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NEWS RELEASE August 28, 2007 For more information, contact Steve Houston at 314/721-2828. Mantia Returns to PRIDE of St. Louis, Inc. as Board Member Emeritus Labor Leader Co-Founded Nation’s Oldest Voluntary Construction Labor-Management Organization; Was Labor Co-Chair for 20 Years ST. LOUIS – Dick Mantia, one of the region’s most enduring labor-management visionaries, is returning to the venerable St. Louis construction industry organization he helped co-found 35 years ago. Mantia has been named board member emeritus by PRIDE of St. Louis Inc., the nation’s oldest voluntary construction industry labor-management organization. He will focus on encouraging greater harmony and teamwork in the industry. Mantia was executive secretary-treasurer of the St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO from 1972 to 1992 and a co-founder of PRIDE. He served as its labor co-chair for 20 years and with the late Al Fleischer as management co-chair, addressed contentious issues plaguing the local union construction industry. In 1992, he became an international representative and organizer in his craft union, the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers. He retired from that role earlier this year. “We’re delighted Dick is returning to PRIDE, where he was a deeply respected guiding force,” said Jim LaMantia, PRIDE executive director. “His qualities of leadership will be put to great use as we advance key PRIDE initiatives in the areas of greater productivity, safety and diversity in the union construction industry.” Mantia has been honored numerous times as “Man of the Year” by organizations and publications including City of Hope (1974), St. Louis Construction News & Review (1975), Engineering News Record (ENR) (1976), St. Louis Port Council (1981), U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (1985) and St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council (1998). In 1982, he was lauded by U.S. Secretary of Labor Raymond J. Donovan for his contributions. For 35 years, PRIDE has worked to maintain harmony and build cooperation among St. Louis area AFL-CIO construction craft workers, contractors, construction buyers, architects, engineers and suppliers. PRIDE is an acronym for Productivity and Responsibility Increase Development & Employment.
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