Thomas F. Hartnett, 67, of Albany died peacefully on August 28, 2012 in Boston following complications during treatment for cancer. Mr. Hartnett was born in Bronx, N.Y. to the late Elizabeth and Cornelius Hartnett. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School and graduated from Farleigh Dickenson University with a B.S. in 1972.

Tom received his juris doctorate degree from Seton Hall University Law School in 1976. Since 1991, Tom served as Of Counsel to Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. in Albany and was co-chair of the firm’s government relations practice. Tom represented a number of major public and private sector labor management entities and key health care providers.

Tom began his career with the New York Telephone Company serving as a union representative for the Communications Workers of America and in management positions in personnel and labor relations. From 1983 to 1987 Tom served as director of the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations. As the state’s chief labor negotiator, he conducted collective negotiations with public employee unions representing over 200,000 state workers in 12 bargaining units. He negotiated health insurance benefits for more than 400,000 state and local government employees, introducing various innovations in cost containment. During his tenure, Tom designed and successfully negotiated implementation of the state’s first major restructuring of its health insurance program. Governor Mario M. Cuomo named Tom New York’s Commissioner of Labor in 1987, a position he held until 1991. As commissioner, Tom reformed New York State’s child labor laws, implemented community service centers throughout New York State and increased New York’s minimum wage and unemployment insurance benefits. While commissioner, Tom was able to mediate a settlement between the New York Post and its workers that enabled the newspaper to continue operations in 1990. He also successfully mediated a settlement in the lengthy Long Island Railroad strike to restore service to 100,000 daily commuters.

Tom was appointed to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship. He held the position during the Clinton and Bush presidencies. During his term, Mr. Hartnett guided the committee in providing recommendations to the secretary on issues related to apprenticeship including comprehensive revisions of the federal regulations governing apprenticeship programs in the United States. Mr. Hartnett was appointed to and served on the board of directors of the Albany County Airport Authority and the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership. He was a member of the board of directors of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, serving most recently as chair of the Committee on Training and Education. Mr. Hartnett testified before the Congress of the United States and the New York Legislature on a wide range of employment and labor-related issues. Additionally, Tom has been covered in print media and has appeared on local, national and international radio and television programs, including the Today Show, Prime Time Live and BBC.

Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy Hodes of Albany. Tom was the loving father of four children, Jeffrey Hartnett (Seema) of Mechanicville, Tricia Hartnett (Leon Spath) of Voorheesville, Christopher Hartnett of Atlanta, Ga. and Matthew Hartnett of Atlanta. Tom was the stepfather of Liz Hodes of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Amanda Hodes of Boston, Mass. He is also survived by three beloved granddaughters, Madelyn Spath, and Priya and Shayley Hartnett and his five nieces and nephews.

Funeral services Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the Parish of Mater Christi, Albany. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Friday, August 31, 2012 4 to 7 p.m. in the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen St., Albany. Interment Albany Rural Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends and family at their home, 433 State St., Albany, NY from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 1.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made in Tom’s honor to the Tom Hartnett Team for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America at the following link: http://pages.lightthenight.org/ga/Atlanta12/thetomhartnett To leave the family a special message on their guest book, obtain directions or a memory card, or share a photo with them, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com
From the