AFL-CIO Announces New Executive Council Members

The AFL-CIO on Tuesday announced the addition of four new members to its Executive Council: Chris Shelton, president of CWA; Lonnie Stephenson, president of IBEW; Joe Sellers, general president of SMART; and Eric Dean, general president of the Ironworkers. “Our new Executive Council members embody what it means to fight every day for working people,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “I am proud to welcome them to the Executive Council, and look forward to working with them in the years to come.”

In addition to the four new Executive Council members, UFCW President Marc Perrone was named the new Chair of the Organizing Committee, and IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson was named Vice-Chair of the Political Committee.

More information about the new AFL-CIO Executive Council members can be found below...

Chris Shelton, President, Communications Workers of America (left)– President Shelton started working for New York Telephone in 1968 and was elected a shop steward shortly after. He most recently served as Vice President of CWA District 1, representing more than 160,000 members in New Jersey, New York, and New England. President Shelton was elected president of CWA in June.

Lonnie Stephenson, President, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (2nd from left) – President Stephenson was elected earlier this summer. He was previously IBEW’s International Vice President in the Midwest. He started his career four decades ago in Rock Island, IL, as a wireman apprentice and has worked to bring hundreds of project labor agreements to areas throughout the Midwest. 

Joe Sellers, General President, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (2nd from right) – General President Joe Sellers began his career in 1980 as an apprentice in Local 19 in Philadelphia, PA. He served as training coordinator and business representative before becoming president and business manager, and was elected General President of SMART in May of 2015.

Eric Dean, General President, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union (right) – General President Eric Dean was elected earlier this month. He previously served as General Secretary for the Ironworkers. He became a journeyman in Local 63 in Chicago in 1984, and later worked as an apprentice instructor and welding inspector.