Robert Aponte
Robert Aponte is both an Executive Board member and Trustee. He started with New York City Transit Authority in 2001 as a High Pressure Plant Tenderer (HPPT) after working 15 years in the private sector. His transition to the public sector came about from a desire for job stability, a pension, and benefits – all things not guaranteed in the private sector. While he was part of a union at the time, Robert said the experience was quite different from Local 983.
“If we wanted anything but the basics, it fell upon us to do it individually. If we wanted a pension for example, it was not part of the package. I would have to go to the company, not the union, and deal with them.” Robert’s experience in both worlds has given him the first-hand knowledge to know exactly how to best represent Local 983 members. He believes that serving on the Executive Board gives him a chance to help make a difference in the lives of all members.