The EmblemHealth Heroes of Labor Awards, bestowed in partnership with LaborPress, Inc., began in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy to honor labor leaders who go above and beyond for their members. This year we shine a spotlight on the dynamic leaders who keep New York City moving – Gloria Middleton, President, Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180; Robert C. “Bobby” Eustace, President, Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA); Detective Scott Munro, President, the Detectives’ Endowment Association. These leaders remind us of the resilience, dedication, and heart it takes to keep our city up and running. Join us in celebrating New York City’s everyday champions and learn more about them below.
Gloria Middleton has spent her career fighting for working people and advancing equity in the labor movement. As President of CWA Local 1180, she became the first African American and first woman to lead the 9,000-member union. A skilled negotiator and champion for workers’ rights, she has secured major contract victories for thousands of New York City employees and helped achieve a landmark $15 million discrimination settlement for union members. A nationally recognized advocate for civil rights and labor justice, Middleton has dedicated decades to empowering workers, strengthening unions, and ensuring that all working people have a strong voice on the job and in their communities.
Robert C. “Bobby” Eustace has dedicated his career to serving and protecting New Yorkers as both an FDNY firefighter and labor leader. Beginning his public service as an EMT, he answered the call at Ground Zero in the aftermath of September 11, an experience that deepened his commitment to firefighter health, safety, and advocacy. He spent 17 years with Bronx Ladder Company 27, one of the FDNY’s busiest companies, before rising to leadership roles within the UFA. As a tireless advocate for firefighters and their families, Eustace has championed safety, benefits, pensions, and workplace protections, making a lasting impact on New York’s labor movement and the communities it serves.
Scott Munro has dedicated more than 30 years to public service as an NYPD detective, labor leader, and community advocate. After a distinguished law enforcement career, he rose through the ranks of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, serving in multiple leadership roles before being elected President in 2024. A champion for workers’ rights and first responders, Munro has fought to strengthen benefits, workplace protections, and support for thousands of active and retired detectives. His lifelong commitment to service extends beyond the NYPD through his leadership in the fire service and local community.
