UFCW Local 371 President Brian Petronella Dies

The president of United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 371, Brian A. Petronella, 54, died at home Friday night, the union has announced.

"A tragic loss has been suffered by the officers, staff, executive board, and members of the UFCW Local 371," the union said in a news release.

Local 371 is headquartered on Post Road West in Westport.

Petronella's cause of death was not released.

 In March, Patch reported Petronella shouted out the results of successful contract negotiations with Stop & Shop supermarkets in a pep rally atmosphere in a New Haven hotel, with the union members in attendance ratifying the agreement by voice vote.

Last Sunday the local announced beverage department employees of Foxwoods Casino voted 190 to 145 in favor of joining the UFCW.

" You have worked hard, and stuck together, and you should truly be proud of yourselves," the local said in an on-line message to its new members.

In a news release Saturday, Ned Lamont, Democratic candidate for governor who had Local 371's support, said, "Brian dedicated his entire life to fighting for working families, for jobs that pay a fair wage, and for safe working conditions and fair benefits.  Annie and I send our thoughts and prayers to Brian's wife, Elaine, the rest of his family, and his brothers and sisters at UFCW Local 371."

 From a biography of Petronella posted by the Connecticut AFL-CIO:

Brian Petronella became a member of Local 371 with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, AFL, in 1972.

On February 8, 1977, Petronella was appointed a Local 371 organizer and participated in a number of successful organizing campaigns. In 1980 he was elected as a business agent and served the membership in lower Fairfield County.

Petronella participated in a number of contract negotiations with various companies under contract with Local 371 UFCW. On March 16, 1982, the Local 371 executive board elected Peetronella to the office of Executive Vice-President. In 1989 Petronella served as Secretary-Treasurer to Local 371 UFCW until his election as president in April 1999.

On February 3, 2000, in addition to being president of Local 371 UFCW, Petronella was elected UFCW International Vice-President. He served as trustee on the UFCW International Union-Industry Pension Fund and was a trustee of Local 371 Amalgamated Welfare Trust Fund. 

Petronella served as president of the Fairfield County Labor Council for ten years. He was elected a general vice president of the Connecticut state AFL-CIO on March 23, 1999.

Petronella served on the board's of the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County and the United Way of Norwalk, Connecticut. He was a delegate to the 2000 and 2004 Democratic conventions.

Petronella was named a 2009 MS Corporate Achiever for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Connecticut Chapter. He also was involved in the formation of the Local 371 UFCW Women's Network, which provides food to various food banks, and sponsors Christmas and Easter drives for disadvantaged children. 

Petronella graduated from Wilton High School in 1974 and attended Norwalk Community College and the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Harvard University Trade Program in 1978.