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William Herbert, the executive director of the National Center for the Study of Collective Bargaining in Higher Education and the Professions at Hunter College as well as a a distinguished lecturer and a faculty associate at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, died unexpectedly of natural causes on April 19 at his home in Delmar, New York, Hunter College announced on Monday.
Herbert, 70, was a renowned expert on public-sector labor law in New York State, had an encyclopedic knowledge of historical and contemporary labor movements and convened national conversations on collective bargaining. He was beloved by friends and colleagues for his warm demeanor and kindness, according to an obituary from Hunter College.
Before his time at Hunter College, Herbert worked as a practicing labor, civil rights and tenant’s attorney for more than three decades — including 17 years as a staff attorney for the Civil Service Employees Association — and served as deputy chair and counsel to the New York State Public Employment Relations Board.
Herbert was a graduate of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University and the University of Buffalo.
Hunter President Nancy Cantor knew Herbert for many years.
“I was one among many who marveled at Bill for the truly boundless energy with which he applied himself to advancing the cause of workers not just in higher education and the professions, but in all sectors,” Cantor said. “I will always treasure having had the unique opportunity to strategize with him on issues that his center would address, on positioning it for success at Hunter, and on leveraging its platform to make a difference nationally, especially through its regular convenings and annual conference. He was truly beloved by us at Hunter and by friends and colleagues across the country.”
Herbert's expertise was frequently utilized by The Chief in recent years to provide analysis and opinion on various matters related to public-sector labor law and higher education.
Herbert is survived by his wife, Judith Lee; daughters Lisa and Beth, son-in-law Dan, and granddaughters Annabel and Matilda.
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