New Leadership team is the most diverse in history
Silver Spring, MD – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International President John Costa released the following statement regarding the election of Liz Shuler as President of the AFL-CIO and Fred Redmond as Secretary-Treasurer:
“The ATU congratulates Liz Shuler on being elected as the first woman to lead the AFL-CIO. As we continue to mourn the unexpected loss of labor leader Richard Trumka and face many battles, the labor movement needs an experienced leader and a strong advocate for working people and their families. Liz Shuler is that person.
“Liz brings decades of experience fighting tirelessly on behalf of working families and the next generation of workers. Liz will lead us through this very difficult time and build on Rich’s legacy to grow and strengthen our labor movement.
“We also congratulate Fred Redmond, International Vice President of Human Affairs for the United Steelworkers since 2006, on being elected the first African-American AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer. Fred, who has a longstanding relationship with the ATU, brings experience as a shop steward and understands the issues of everyday working people. He came up through the ranks, and his authentic voice on behalf of workers is needed now more than ever.
“This new AFL-CIO leadership team, including Vice President Tefere Gebre, is the most diverse in the federation’s history and the right team to lead us through the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the growing inequality, and the attacks on workers’ rights and freedoms. We look forward to working with them to continue our fight together for dignity and respect for all working people and their families.”