Int’l Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 808 mourns the passing of Chris Silvera

The following press release appeared on the Teamster Local 808 X account on June 12, 2026.

The Officers, Executive Board, staff, and membership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 808 mourn the devastating loss of Secretary-Treasurer Fitzverity Christophe “Chris” Silvera, a tireless labor leader, dedicated activist, and beloved brother whose lifelong commitment to working people leaves an enduring legacy across our union and the broader labor movement.

Chris Silvera served Local 808 with distinction for decades as a steadfast leader and advocate for the rights, dignity, and safety of working men and women. Beginning his career as a trackman in 1978 and becoming Secretary-Treasurer in 1990, Chris dedicated his life to building a stronger, more militant union.

Throughout his career, Chris was a champion of workers’ rights, fighting for fair wages, safer working conditions, and equitable treatment for all. His leadership helped transform Local 808 into a powerful voice for its members. 

He played a pivotal role in the 1982 organizing campaign that brought Metro-North workers into the Teamsters — an effort that helped shape the Local’s modern identity.

Chris’s impact extended nationwide. As Chairman of the Teamsters National Black Caucus, he expanded its reach across the country and advanced its mission of economic and social justice. He was also a co-convener of the Million Worker March Movement and a leader in the Millions More Movement, helping to mobilize thousands of workers and community members in historic demonstrations for equality, labor rights, and social change.

Under his leadership, Local 808 was instrumental in organizing one of the largest May Day mobilizations in New York City history in 2006, bringing together dozens of labor and community organizations in a unified call for immigrant rights and worker justice. He also led critical contract battles that improved wages, pensions, and working conditions, helping to reshape the lives of countless members and their families.

A committed activist, Chris devoted himself to advancing social justice, economic equity and labor solidarity. He was known for his willingness to stand on picket lines, organize grassroots campaigns, and mentor the next generation of union leaders. His work fostered meaningful connections across unions and industries, reinforcing the principle that the labor movement is strongest when it stands united.

Chris Silvera’s impact was felt not only in contract negotiations and national campaigns, but in the countless lives he touched personally. He was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend to many. His passion inspired others to organize, to fight, and to believe in the power of collective action. He leaves behind his loving family, fellow Teamsters, and a wide community of labor leaders and members who will carry forward his mission and honor his memory through continued advocacy and unity.

“Chris Silvera embodied the very best of the labor movement,” said Osvaldo “Ozzie” Loverme, President of Teamsters Local 808: “I had the honor of standing shoulder to shoulder with him for more than forty years, dating back to our early days organizing Metro-North workers in the early 1980s. His courage, his conviction, and his unwavering commitment to working people defined not only his leadership, but the very spirit of Local 808. Chris was more than a colleague—he was a brother. His legacy will live on in every fight we take on and every worker we stand up for.”

Details regarding memorial services and tributes will be shared as they become available. The members of Teamsters Local 808 extend their deepest condolences to Chris’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. 

In solidarity, always.

Media Contact: Shwaun Gray, Communications Director, IBT Local 808

Info@teamsters808.org | (914) 458-5228 | https://teamsters808.com/