From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Edward J. McElroy
Edward J. McElroy
Edward J. McElroy, Jr. (born March 17, 1941) is an Amer- er, McElroy strengthened the union’s budgeting process
ican teacher and labor union leader. He was president of and internal financial controls, and instituted financial
the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) from 2004 to training for all local affiliate treasurers.[2][3]
2008, and an AFL-CIO vice president from 2001 to 2008. In December 2001, McElroy was elected to the execu-
tive council of the AFL-CIO. He served on various AFL-CIO
Early life and union career committees, including its political, education, strategic
approaches, women workers and state and local strate-
McElroy was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Edward gies committees. After his election as AFT president,
J. McElroy, Sr. and his wife Clara Angelone McElroy. He McElroy served on the AFL-CIO’s Executive Committee as
graduated with an A.B. degree in education from Provi- well.[2]
dence College in 1962.[1] In 2004, AFT president Sandra Feldman, suffering
McElroy began a career as an educator teaching social from a recurrence of breast cancer, resigned. McElroy
studies and English at Lockwood Junior High School in was elected president at the union’s biennial convention
Warwick, Rhode Island after graduation. He was elected that July.[2] McElroy was widely seen as a transitional
president of the Warwick Teachers Union, AFT Local 915, president. He focused his tenure as AFT president on
for a two-year term in 1967. In 1969, he was elected pres- broad trade union issues, building the union’s influence
ident of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers (RIFT). within the AFL-CIO, strengthening the AFT’s state feder-
He continued to teach until 1972, when he became a full- ations and middle- and small-size locals.[3]
time RIFT president.[1]
As president of RIFT, McElroy oversaw rapid expan-
sion in the union’s membership. He also led the union in
Retirement
organizing school paraprofessionals, public employees, McElroy announced on February 12, 2008, that he would
higher education faculty and campus workers, and nurs- retire at the AFT’s regularly schedule biennial conven-
es and other workers in hospitals and other health care tion in Chicago, Illinois, in July 2008.[3] He was succeeded
organizations. McElroy stayed personally involved in the by New York City United Federation of Teachers Presi-
life of the union by handling negotiations and arbitra- dent Randi Weingarten on July 14, 2008.[4]
tions for many of RIFT’s education locals.[2]
McElroy also was active in state politics. He served on
the executive committee of the Rhode Island Democratic
Memberships
Committee, and several workforce development commis- McElroy is a leader in a wide range of community, civic
sions and boards for the state.[1] and labor organizations. He is a member of the board of
In 1974, McElroy was elected a vice president of the the Albert Shanker Institute, and chair of the Department
AFT, and took a seat on the AFT’s executive council. for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (a coalition of 25 na-
McElroy was instrumental in 1990 in launching the AFT’s tional unions representing 4 million professional, techni-
’Futures Committee,’ a panel of AFT vice presidents who cal and administrative professionals).[2]
spent two years studying and revamping the union’s gov- McElroy also serves on the boards of the Amalgamat-
ernance structures. The resulting constitutional amend- ed Bank of Chicago, Working America (an affiliate of the
ments enhanced the role of the AFT’s constituencies out- AFL-CIO) and the National Labor College (formerly the
side the preK-12 teacher division and made other recom- George Meany Center for Labor Studies).[1][2]
mendations on strategic planning, financial practices and McElroy served as a member of the Debt Reduction
priorities for the AFT.[2] Task Force at the Bipartisan Policy Center.[5]
In 1977, the 36-year-old McElroy was elected presi-
dent of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.[1]
Family
AFT leadership McElroy, a Roman Catholic, resides in Washington, D.C.
In 1992, the AFT’s long-time secretary-treasurer, Robert He is married to Edwina B. (Ricci) McElroy; they have four
Porter, died of a heart attack and McElroy was elected as children.[1]
his replacement. During his tenure as secretary-treasur-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Edward J. McElroy
Preceded by President, American Federation of Teachers Succeeded by
Sandra Feldman 2004 - 2008 Randi Weingarten
References External links
[1] ^ Who’s Who in America, 2004. • American Federation of Teachers
[2] ^ "AFT President Edward J. McElroy," no date. • National Labor College
American Federation of Teachers. Link accessed 9 • Rhode Island AFL-CIO
June 2006. • Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health
[3] ^ Greenhouse, "Teachers’ Union President to Step Professionals
Down; New Yorker Is Seen as Successor," New York • Working America
Times, February 13, 2008. Persondata
[4] http://www.aft.org/presscenter/releases/2008/
Name Macelroy, Edward J.
071408.htm
[5] [1] "Debt Reduction Task Force Members" Alternative names
Short description
Sources Date of birth March 17, 1941
• "AFT President Edward J. McElroy" American Place of birth
Federation of Teachers. Date of death
• Greenhouse, Steven. "Teachers’ Union President to Place of death
Step Down; New Yorker Is Seen as Successor." New
York Times. February 13, 2008.
• Who’s Who in America. 59th ed. New Providence, N.J.:
Marquis Who’s Who, 2004. ISBN 0-8379-6982-4
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edward_J._McElroy&oldid=449927314"
Categories:
• 1941 births
• American labor leaders
• American Roman Catholics
• American people of Irish descent
• American people of Italian descent
• People from Providence, Rhode Island
• People from Washington, D.C.
• Providence College alumni
• National Labor College people
• AFL–CIO people
• Living people
• American Federation of Teachers
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