Callahan Joins AFL-CIO Board

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2012

Contact: Jay Lederer

(202) 494-2549 (cell)
(202) 778-2626 (office)
jlederer@iuoe.org

International Union of Operating Engineers
General President James T. Callahan
Elected to AFL-CIO Executive Board

James T. Callahan, general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers, was elected today as a vice president of the AFL-CIO. The Executive Council — composed of 57 union leaders — is the key decision-making body of the 12 million member AFL-CIO.

“I look forward to working with my fellow leaders in the labor movement to fight for working people across America,” Callahan said. “I’m honored to receive their trust and support.”

Callahan was elected IUOE general president in November 2011 to fulfill the term of retired general president Vincent Giblin. He previously served as IUOE general secretary-treasurer and as president and business manager of Local 15 in New York City since 2003. A 32-year IUOE member, he was one of the many operating engineers who responded immediately to the September 11 tragedy and worked the entire recovery effort at Ground Zero.

“I firmly believe that working together, we have the collective strength and ability to deal with the challenges of our time – an erratic global economy, a hostile political environment and a stubbornly sluggish recovery,” Callahan said. “Don’t underestimate the character and resolve of American workers and their unions.”

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The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) represents more than 400,000 members in 123 local unions across the U.S. and Canada, including operating engineers who work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors in the construction industry; stationary engineers in building and industrial maintenance; nurses and other health care workers; and public employees.

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