In 1967, the members of the Warwick Teachers Union in Rhode Island, Local 915 of the American Federation of Teachers, elected as their new president a 26-year-old social studies and English teacher at Lockwood Junior High School – Edward J. McElroy. That was the beginning of an extraordinary career that would take him to the presidency of the American Federation of Teachers and a reputation as one of the most effective leaders of our generation on behalf of education and organized labor.
Two years later, Ed McElroy, already showing the qualities that would mark his career, was elected president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers (RIFT). RIFT grew dramatically under his leadership as paraprofessionals, public employees, higher education faculty, nurses and hospital workers organized and joined. Meanwhile, he was personally involved in countless contract negotiations and arbitrations.
And because union solidarity is one of his core beliefs, McElroy would for many years serve as president not only of his own union but of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. That experience granted him a unique perspective on the role of united state and local labor movements.
Sixteen years ago, Ed McElroy was elected secretary-treasurer of the AFT and four years ago, he was elected president. During his tenure as an executive officer with an intense focus on organizing, the AFT grew by more than 500,000. He also helped transform the AFT structure with reforms that enlarged the role of constituencies beyond K-12 teachers and fulfilled the promise of the AFT as a union of professionals. And he created the Activists for Congressional Education, the political program that mobilizes members to meet with their senators and representatives and gives them more influence on the issues that count.
For nearly seven years, McElroy has been a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council. When the AFL-CIO took on the job of reorganizing the state and local organizations that are the muscle and sinew of our movement, it entrusted Ed McElroy with chairing the Council's State and Local Central Bodies Committee. He has also contributed to the movement as a member of the Council's Executive Committee as well as its committees on Political Education, Strategic Approaches, and Article XX and XXI Review.
Acting on his commitment to uniting education employees to better fulfill their mission, McElroy led new initiatives to work with the National Education Association on issues of common concern and helped establish a novel and historic labor solidarity partnership that allowed NEA local organizations to affiliate directly with the AFL-CIO.
The AFL-CIO joins AFT members in thanking Ed McElroy for all he has done for our movement – for his unselfish concern for all union members and all working people. We wish him and his wife Edwina many happy years with the children and grandchildren they love.