Jack Ahern, business manager and financial secretary of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 30, was formally unveiled on Monday at the Irish Consulate as the grand marshal of the 2014 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Ahern, a native of Brooklyn who was born to Jack and Margaret Ahern from Co Cork, has held his position with IUOE since 1999. He has successfully negotiated hundreds of strong wage and benefit contracts on behalf of the 4,500 plus Local 30 members.

Ahern served as co-chair of the task force on public benefit agreements, which was part of the New York City comptroller’s commitment to examine city development deals that feature specific promises of affordable housing and job creation.

He was at the forefront in urging Congress to pass affordable health care and to pass the Employee Free Choice Act to give workers the freedom to join unions without employer interference. 

“Jack Ahern is an outstanding Irish American who has devoted a huge amount of his energy and charisma contributing to the legacy of the Irish in this great country. We are delighted he accepted the honor to lead us on March 17 and we look forward to a wonderful day celebrating our Irish heritage with Jack Ahern at the helm. We are delighted Jack has been selected as the 2014 Grand Marshal and thank him for his support of labor and immigration reform” said parade chairman John Dunleavy.

The 253rd annual parade will take place on Monday, March 17.