Hollywood, Fla.
Vice President Michael E. Monroe has devoted his career to improving the lives of the members of his union, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and to helping working families everywhere achieve economic security. At the union’s August 1999 convention, he successfully led the effort to change the name of the union from International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades since more and more women were joining the union.
Vice President Monroe’s leadership of IUPAT was inspired by his fierce determination to achieve a strengthened labor movement by organizing the unorganized. Monroe also emphasized to his members the importance of their active political involvement, both as a union and as individuals.
Recognized for his skills by the delegates to his union’s 1984 convention, Monroe was elected general vice president and in September 1998, he was elected president of IUPAT. He was elected an AFL-CIO vice president in August 1998 and contributed to the Executive Council as a member of the committees on capital stewardship, civil and human rights, legislation, organizing, political education, and political funding. He also served on the board of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust.
On behalf of the men and women of the unions of the AFL-CIO, the Executive Council expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Michael E. Monroe for his service and devotion to the members of his union and to the American labor movement.