the post until he retired in 2021.

“I really appreciate what UUP did for me by giving me the ability to be recognized,” Tucker said. UUP gave me the pathway. If it wasn’t for UUP, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I did in the labor arena.”

Even as a retiree, Tucker is still involved with UUP; he serves as a UUP representative on the NYSUT Board of Directors and he’s an AFT and NYSUT delegate.

Tucker was also active with IATSE. He served as IATSE Local 10 vice president and was Local 10 president for three years. His term ended Jan. 1.