Russ Burns

Russ Burns, business manager of Operating Engineers Local 3, was appointed to the Authority board by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. He previously served on the Cal-OSHA Standards Board Subcommittee for Certification of Crane Operators.

A third-generation operating engineer and Local 3 member, Burns started his career as a crane operator on a variety of high rises, bridges, refineries and large treatment plants throughout Northern California and Reno, NV. He joined the Local 3 staff in 1994 as a business representative in the Fairfield District and subsequently served as district representative in Fairfield, Santa Rosa and Sacramento. He was promoted to special representative in charge of the crane industry in 1996, and one year later, he was promoted to special representative to the dredging industry.

In 2000, he graduated from the Harvard Trade Union Program. In 2002, Burns took on the role of special representative to the business manager until he was appointed treasurer of the union by a unanimous officer vote. In January, 2005, he was sworn in as Local 3's financial secretary. He was elected by the membership and was sworn in as business manager on September 1, 2006. He was duly elected and now serves as the 10th General Vice President of the International Union of Operating Engineers. As business manager, Burns is responsible for the oversight of all Local 3 operations.

Appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly