We congratulate our sister and friend, Elissa McBride, on the end of her tenure as AFSCME secretary-treasurer, and thank her for her service on the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO.
McBride’s career in the labor movement began in 1989 as a member of UAW District 65. She graduated from the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and worked as a union organizer, helping factory workers across the country form unions and win first contracts. She served as the New England organizing director for the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union before returning to the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute as director.
In 2001, McBride joined AFSCME as the director of Education and Leadership Training, where she led the creation of member organizing and leadership development programs. That same year she joined the United Association for Labor Education, and in 2010 was elected president and served in that role for two consecutive terms.
In 2017, McBride began her tenure as AFSCME secretary-treasurer, serving as the union’s chief financial steward. In partnership with AFSCME President Lee Saunders, their leadership guided AFSCME to strengthen and grow, despite the existential crises faced by AFSCME members across the country.
On the AFL-CIO Executive Council, McBride has been instrumental in shaping the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, where she serves as vice chair. Her dedication, pragmatism and insight has made her a welcomed and appreciated member on a number of Executive Council committees, as well as the AFL-CIO Racial Justice Task Force.
On behalf of the nearly 15 million members of the AFL-CIO, the Executive Council thanks Elissa McBride for her service and solidarity, and we look forward to her continued advocacy on behalf of America’s workers.