Ken Suzuki is Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE Local 34 and a founding member of the union. A longtime labor leader and community advocate, Ken played a pivotal role in organizing Local 34, including testifying before the National Labor Relations Board during the union’s early campaign. Following hard-fought negotiations and a 10-week strike, he helped secure the union’s first contract—laying the foundation for decades of strong wages, quality benefits, and job security for working families.

Over 35 years of organizing, Ken has worked to expand opportunity not only for Yale workers but for the broader New Haven community. He has championed workforce pipelines that connect city residents to good union jobs, helping raise the standard of living for hundreds of families. Committed to growing the labor movement, Ken continues to advocate for greater investment in New Haven residents and proudly supports new organizing efforts to strengthen worker voice and economic justice.