Labor On The Move: Brad Burton Retires

Brad Burton, who began his career in the labor movement in the coal mines of Indiana and rose to work with top American labor leaders, has retired. “Brad has been an incredible leader in the international labor movement,” said National Nurses United Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro. “I will miss Brad’s wit, leadership and fighting spirit,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka... 
photo: Burton, at right in red, at NNU demo earlier this year; photo by Jay Mallin

---

“From the Mine Workers to the AFL-CIO and then to the National Nurses United, Brad has fought forcefully for labor rights, civil rights and human rights,” said DeMoro. “The nurses wish him all of the best in the world and will miss him deeply.”

Working as a coal miner in southern Indiana, Burton rose up in the United Mine Workers of America to become Midwest Regional Director of the UMWA, and then executive assistant to Vice President Cecil Roberts. He was executive assistant to UMWA president Richard Trumka when the Sweeney/Trumka/Chavez-Thompson New Voice ticket won election to lead the AFL-CIO in 1995, and Burton became executive assistant to then-AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka. In 2007, Burton went to work for the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee.  He has served as executive assistant to Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro and as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and Veterans Administration Director of National Nurses United.

“I wish Brad good health and hope he enjoys his retirement as much as he has enjoyed the fight for social justice that we waged together for years,” said Trumka. “Keep up that fight!”