In a year when COVID has taken so many too soon, we must add another name to the list of the fallen: AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director Andrew Washington, who passed away Saturday night.
When elected in 2014, Washington became the youngest executive director of AFSCME Council 20, which today represents 8,500 federal, private and public sector workers in the metro Washington area.
Washington had a no-nonsense reputation when it came to representing and organizing members, unafraid to take on local leaders on issues of social and economic justice. He served on the national union’s Judicial Panel and was a 2016 graduate of Harvard University’s Trade Union Program.
Andrew Washington also served as first vice president of the Metro Washington Council and earlier this year filled in as Acting President, unhesitatingly taking on those additional responsibilities amidst a pandemic that was ravaging his own membership. "The hearts of the entire local labor movement go out to his family, friends, colleagues and members," said MWC president Dyana Forester.
“Andrew always brought a fresh perspective to any conversation about our union’s future," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. "Andrew was a tireless champion for the workers he represented and always had their best interests at heart, whether at the bargaining table or the public podium. Andrew’s ideas, commitment and youthful energy are irreplaceable.”
When elected in 2014, Washington became the youngest executive director of AFSCME Council 20, which today represents 8,500 federal, private and public sector workers in the metro Washington area.
Washington had a no-nonsense reputation when it came to representing and organizing members, unafraid to take on local leaders on issues of social and economic justice. He served on the national union’s Judicial Panel and was a 2016 graduate of Harvard University’s Trade Union Program.
Andrew Washington also served as first vice president of the Metro Washington Council and earlier this year filled in as Acting President, unhesitatingly taking on those additional responsibilities amidst a pandemic that was ravaging his own membership. "The hearts of the entire local labor movement go out to his family, friends, colleagues and members," said MWC president Dyana Forester.
“Andrew always brought a fresh perspective to any conversation about our union’s future," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. "Andrew was a tireless champion for the workers he represented and always had their best interests at heart, whether at the bargaining table or the public podium. Andrew’s ideas, commitment and youthful energy are irreplaceable.”