President: Max Bruny
Max was raised and educated in Port au Prince, Haiti. After studying at the Jesuit Seminary School, he entered the National University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Two years later he migrated to the United States where he worked at a food processing plant represented by UFCW Local 174.
Like other Unions, Local 174 was attracting immigrant workers, who had little or no knowledge of English. Being fluent in Creole, French, Spanish and English, Max’s linguistic skills were called upon to bridge the communication gap. His ability to interpret Union contracts and policies and in turn to convey the concerns and problems of members soon caught the attention of his Union Delegate, who recommended him for an Organizer’s position.
Max joined the UFCW International Professional and Insurance Division in 1986. He was promoted to General Organizer for Region 1 in 1987. Then in 1988, Max was invited to join the staff of UFCW Local 888 as a Union Representative. His achievements soon earned him the position of Recording Secretary. He also served as Director of Organizing, Vice President of the Local 888 Credit Union and a Trustee of the Local 888 Health & Welfare Fund. Max assumed the office of Secretary-Treasurer of Local 888 and Chairman of the Local 888 Health and Pension Funds on January 1, 2002.
On August 19, 2004 Max Bruny was unanimously elected as President of UFCW Local 888 and appointed to the UFCW International Advisory Board. In 2017, Max was elected as Secretary Treasurer of the UFCW Minority Coalition and in 2021 he was elected to be the President of the District Council.
Max holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University and a Masters of Science in Labor Studies from the University of Massachusetts.
Secretary Treasurer: Rosalba Perez
Rosalba was born in Moca, Dominican Republic. She migrated to the Bronx, NY at the age of 13 where she lived with her mother, step-father and three younger sisters. While studying at Lehman College in 1997, Rosalba joined the UFCW Local 888 staff as a temporary employee to cover someone’s leave of absence. However, she was asked to stay and become a full-time staff member of the union office, making it her first permanent full-time job.
While working in the Health Fund department and with a growing Latino membership in the local, Rosalba was often assigned to translate documents and answer calls. She became the sole liaison for the monolingual Spanish-speaking members in the local. In 1999, she was promoted to Health Fund Administrative Assistant. In 2002 she was then promoted to serve as the Health and Pension Funds Manager. In 2010 she became the Fund Director of all Funds in the Local Union; Health, Pension and 401(K). Rosalba has since worked diligently with President Bruny to bring the best health benefits to Local 888 members and administer the Local union efficiently. Later in 2020, she was unanimously elected to be the Secretary-Treasurer.
Rosalba also serves as the UFCW United Latinos Secretary-Treasurer as well as a Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) National Board member.
Rosalba holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Lehman College and a Master of Science in Labor Studies from the University of Massachusetts.
Recorder: Ajay Borzoni
Ajay joined UFCW Local 888 in 2004 and began his career as a Union Organizer. In 2006, Ajay was promoted to Union Representative where he serviced members, resolved grievances and negotiated contracts. His achievements earned him the position of Recorder and Field Director for Local 888 in 2010. As Field Director, Ajay oversees and helps guide other Union Representatives and makes sure that all Local 888 members are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.
Ajay also serves as a Local 888 Executive Board member as well as a Union Trustee of the Local 888 Health Fund and UFCW Local 888 and Employers 401(K) Plan.