Manufacturing Divisions

“F” Division member Anthony J. Esponda was appointed Business Representative at the general membership meeting April 13, 2006. In his remarks to the general membership, Anthony stated he is proud to accept the position and grateful for the confidence expressed by former Business Manager Thomas Van Arsdale and the general membership in their support of his appointment. He pledged to continue to work to serve the interests of the membership of the Union with the same enthusiasm he has had throughout his career.

Initiated into Local 3, IBEW in 1979, Anthony was employed in the fixture industry. He was active in union affairs under former Assistant Business Manager Louis Stein and has performed services on behalf of the Fixture Division throughout his career. From 1992 through 2001, he worked as a foreman.

Highly skilled in the art of manufacturing and its changing technology, Anthony was initially trained in CNC computerized manufacturing techniques in 1989 and has continued his education at every opportunity. He served as co-chairman of the Fixture Division and was appointed Chief Shop Steward at Edison Price in 2001. Local 3 went on strike against Edison Price Manufacturing in November 2004. Anthony was the strike captain, maintaining the solidarity of the striking workers.

As a rank-and-file member in the Manufacturing Division, he has worked in nearly every facet of the manufacturing sector of the electrical industry. He began his career as a general helper, became a sheet metal mechanic and worked in the engineering department as a fabricator programmer, where he learned AutoCAD and CNC computer software programs for production purposes. Since 1992 he has worked as foreman in various capacities in the manufacturing process.

In July 2005, he was hired to be the night foreman for the utility workers at Madison Square Garden. The work consisted of the set-up, break-down and clean-up of the Garden during special events such as concerts, circuses, sports and all scheduled events.

Anthony is a member of the Electrical Security Loan Fund Committee; the 419 Spartan Club, where he served as treasurer; Local 3, IBEW Manufacturing Employment Committee; and is an instructor in the Citizenship Responsibility Class. He is a graduate of the former Eli Whitney Vocational High School (renamed Harry Van Arsdale Jr. High School). He has also completed the two-year course in sheet metal and blueprint reading, the Bayberry Land Manufacturing Critical Thinking Classes and has represented Local 3 at various IBEW Manufacturing Conferences.

Anthony and his wife, Wanda, have three children: Christina, Anthony Jr. and Vanessa.