The largest labor organization in the United States, the AFL-CIO, has made history after electing its first ever woman as the president of the organization. AFL-CIO elected Liz Shuler who is taking after former president, Richard Trumka who passed on at the beginning of the month.
Liz Shuler has immense experience in matters involving trading unions as she has dedicated many years of service to trade unions. She was elected for the position by the union’s executive council which also elected Fred Redmond, the secretary-treasurer of the organization.
Fred Redmond also goes in history as the first American-African to be elected to the second top position in the trade organization. Before his appointment, Redmond was working at the United Steelworkers (USW).
Trumka succumbed to a heart attack in the beginning of the month while on a camping trip, he led the organization comprising of 56 unions which represents 12.5 million workers for 11 years.
“This is a moment for us to lead societal transformations – to leverage our power to bring women and people of color from the margins to the center at work, in our unions and in our economy,” said Shuler following his election at the helm of the organization.
