Reinforcing Values and Solidarity Highlight AFL-CIO Executive Council Meeting

The AFL-CIO concluded its two-day Executive Council meeting, which centered on fighting for economic relief for working people as we navigate the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to voting unanimously to review archaic Senate rules and delay the AFL-CIO Convention, the council also passed statements mourning the passing of John Sweeney and honoring our retired leaders.

The following statements passed the council:

Senate Rules Cannot Be Used to Block a Workers First Agenda: The AFL-CIO calls on the Senate to work with the president and the House to enact a Workers First Agenda—investment, democracy, freedom and dignity in the workplace and justice in our economy. But if that proves to be impossible under the Senate’s current rules—we call for swift and necessary changes to those rules so that the will of the people of the United States expressed in the 2020 elections can be turned into the progress our country and our people desperately need.

NFLPA Demonstrates the Power of Collective Bargaining: We applaud the efforts of the NFL Players Association, its Executive Committee, including President JC Tretter and Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, former President Eric Winston, and all of the player leadership and staff not only for their work on behalf of their members, but for their support for unions across the country.

Protecting Workers from COVID-19: Strong, swift action by the Biden administration, including an immediate Executive Order on Protecting Worker Health and Safety, has already resulted in stronger federal guidelines. However, more robust actions are needed to ensure that workers are provided the protections necessary to combat this virus in U.S. workplaces, keeping our communities safe as well.

Unions Commit to Repatriate Our Deported Patriots: Repatriating our veterans and protecting their family members will be a core part of the labor movement’s comprehensive immigration strategy, and we will highlight the stories of these patriots to challenge the criminal narrative that has plagued the immigration debate for too long.

Build Back Better with Unions—Pass the PRO Act and Legislation to Ensure Public Sector Collective Bargaining Rights: We are in a historic moment with an unmistakable mandate. The PRO Act and legislation to ensure public sector workers full bargaining rights must become the law of the land at once.

Resolution Delaying AFL-CIO Convention Due to Pandemic: The next regular AFL-CIO Convention will take place before June 30, 2022, in Philadelphia, on days and during times designated by the AFL-CIO President, in consultation with the Executive Council.

On the Service of George E. McCubbin III: The AFL-CIO Executive Council recognizes the distinguished service of George E. McCubbin III, former national vice president for AFGE’s 12th District, which covers Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada.

On the Retirement of Bruce Smith: The AFL-CIO Executive Council congratulates Bruce R. Smith, our friend and brother, on his well-deserved recent retirement from the United Steelworkers (USW). Smith was the president of the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union (GMP) until its merger with the United Steelworkers in 2016. 

On the Retirement of Robert A. Scardelletti: We congratulate our brother and friend, Robert A. “Bob” Scardelletti, on his retirement as national president of TCU/IAM. 

On the Passing of Larry Willis: The AFL-CIO Executive Council mourns the untimely passing of Larry Willis, a longtime champion of transportation workers and president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD).

On the Passing of John Sweeney: The AFL-CIO Executive Council mourns the passing of John Sweeney, president emeritus of the AFL-CIO.