In 1980, William D. (Bill) Candelori, a commercial painter, was initiated into the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Local Union 1107, District Council 21 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a journeyman.
In 1982, Bill observed an opportunity to get involved with his Union as an active trade unionist and prepared for his first race for an elected office. He was voted in to serve as Warden of a Local Union 1107, as well as a Delegate member to District Council 21.
In 1984, he continued his pursuit as a fulltime union activist, and was elected Business Representative to District Council 21. And in 1990, Bill was elected principle officer of the District Council as the Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, at that time representing nine local unions.
Progressively, Bill’s role expanded to included serving as Vice President to the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council; Vice President of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO; Executive Board member of the Pennsylvania State Building Trades Council. In the mid 1990’s his peers elected him President of the then Pennsylvania State Conference of Painters; and he was also appointed to serve on the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
In 1996, he was elected to serve as the first Secretary-Treasurer of the newly formed IUPAT Eastern Regional Conference of Painters and Allied Trades, encompassing twelve District Councils.
In 1998, Bill was elected by the General Executive Board of the IUPAT as the General Vice President representing the IUPAT Eastern Region, encompassing eighteen states. This role includes responsibilities in District Council development, membership servicing, training and education; industry and worker advancement, collective bargaining, benefit trust fund management, and Labor/Management relations.
In 1999, at the IUPAT’s 28th Convention, he was elected to his first full term; and by virtue of this office he became the President of the Eastern Regional Conference; and serves on the Board of Trustee for the IUPAT Finishing Trades Institute (FTI), the Labor Management Cooperation Initiative (LMCI), and the IUPAT Industry Pension Fund of the United States.
In 2004, Bill continued his education by attending the George Meany Center’s National Labor College, where he received a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Labor Studies.
In 2013, while fulfilling his duties as the Eastern Region General Vice President, Bill was selected by the General Executive Board to serve out a remaining term as the Executive General Vice President (EGVP). During this tenure as EGVP, Bill assisted the General President in carrying out and further developing the programs and policies of the IUPAT in organizing, training and education.
In 2014, at the 31st General Convention of the IUPAT, Bill was elected to his fourth term as General Vice President serving in the Eastern Region.