The top two leaders of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) — the nation’s leading public service union — have been reelected to their posts to four-year terms.
The delegates on Tuesday reelected President Lee Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride by acclamation on the second day of the 46th AFSCME International Convention.
“I am filled with gratitude that AFSCME members have placed their confidence in me to lead our great union for another term,” said Saunders, who was first elected president in June 2012. “I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have done together — the dynamic organizing, the surge in membership, the record-setting contracts, the grassroots lobbying, the bold political action and more.”
Saunders, who started working for AFSCME in 1978 as a labor economist, said he is prepared to lead members who are fired up about the battles ahead and the next chapter in the union’s history.
McBride, who joined AFSCME as the director of education and leadership training in 2001 and began her service as secretary-treasurer in 2017, expressed her gratitude to members for believing in her.
“In partnership with President Saunders, I’m committed to leading our union with integrity, with passion, and with accountability to all of you,” she said.
