Daniel Espo is a Harvard Law School graduate who is truly a down-to-earth and committed person. As Daniel worked through college and law school, he witnessed firsthand how employers mistreated the workers and took advantage of his co-workers and others who he felt (for whatever reason) couldn’t fight for themselves. This sparked a desire in him early on, a desire to give back to become an advocate for those who needed someone in their corner. He worked for a period of time as a Tenant Lawyer for a NYC non-profit, fighting for tenants’ rights.
In 2021, Daniel applied for a Union Representative position at Local 2013; during his interview with the Local’s President and General Counsel, they pressed him on WHY he wanted this role given his law degree. Daniel’s response was honest and passionate: “I have been fortunate in my life – I had a good family life, I was able to attend a good college and go onto law school to pursue my dreams… I’ve been very fortunate. I want to help others, and I feel this is an extremely important role where I/we can help workers when they need it most… to be the advocate for those who are being taken advantage of by greedy employers or those who are being oppressed by employers trying to keep workers down and/or play on their fears.”
Those answers left a strong impression. While his direct Labor experience was new to him, it was clear that he had both the decency and the drive to make a difference along with the capacity to learn quickly. Daniel has done just that. He has spent time in the trenches fighting for members’ rights, enforcing contracts, resolving wrongful terminations, achieving monetary grievance settlements, and ensuring members receive the PROPER level of benefits they are entitled to.
Daniel believes: “The Union is the instrument with which workers exercise their power, express their voice, and enforce their right to have control over their own working conditions.” In 2023, Daniel was promoted to the position of Collective Bargaining Representative (CBR). Daniel has quickly embraced the role, working to improve the Union contracts that affect members’ daily lives-and by extension, the lives of their families.