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Vincent R. Sombrotto, the longtime leader of the National Association of Letter Carriers has died in New York at age 89.

Sombrotto began his postal career as a part-time letter carrier in New York City in 1947. In 1970, despite holding no elected office in the union, Sombrotto took up leadership of the historic wildcat strike of letter carriers and other postal workers which led to the creation of the modern United States Postal Service and full collective-bargaining rights for postal workers.



At the time of the strike, letter carrier wages were at poverty levels and postal workers depended on federal legislation to set wages and conditions. Under Sombrotto's leadership, letter carriers first walked off the job in New York City, and were followed by postal workers around the United States within days. The strike brought the Post Office to a halt, despite President Richard Nixon's attempt to use the military to sort and deliver the mail.



In 1971, Sombrotto was elected to lead NALC New York City Branch 36. In 1978, he was elected to serve as NALC's 16th national president where he would go on to serve seven terms.



Under his national leadership, letter carriers won significant gains in wages and benefits in each contract and the NALC became an active political force in Washington and around the country.



A veteran of the Navy, Sombrotto brought a life dedicated to service to the NALC. Under his leadership, the union raised tens of millions of dollars in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and began the community watch program, Carrier Alert. In 1992, NALC launched its Stamp Out Hunger food drive, which collects and donates millions of pounds of food each year for local food pantries.



UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings recalls Sombrotto fondly in a letter to the NALC: "Vince is truly a giant in American labour history. Under his leadership, NALC consistently delivered for its members, became a respected political and social force and helped to build an American postal system that is admired all around the world. I can attest that UNI Global Union and the world's postal workers are stronger for the example that Vince and NALC have provided for so many years."



Sombrotto is survived by his wife, Rae, seven children and 14 grandchildren.