Local Union 808 Governance

Local Union 808 is governed by the Laborers International Union of North America Constitutions and Local policy.  Our Executive Board is made up of members who are represented in a collective bargaining agreement negotiated and represented by Local Union 808. The election of officers is held every four years.  The Board governs the Local, sets policy and is responsible to ensure the business of the Local is being conducted properly.

Karen Hazard has a wealth of experience as a union leader. She was the former Business Manager, President, Executive Board member and steward for Laborer’s Local 1134 at Zambarano Hospital. She has served Laborer’s Local 808 as a Field Representative and Auditor. Today she proudly serves as the Business Manager/District Council Delegate, along with being an Executive Board member of the Rhode Island Laborer’s District Council. She is directly responsible for the negotiations of 19 unique collective bargaining agreements for state, quasi,-school and municipal members. Karen has a great working relationship with all of Local 808’s Executive Board, Field Representatives and Stewards and is very receptive to member’s ideas and suggestions. Karen is an outspoken advocate for the issues that affect public employees and those of Local 808. A 28 year State employee,  she started out at the University of Rhode Island and has held the classifications of Cook’s Helper, Janitor, Stores Clerk Carpenter and Dietary Supervisor. As a member of the LiUNA Women’s Caucus Karen has been a champion of Workers Rights as well as Women, Minority and Gay and Lesbian Rights.                                             

Tom has over twenty-seven years of state fiscal experience as a Financial Management Officer in the Department of Administration. Tom's work experience has been in the preparation of state budgets and projections, financial reports and analysis, as well as auditing federal grants awarded to local cities, towns and nonprofits.

Carla focused her studies in college on Political Science and Literature. Shortly after graduation, she began her career with the Rhode Island Supreme Court and was appointed Steward.  As her interest in labor grew, so did her involvement and commitment to Local Union 808, and she eagerly took over as editor of the Local Union 808 Info-Line publication. Carla became a Field Representative in 2010 in which she began to broaden her knowledge by working with other agencies on behalf of our members. She was appointed to the Executive Board and was elected to the position of Recording Secretary in 2015. Carla is also a delegate to the Rhode Island District Council and the Providence Central Federated Council. Carla assumed the position of President in July 2021. Carla spends her free time volunteering for the non-profit animal rescue she founded. Carla is a volunteer for the ASPCA and HSUS where she deploys across the country to assist in animal abuse and neglect cases. She recently began volunteering for Helping Paws Across Borders which travels to the most depraved or disaster struck areas to provide free medical and spay and neuter surgeries.

Vice President, Khoren Souvalian Executive Board, Michael Castelli
Recording Secretary, Kerri Hall Executive Board, Ronald Amoroso