Fredrick D. Redmond was elected the secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO by the AFL-CIO executive council on Aug. 20, 2021, and is the first African American to hold this office in the history of the labor federation. He had previously served on the federation’s executive council since 2008.

Redmond has been a strident advocate for racial justice in the workplace since 1973 when he went to work at Reynolds Metals Co. in Chicago and became a member of the United Steelworkers (USW).

With his background and leadership qualities, he is an excellent addition to Sister Liz Shuler’s team, who was elected AFL-CIO president on the same day.

On his election, Brother Redmond said, “Liz (Shuler) and I are not the perfect officers. But together with Tefere (Gebre), we can form the perfect team for this moment.

“To organize. To mobilize. To win racial justice, secure voting rights and pass the PRO Act.

“To do that, we need to spend our resources wisely. Be strategic. Get return on our investment. And take smart risks.”

He concluded by saying, “So in this house of labor on this historic day, let’s act. For each other. For our movement. For our nation.”

Iron Workers General President Eric Dean congratulated Redmond on behalf of the officers and members of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.

Dean said, “Fred has years of experience assisting local unions, developing and conducting training programs and bargaining contracts. He has led the USW and their allies in their fight for economic equality and has a powerful united vision for the future of the labor movement.

“We look forward to working with him in his new position with the AFL-CIO.”

(Source: AFL-CIO)