Terence M. O'Sullivan

Terence M. O'Sullivan has been General President of LIUNA – the Laborers' International Union of North America – since January 1, 2000. He is known as an innovator among the newest generation of labor leaders dedicated to aggressive and sometimes radical approaches designed to increase the power of working people in the 21st Century.

O'Sullivan has guided the more than 500,000 collective bargaining members of LIUNA to the forefront of the labor movement, reshaping the Union into one of the fastest-growing, most aggressive and progressive unions in North America. Despite the decline in overall union membership in the U.S., LIUNA has shown steady and consistent growth.

LIUNA members literally and figuratively build America with their work in construction, hazardous waste remediation, state and municipal government, the Postal Service, health care, maintenance and food service.

Since taking office, O'Sullivan has restructured and refined the union's goals, programs, and services. Under his leadership, the Union has adopted "organize or die" as its day-to-day motto, while at the same time increasing its commitment to member activism, capital strategies, grassroots politics, labor-management cooperation, apprenticeship, training and education.

At LIUNA’s 2006 Convention, O’Sullivan led delegates to an historic commitment for helping more workers join the union with the passage of resolutions that will raise more than $100 million a year for organizing – more than any construction union and more than virtually any union in North America. He also led the charge for greater political strength with unprecedented commitments for voter registration, member activism and fundraising.

O'Sullivan is widely known as a fiery speaker who motivates and inspires his audience to action at rallies, conventions, meetings and other events.

O’Sullivan is a long-time, vocal supporter and activist for Sinn Fein to secure peace, justice and a united Ireland. He is Executive Vice President of D.C. Friends of Ireland and President of New York Friends of Ireland.

He is also a member of the Governing Board of Presidents of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO and a member of the Leadership Council of the Change to Win labor union federation. O’Sullivan is a current member of the Board of Directors of Ullico Inc., and past Chairman and CEO of the insurance and financial services provider. He also serves on the Board of Directors of America’s Agenda: Health Care for All, and is a member of the Management Committee of Americans for Transportation Mobility.


Before becoming LIUNA General President, O'Sullivan served the union as a Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager, and Assistant to the General President. He has also served as Administrator of the West Virginia Laborers' Training Center.

A proud native of San Francisco, he joined LIUNA in 1974 and is a long-time member of Local Union 1353, Charleston, West Virginia.