Johnny Doc reelected to lead Building Trades

John  Dougherty, leader of the politically-connected electricians union, was reelected Wednesday to a four-year term as head the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, an association of unions involved in construction. There had been some rumblings that his leadership would be challenged, but no challenge materialized. Dougherty, who holds the title of business manager of the Council, was reelected by acclamation.

Also reelected was his entire slate, which included Wayne Miller, president of the Building Trades Council, and Patrick Eiding, secretary-treasurer of the Council. All three men have other jobs — Dougherty, sometimes known as “Johnny Doc,” is business manager of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Miller is business manager of Local 692 of Sprinkler Fitters union, and Eiding leads the Philadelphia AFL-CIO.

Dougherty took over the leadership of the council on Dec. 1, 2015, after Patrick Gillespie, the council’s former leader, announced his retirement and shepherded Dougherty into the top spot. Dougherty has been the target of a long-running federal grand jury investigation. His supporters credit Dougherty with creating a hassle-free labor situation at the Democratic National Convention last summer and with raising the profile of the city’s construction workers.

Source: Philly.com