Project and Diversity Officer

Bernard Griggs Jr.

Bernard Griggs Jr. has worked 21 years as a full-time union labor leader representing people that work in the construction industry. Bernard has served on numerous boards and commissions and in July of 2020, he became Bucks County’s first ever Project and Diversity Officer. Bernard, his wife, and their two daughters reside in Chalfont, Bucks County. 

Employment, Boards and Awards

Bernard has worked in the construction industry for over 30 years and is a journeyman mason by trade and 26-year member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local #1 of Pennsylvania/Delaware. In January of 2000, Bernard became the Local’s first ever full-time Representative of color, representing 2500 union members. In February of 2003, Bernard was appointed as a full-time Business Representative of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council. The Council represents 44 construction unions with over 80,000 members. During Bernard’s 18-year tenure at the Building Trades Council, he negotiated deals with real estate developers and construction project owners to get Project Labor Agreements for major projects worth over $3.5 billion, creating thousands of construction jobs for union members. Bernard oversaw the Council’s diversity and inclusion workforce program. Bernard also served on many boards and received several awards, such as:

  • Pennsylvania Commissioner of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission 
  • Temple University Executive Oversight Committee
  • The Bucks County Responsible Contractor Study Group
  • The Montgomery County Strategic Economic Development Policy Task Force 
  • The Montgomery County Development Corporation Board
  • Elected to the Executive Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist 
  • 2013 NAACP Bucks County Branch Pioneer Award
  • 2015 Montgomery County Democratic Committee Bob Cooper Labor Leader of The Year Award
  • 2015 Jack Costello Boxing Club Award

Bernard was also responsible for the coordination of the volunteer labor, of the Building Trades’ unions that donated thousands of hours of time, at no cost, to help non-profit groups. Notable examples are:

  • Complete renovation of a house in Philadelphia for the Pennsylvania Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation. The entire construction of this project was filmed and aired on the prime-time TV show "HGTV Change the World." 
  • Construction of "Imagination Land" which is a playground for special needs children in Bensalem. 
  • Complete interior renovation and installation of a new 3 story elevator for the Gilda's Club Cancer Center in Warminster.  
  • New masonry monument for the VFW Post 9198 in Bensalem. 
  • ADA bathroom renovation in a home in Southampton for a special needs child for the Fred's Footsteps Foundation. 
  • Construction of a new bathroom facility for the Audubon Athletic Association.
  • Bernard also played an active role in the All-Star Labor Classic, a high school basketball fundraiser sponsored by Philadelphia's Organized Labor, that helped raise over $2 million dollars for United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia

Duties

As Project and Diversity Officer, Bernard oversees capital projects in cooperation with multiple county departments and agencies as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer. Assignments include ensuring timely completion of services and deliverables that meet county, state, federal labor standards and requirements. Prepare and maintain a county-wide diversity and inclusion program in cooperation with Human Resources and the Law Department.