The former leader of New York City's largest public union died Friday.

Stanley Hill's son said Tuesday that he died in Queens due to complications from pneumonia.

Hill was the first black executive director of District Council 37 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Hill served from 1987 to 1999 after he was forced to step down due to revelations of overspending and mismanagement. He was responsible for persuading the New York state legislature to increase pension benefits.

In 1995, Hill won a three-year guarantee of job security after convincing the city not to privatize municipal hospitals.

Stanley Hill was 82 years old.