On July 29, 2024, the Long Island Association (LIA) held its fourth annual LIA Golf Classic. Members of the business community enjoyed a day of golf and networking at two prestigious courses, Glen Head Country Club and Nassau Country Club, and celebrated the significant impact that John R. Durso, President of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW and the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, has had on Long Island’s workforce and economic growth at the Evening Reception.

Matt Cohen, LIA President & CEO, said, “It couldn’t be more fitting that the inaugural Golf Classic honoree is John Durso, who is a champion for Long Island’s working families and has advocated for economic development in Nassau and Suffolk Counties that resulted in the creation of countless jobs. I am deeply grateful for his guidance and support throughout my career and thank him for his service to Long Island.”

Larry Waldman, Chair of the LIA Board of Directors, said, “It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with John as a fellow member of the LIA Board of Directors and he is most deserving on this honor. John knows how to get things done, and I commend him for his commitment to ensuring Long Island is a superior place to live and work.”

John R. Durso, President of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCE and the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said, “I am proud to have played a part in what LIA has accomplished for Long Island’s working families. To have those efforts recognized by my colleagues and fellow board members at the Long Island Association is a great honor, and I look forward to continuing our work to improve the lives of working people across Long Island. Thank you.” 

The Honorable Antonio Delgado, New York State Lieutenant Governor, said, “The Long Island Association is essential to ensuring Long Island remains a leader in economic growth by working on behalf of and advocating for the thousands of businesses that are critical to Long Island's prosperity. I was honored to attend this year's Golf Classic Evening Reception to further strengthen our administration's partnership with the Association, and to honor my friend and a true champion for the folks of organized labor, John Durso."

Since 1999, John R. Durso has served as the President of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW, a labor union that represents over 13,000 working men and women across New York State and parts of New Jersey. Local 338 members are employed in a variety of different industries and roles including in grocery and food retail, drug stores and retail pharmacy chains, healthcare and human services, and cannabis, amongst others.  John is also the President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, the fourth largest central labor council in the United States, representing 250,000 union members in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, a role he has held since 2005. He serves as an International Vice President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Vice President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) – a Council within the UFCW - and is a Vice President of the New York City Central Labor Council. He holds many other Board positions with organizations on Long Island and in New York State, including the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, and has been recognized by regional, national, and global organizations for his accomplishments.

About the Long Island Association (LIA): The LIA is the region’s leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community. The LIA works to ensure the region’s economic vitality.

Long Island’s future is our business. www.longislandassociation.org.