By unanimous vote, the AFT executive council on July 11 endorsed Richard Trumka for president of the AFL-CIO, which will be holding officer elections during its September convention.

The AFT is the second largest union in the AFL-CIO. AFT president Randi Weingarten praised the slate of officers, which includes Trumka, Elizabeth Shuler for secretary-treasurer and Arlene Holt Baker as executive vice president.

"This is a team that understands the importance of a united, re-energized labor movement. We look forward to having them lead our movement," Weingarten said.

Trumka, speaking to the AFT executive council by phone from Arkansas, pledged that if he becomes the labor movement's next president, he would work to keep working people's issues at the forefront of the national agenda.

"We need to become the unquestioned voice of people who work hard and play by the rules," Trumka said.

July 12, 2009