Liz Shuler’s ascension to AFL-CIO chief comes at a critical time for the nation’s largest labor group, which is grappling with declining union membership, union-busting corporate giants and a Democratic Congress that is struggling to pass pro-worker priorities.
American labor movement looks to Oregon women for new leader, solidarity
Updated Jan 30, 2021;
Posted Jan 30, 2021
Liz Shuler, left, and Sara Nelson grew up in Oregon 87 miles apart. Now they are two of the most powerful people in all of American labor.
Facebook Share
After a historically chaotic presidential election, another important national political race is shaping up – this one with extraordinary Oregon connections.
The AFL-CIO, the nation’s most powerful labor group, will likely elect a new president at its next convention. For the first time, two leading candidates are women. And both are from Oregon.
Liz Shuler, who grew up in Milwaukie, is the current second-in-command at the AFL-CIO. She has ascended with lightning speed to the highest levels of American labor, motivated in part by a corrupt corporation that exacted a painful toll on her family.