The AFL-CIO Executive Council approved the election of three new council members today at its summer meeting in Chicago. The Executive Council -- composed of 47 union leaders -- is the key decision-making body of the 10.5 million member AFL-CIO.

The new members of the Council are Randi Weingarten, president, American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Matthew Loeb, president of the Stage and Theatrical Employees (IATSE); and Jill Levy, president of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA).

“We’re thrilled to welcome these three passionate advocates for working families to the Executive Council,” AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “Their collective experience, commitment and insight will be invaluable in the fight to improve the lives of working people throughout the country in the months and years to come.”

Weingarten, who replaces recently retired AFT President Edward J. McElroy, joins the council after being elected to succeed McElroy last month. Weingarten has a long history advocating for students, teachers and workers of all professions. Prior to her election as president of AFT, Weingarten served as President of the United Federation of Teachers. McElroy served on the council for seven years.

Loeb served as IATSE’s Division Director of Motion Picture and Television Production before his election as president last week. He has been an IATSE Executive Board member since 2002. Loeb replaces retiring IATSE President Tom Short, who became the first leader of the stagehands in more than three decades to serve on the Executive Council.    

Levy is a longtime union activist who served for several years as supervisor of special education for New York City's public schools and headed AFSA Local 1. She served in several national offices for AFSA and was elected union president in 2006. Levy replaces retiring Executive Council member Baxter Atkinson, who is stepping down after four years on the Council. He is a former AFSA president who got his start in public education as a reading and mathematics teacher in Hartford, Conn.

Contact:  Steve Smith 202-412-4440