Patrick “Duke” Dujakovich, the newly appointed President of the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO Labor Council, has some big pumps to fill.

Dujakovich freely admits that following his predecessor, Bridgette Williams; the first woman, and first African American, to serve as president of a labor council nationwide, is a formidable task.

"She's got a pretty interesting bio," said Pat "Duke" Dujakovich, who is a Battalion chief with the KCMO Fire Department and member of the I.A.F.F. Local 42. "She's definitely going to be a tough act to follow, there's no doubt about it."

But, these aren't the only accolades for Williams, who resigned the organization's top post to lead the Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City.

The respect for Williams began when she assumed leadership during a tumultuous time in the Kansas City labor scene. Their former president, Mike Fischer, also a firefighter, who was convicted on state charges of corruption and forced to resign. Williams was appointed to the presidency in 1997 and was later elected to lead the group.

Organized labor in area had a gained a bad reputation—from a decade of scandals and infighting—but through the strong leadership of Ms. Williams, the umbrella organization—which represents 85,000 Union workers around Greater Kansas City--began to rebuild its credibility in the community.

During her 12-year tenure, Williams worked to regain much of its previous power and influence for Labor Council. Williams was not without critics. Several local unions including the United Auto Workers, the Teamsters and Kansas City Federation of Teachers grew dissatisfied with Williams' leadership and withdrew membership.

In addition, Williams faced stiff opposition in 2003 as she ran for re-election from Chere Chaney, of CWA local 6450, whose nomination spurred several local labor unions to reinstate their membership. The election was contested after Chaney and supporters claimed that delegates from unions who supported her were not given as much voting strength, affecting the outcome. After another vote, Williams won over Chaney by slightly more than 1,000 votes. 

Chaney, declined to comment on past controversies surrounding the council, but rejoiced at the news of Williams' departure. She believes the Kansas City area labor movement is in good hands with the newly named leaders, Duke and Pat Julo, the council’s new secretary-treasurer.

"It (the new leadership) is the best thing that's happened to the labor movement in the last 10 years," said Chaney, the Missouri Legislative Chair of the C.W.A. local 6450. "He (Duke) has got to be a better leader than she (Williams) was. I'm not interested in putting a negative spin on anything. Labor has had enough mud slung...it's just a great day."

Andrea Flinders, President of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers, said her union group was one that withdrew its AFL-CIO membership for a time, but re-joined sometime last year. She also declined to comment on the teacher group's history with the council but sees the new leadership is definitely a good sign.

"When union organizations are united, their voices are heard and we just felt it was important to be a part of the central labor organization," said Flinders.

After Williams’ sudden departure, the council’s executive board named “Duke” as acting president and Pat Julo as acting secretary-treasurer to fulfill the remaining 18 months of her term. Both were nominated for their positions by Williams, and will serve from January 1st, 2010 until they stand for election in July 2011.  Both currently plan to run for their respective seats.

In addition to the day-to-day operations of the labor union, as leaders, the two will represent Kansas City area labor members at regional, state and national labor conventions.

Duke said of Williams' efforts at regaining membership and, subsequently, confidence, "My job's going to be pretty easy." Julo said, "We don't want to lose the bridges she's built...we want to continue that."

Julo said the executive board's vote that allows him to temporarily assume the position of secretary-treasurer sends a message.

"They know I'm going to be a direct communicator and not do one thing and tell another," said Julo, a Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas Pipe Trades (MINK) member, who also serves as a delegate and trustee of the Missouri State Building Trades. "I'm a bridge builder, not a fence builder and they know I'll try to get everybody working together."

Julo added that his many professional and labor affiliations make him well equipped for the labor council job. "I have a lot of professional and personal acquaintances," he said. "I communicate with a lot of people in a lot of different areas."

While the two new leaders praise Williams' efforts, they admit there is room for improvement and the first order is improving and modernizing communication, said Dujakovich, whose father was a sheet metal worker and grandfather a steel worker.

The group has purchased three new computers, including a new server and plans to utilize email, facebook and perhaps, twitter, to stay connected with members.

"I think communication between everybody will be more open," said Julo, who is business manager for the Pipefitters' Local. Julo added that his background as one of eight children has caused him to assume a role of helping others and he sees this position as aligning with that philosophy.

"You just try to help everybody every way you can," Julo said, adding that his mom, Patricia, operates a food pantry at a local Catholic church. "It's about being in a position to help more people."

Duke said a main component of his job would be continuing with Williams' efforts at keeping members aligned.

"You can't make everybody happy, but we need to stay organized to work for similar goals...what's best for the labor movement,” said Dujakovich.

Julo added that sometimes that means declining to endorse a candidate for political office if it's not in the best interest of the majority of the AFL-CIO's membership.

While Williams has laid the groundwork for a fairly smooth transition, Duke and Julo agreed that they face other challenges like the current recession.

"Everything we've lost during this economic setback, we'll have to fight for," said Dujakovich. "All the locals have made concessions. We've got to be united.” adding that the unions will again garner wage and other concessions "only through solidarity."