John T. Niccollai

John T. Niccollai has been affiliated with United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 464A since 1977, coming aboard as Director of Operations. He was elected President in 1982 and has continued to serve in that capacity. During his term as President, the Local Union has seen remarkable growth and has delivered outstanding contracts, which place it among the premier Local Unions within the United States.

John's industry experience commenced at age 11 when he went to work in a family member's Butcher Shop. At age 14, he obtained his working papers and began employment with Food Fair, which continued through his High School years. While attending Law School, he worked part-time as an apprentice butcher at Pathmark. Prior to coming with the Union, John was engaged in a number of businesses, including a slaughterhouse, a packinghouse, and a food processing plant.

Soon after earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, he entered the Navy where he served on active duty in a ground/carrier based hunter/killer anti-submarine squadron. His mission was to fly off the U. S. east coast in search of Soviet submarines. At the conclusion of his active duty in 1962, he entered law school but continued service in the Naval Reserve until his Honorable Discharge in 1969. 

Following graduation from Law School, he served as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey and the First Assistant Prosecutor for the County of Passaic.

As President of the Local Union John is responsible for overall operations, including contract negotiations and the review of investments and finances. He chairs the Executive Board and General Membership Meetings and serves as Chairman of the Joint Board of Trustees that directs the Welfare, Pension, Educational and Building Funds.

On a daily basis, John oversees and directs the activities of the Local's office and field staffs. He reviews grievances, discharges, contract disputes and organizing activities. His duties also include meeting with Investment Advisors and Service Providers.

In addition to his position as President of Local 464A, John serves as the President of the New York/New Jersey District Council, which comprises 18 Local Unions with approximately 250,000 members throughout the Region. He is also an elected Vice President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, and regularly attends meetings to help administrate the operation of the UFCW across the United States and Canada. On a local level, John serves as a Vice President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.

In order to maintain his knowledge and experience in Union leadership, he attends educational programs designed to keep leaders informed about changes in laws and regulations relating to the areas of organizing, dispute resolution and Pension and Health Care Plans.

John holds a degree from the University of Pennsylvania / Wharton School of Business and Finance. He earned a Bachelor of Laws and Doctorate of Jurisprudence Degree from Seton Hall School of Law. He is also a graduate of the National College of District Attorneys.

He has received many prestigious awards and honors including special recognition as an outstanding labor leader from the United States House of Representatives and the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly. In addition, he has received the coveted Samuel L. Gompers Distinguished Labor Leader Award. He has been presented with the Studer Award for Outstanding Service to the Community from Montclair State University, the Distinguished Service to Safety Award from the National Safety Council and the International Humanitarian Award from Boys' Town of Italy.

Ramon Rando

Ramon Rando became a union member in 1948 and enjoys one of the longest continuing tenures of any Local 464A member. Today he serves as the Secretary Treasurer and is a member of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Board.

His career began at the age of 13 when he went to work in a local superette. Food stores at that time were not yet unionized and he toiled long hours scraping blocks for the butchers and cutting chickens. At 14 he obtained his working papers and continued working throughout his high school years in a number of departments including deli, dairy, fruits and vegetables.

After graduating from high school he joined A&P and was immediately sent to school to become a meat cutter. He served in this capacity for several years at the A&P on Washington Street in Paterson, NJ. He was recognized for his skills and A&P began to move him among its various departments to prepare him for a store management position. Then the Korean conflict intervened and he entered the service.

Following his discharge as a Staff Sergeant, Ramon entered the building trade as a carpenter, but the lure of his former success in the food industry brought him back to A&P where he quickly ascended to produce manager.

In 1967 Local 464A recruited him to become a Business Agent supporting northern portions of New Jersey as well as parts of New York and Pennsylvania. He was promoted to Vice President in 1982 and appointed Secretary Treasurer in 1987. He has been elected Secretary Treasurer ever since. In this role he guides the fiscal policies of the Local including investment strategies and, he regularly reports financial status to the Local’s membership.

Ramon attended Seton Hall University where he studied business administration. He has done volunteer work on behalf of the American Heart Association, Leukemia Foundation and Boys Towns of Italy, Inc. He is the recipient of citations for Outstanding Service to Safety by the National Safety Council and a certificate of High Merit from Boys Towns of Italy, Inc.

Frank Hanley, Jr.

Frank Hanley, Jr. joined UFCW Local 464A in 1980. Today, twenty-seven years later, he remains having honed his skills in a number of key positions from his first job as Assistant Contract Administrator to his current role as Recorder, a leadership position to which the membership has elected him twice. Along the way he has served as the Local’s chief Contract Administrator and its Director of Operations. He earned his industry experience with A&P in Northvale, NJ working nights while attending school.

As Recorder he fulfills a myriad of duties including the official recording of minutes from Board of Trustee, Executive Board and General Membership meetings. Under the direction of the President, he also supervises the activities of the Union’s Business Agents and Service Representatives, and oversees all arbitrations.

A typical day will find Frank dealing with as many as 10 grievances – determining their validity and shepherding them through a rigorous vetting process as well as the provisions of the governing Collective Bargaining Agreements. He receives dozens of calls each day from members and employers seeking his interpretation of contract language. He oversees all arbitration matters including the filing of notices to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and the New Jersey and New York Boards of Mediation. He attends and represents the Union at all arbitration hearings and maintains all records of their deliberations.

Frank is a graduate of The State University of New York at Plattsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science and Contract Law. He has participated in the Harvard University Trade Union Program, the UFCW Leadership Institute at Pennsylvania State University, and the Program in Advanced Arbitration Advocacy sponsored by the American Arbitration Association. While at Plattsburg he was a linebacker on the University’s football team and has maintained his interest in athletics through volunteer work supporting athletic teams at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY and Saint Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY.