AFL-CIO launches alliance for retired Americans

The AFL-CIO launched the Alliance for Retired Americans this spring with a news conference and rally on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. A group of 36 AFT retiree activists from Philadelphia were among hundreds of retired unionists attending the event.

The 2.5 million-member alliance, which is expected to grow to 5 million in the next five years, is the "largest retiree-only organization in the country whose size and scope make it an instant political force to be reckoned with," says AFL-CIO president John Sweeney. After the rally, groups of retirees fanned out to lobby their members of Congress. Later in the day, the alliance demonstrated outside the headquarters of Pfizer Inc. in New York City to protest skyrocketing drug prices.

One of the alliance's top priorities is comprehensive drug coverage for all Medicare recipients.

AFT secretary-treasurer Edward J. McElroy serves on the alliance's 12-member national executive committee. The alliance offers universal, dues-free membership to union members.

FPE/AFT leaders serving in top state AFL-CIO posts

James McGarvey, vice president of the FPE/AFT-affiliated Montana Education Association-Montana Federation of Teachers, was elected president of the Montana State AFL-CIO this spring. His platform: More union organizing throughout the state, better worker protections, sensible economic development and higher wages and better benefits for the state's working families.

McGarvey, who has served on the state AFL-CIO executive council since 1977, has been an AFT vice president since 1974. He is also chair of the FPE/AFT program and policy council (PPC).

In related news, New York State Public Employees Federation vice president Joe Fox was named president of the Capital District Area Labor Federation by national AFL-CIO president John Sweeney.

Fox's appointment was sparked by a restructuring of the state AFL-CIO from 25 central labor councils to five "area labor federations." Each ALF represents approximately 150,000 private and public sector union members.

Fox is a member of the FPE/AFT PPC.