James F. Hanley has been Commissioner of Labor in New York City for 15 years working under three very different Mayors to serve the City well without totally alienating the union leaders with whom he negotiates. His latest challenge will be to negotiate a contract with the City's teachers, police officers, and firefighters who are seeking raises in excess of 10 percent over the next three years with no concessions, and the City's Mayor who has directed him to agree to raises only if the unions agree to money saving concessions.
See "Commissioner of Labor, and, Yes, a Workhorse", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, June 30, 2004