IATSE President Matthew D. Loeb today announced the IA’s support of Richard Trumka as the next President of the AFL-CIO. The federation’s current fourth- term secretary-treasurer, Trumka has been a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council since 1989. He is also a member of President Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board.

Said President Loeb, “Richard Trumka has the experience, the strength and the commitment to lead the AFL-CIO during one of the most difficult periods in American labor history. We have faith that he will lead the labor movement in this country with the same dedication, intelligence and sensitivity he has continued to show through his years at the forefront of the AFL-CIO.”

Current President John Sweeney previously announced his retirement after 14 years on the job. The new president will be elected at the federation’s September convention in Pittsburgh. President Loeb added, “We are grateful for the efforts of President Sweeney, who has been so instrumental in preserving the integrity of working families in such challenging times.”