About

The National PELRA Foundation (Foundation) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and is affiliated with the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (National PELRA). The Foundation provides scholarships to Graduate Students and working professionals engaged in the field of labor and employee relations who are seeking financial assistance. The Graduate Student Scholarship was named in honor of Anthony “Tony” Russo. All recipients are selected on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis.

The Foundation was established in 1995 by the then National PELRA President Jim Pendergast.  The Foundation was designed solely for educational purposes and that stays true to this date.  While initially created just for Graduate Student Scholarships, the Foundation Board added Event Scholarships in 2023, keeping the spirit of education but expanding the opportunity for members to receive financial assistance for other National PELRA training programs.  

The Foundation relies on contributions from National PELRA members for funding and seeks support and contributions to accomplish this mission and contribute to the success of the next generation of labor and human relations professionals. The Foundation offers two (2) types of scholarships - visit Scholarship Page to learn more.

Anthony "Tony" Russo

Anthony “Tony” Russo was a pioneer and giant in the field of public sector collective bargaining, and in the creation and growth of National PELRA.

Tony Russo served the City of New York in various labor relations capacities for 43 years, under 7 different mayors, retiring as the Director of Labor Relations for New York City in 1979.  Tony directly negotiated contracts for New York City -- he and his staff were responsible for regularly negotiating and administering some 99 separate collective bargaining agreements.

In 1971, Tony Russo suggested that National PELRA be created, and for a decade thereafter was perhaps National PELRA’s greatest public spokesman and supporter.  Tony was a founding member of National PELRA, and served on its first four Boards of Directors. 

A staunch and vocal supporter of public sector management, Tony repeatedly urged negotiators representing public entities to stand united and stand strong in the face of repeated union personal and political attacks. 

For the first 10 years of National PELRA’s existence, Tony Russo was, indeed, the heart and soul of National PELRA and a larger than life champion of public negotiators everywhere.  We all are honored to follow in Tony Russo’s ground breaking footsteps.

EEO Statement

The National PELRA Foundation ensures equal employment opportunity for all scholarship applicants Federal law prohibits discrimination against applicants with respect to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, genetic information or disability. The Foundation also ensures equal opportunity for all applicants regardless of pregnancy, marital status, or sexual orientation. 

The Foundation conducts an annual evaluation of its selection process to determine the best way to remove barriers that may operate to exclude certain groups and develop strategic plans to eliminate identified barriers. If you have a suggestion on how his could be done, please contact the Foundation president.