pittsburgh's union influence was through nick stirone, the biggest labor racketeer in Pittsburgh history. he came to pittsburgh in 1937 and organized the common laborers in the construction industry. he joined the laborers union in 1921 in new jersey and organized a small local there. he became head of the pittsburgh district laborers council, better known as local 1058. it took 8 years and two trials to indict and convict him for a 10 year sentence and he allegedly extorted over $31k from a cement contractor. he was convicted in 1957 and lost his appeal in 1962. everybody went to nick stirone for union issues and favors, easily making him the most powerful union racketeer in pittsburgh