Christopher Leathers is a seasoned transportation and labor leader with a strong background in rail infrastructure and workforce advocacy. With over 34 years of labor and managerial experience within the MTA, he brings a critical labor perspective to the largest public transit system in the United States and North America.
Leathers serves as Local Chairman-Local 645B within the Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Union’s “SMART” Transportation Division at the Long Island Rail Road. His leadership has been instrumental in negotiating fair labor agreements, enhancing safety protocols and fostering collaboration between labor and management. Additionally, he serves in the role of Supervisor within the LIRR Engineering Department.
Leathers began his MTA career in 1990 as a Trackworker with New York City Transit. During his tenure, he has held various positions including but not limited to Track Inspector, Track Maintenance Supervisor I, Track Maintenance Supervisor II (Track Engineering Quality Assurance Group) and Superintendent of Special Projects assigned to the Office of the Chief Officer, Track for the NYCT Department of Subways, before transitioning to the Long Island Rail Road in 2015.