Zahid Syed, Chairman of Nassau County Human Rights Commission

NASSAU,NY–Zahid Syed was appointed as the chairman of the Nassau County Commission on Human Rights recently. An active community worker with extensive grassroots work he has impeccable record of service.

He has been involved  in union activities for nearly 20 years. He was a longtime representative for Local 338, which represented thousands of supermarket, pharmacy and healthcare workers in the area. Syed, who founded the South Asian-American Political Action Committee, has served on boards for multiple labor and community organizations. He has received several honors from elected officials, civic groups and labor unions.

Currently, Syed works for the Town of Hempstead Parks Department. He lives in East Meadow with his wife, Uzma, son, Ahsan and daughters Nihan and Anusha.

Syed is the first South Asian-American with Pakistani heritage to hold the position.

Syed’s community service has been especially noteworthy and beneficial for immigrant communities.  He has organized several educational activities for the benefit of immigrant communities including:  English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) classes, computer classes, Health education seminars and seminars on immigration and citizenship.  He has assisted immigrants during the stressful and confusing United States Citizenship and Immigration services (formerly known as the Immigration and Naturalization Service) Special Registration process.  He also played an active role in organizing the Workers Freedom Ride, one of the largest rallies in the United States with approximately 100,000 participants, to protest the injustices faced by the immigrant population in the U.S.

As community leader and labor official, he tirelessly lobbied and fought to increase minimum wages and benefits for the working class. In 2002, Zahid played a key role in obtaining health coverage, workers compensation benefits, and thousands of dollars in back wages, for limousine drivers throughout NYS Attorney General’s office.

Zahid has received many awards and recognitions from a host of dignitaries and associations, including U.S. Senate, U.S Congress, Governor, Mayor’ Office, N.Y. State Senate, N.Y State Assembly, Nassau County, Executive, Town Officials County local officials, Union leaders, University, News Media, Political Club, Rotary Clubs, Mets and Civic organizations.

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