Are you curious about the AFSCME president’s salary, net worth, age, family, personal life and bio? If so, you are not alone. Many people want to know more about the leader of one of the largest and most influential labor unions in the United States. In this article, we will provide you with the latest and most accurate information about Lee Saunders, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) since 2012. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about him and his role in the labor movement.
Who is Lee Saunders?
Lee Saunders is a leader of the labor movement in the United States. He was elected to succeed Gerald W. McEntee as President of the 1.6 million-member AFSCME, one of the largest and most politically active unions in the AFL-CIO, on June 21, 2012, during the union’s 40th International Convention in Los Angeles. Saunders served as Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME from 2010 to 2012.
Saunders grew up in a union household in Cleveland, Ohio. He joined the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) in 1974 when he began working for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services. In 1978, he began his career with AFSCME as a labor economist, serving in various capacities until he became an International Vice President of AFSCME in 2004.
Saunders is a vice president of the AFL-CIO Executive Council and was named chair of the labor federation’s Political Committee in 2012. He is an at-large member of the Democratic Party National Committee, treasurer of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and president of Working America. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio University and a Master of Arts degree from Ohio State University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters by the College of New Rochelle in 2002.
Saunders and his wife Lynne live in Washington, D.C. They have two sons, Lee Jr. and Ryan.
What is AFSCME?
AFSCME is a union that represents public service workers across the country, such as nurses, corrections officers, child care providers, sanitation workers, librarians, firefighters and more. AFSCME’s mission is to ensure dignity and security for its members and their families by fighting for decent wages, benefits, working conditions, retirement security and quality public services.
AFSCME was founded in 1932 in Wisconsin by a group of state employees who wanted to improve their working conditions during the Great Depression. Since then, AFSCME has grown to become one of the largest and most diverse unions in the nation, with members in every state and every sector of public service.
AFSCME is governed by its members through a democratic structure that includes local unions, councils, affiliates, advisory committees, sector caucuses and retirees chapters. Every four years, AFSCME holds an international convention where delegates elect the president, secretary-treasurer and international vice presidents and debate and vote on resolutions and amendments that guide the union’s policies and actions.
How much does Lee Saunders make as AFSCME president?
According to the latest available data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Lee Saunders earned a gross salary of $351,652 in 2020 as AFSCME president. This amount includes his base salary of $325,000 plus allowances for housing and transportation. His net worth is not publicly disclosed.
How to become AFSCME president?
To become AFSCME president, one must be a member in good standing of an AFSCME local union or affiliate for at least two years prior to nomination. One must also be nominated by at least 20 delegates at an international convention and receive a majority of votes from all delegates present and voting.
What are some of Lee Saunders’ achievements as AFSCME president?
Since becoming AFSCME president in 2012, Lee Saunders has led the union through some of the most challenging times for public service workers and the labor movement. Some of his achievements include:
- Defending collective bargaining rights against anti-union attacks from politicians and corporations in states like Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa.
- Organizing thousands of new members in sectors such as home care, child care, higher education and behavioral health.
- Launching AFSCME Strong, a member engagement program that trains activists to recruit new members and mobilize existing ones for political action.
- Winning historic victories for public service workers at the ballot box, such as raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicaid, funding public education and defeating anti-worker ballot measures.
- Advocating for federal legislation that supports public service workers and their communities, such as the American Rescue Plan Act that provided $350 billion in aid to state and local governments.
- Building coalitions with other unions and social justice groups to fight for racial, economic and environmental justice and democracy reform.
Lee Saunders’ Bio in Table
Name | Lee Saunders |
---|---|
Occupation | President of AFSCME |
Born | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
Education | Ohio University (BA), Ohio State University (MA) |
Spouse | Lynne |
Children | Lee Jr. and Ryan |
Previous Positions | Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME, International Vice President of AFSCME, Administrator of AFSCME District Council 37, Labor Economist of AFSCME |
Other Affiliations | Vice President of the AFL-CIO Executive Council, Chair of the AFL-CIO Political Committee, At-Large Member of the Democratic Party National Committee, Treasurer of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, President of Working America |
Conclusion
Lee Saunders is a respected and influential leader of the labor movement and the president of AFSCME, one of the largest and most diverse unions in the United States. He has dedicated his life to fighting for public service workers and their families, as well as for social and economic justice for all. He has faced many challenges and obstacles, but he has also achieved many victories and successes. He continues to lead AFSCME with vision, courage and determination.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How long has Lee Saunders been AFSCME president?
A: Lee Saunders has been AFSCME president since June 21, 2012.
Q: How old is Lee Saunders? A: Lee Saunders’ exact age is not publicly known, but he was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
Q: How did Lee Saunders become involved in the labor movement?
A: Lee Saunders became involved in the labor movement when he joined the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) in 1974 as a state employee. He then began his career with AFSCME in 1978 as a labor economist.
Q: What are some of the issues that Lee Saunders cares about?
A: Some of the issues that Lee Saunders cares about are collective bargaining rights, fair wages and benefits, retirement security, quality public services, racial justice, democracy reform and environmental protection.
Q: What are some of the challenges that Lee Saunders faces as AFSCME president?
A: Some of the challenges that Lee Saunders faces as AFSCME president are anti-union attacks from politicians and corporations, declining union density, economic inequality, political polarization and COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: What are some of the goals that Lee Saunders has for AFSCME?
A: Some of the goals that Lee Saunders has for AFSCME are organizing new members, engaging existing members, building power at the workplace and in the community, electing pro-worker candidates and advancing a pro-worker agenda.
Q: How can I join AFSCME or support its work?
A: You can join AFSCME or support its work by contacting your local union or council, visiting its website at www.afscme.org or following it on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Q: How can I contact Lee Saunders or send him a message?
A: You can contact Lee Saunders or send him a message by writing to him at AFSCME Headquarters, 1625 L Street NW, Washington DC 20036 or by emailing him at president@afscme.org.
Q: What are some of the awards or honors that Lee Saunders has received?
A: Some of the awards or honors that Lee Saunders has received are an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the College of New Rochelle in 2002, the NAACP Chairman’s Award in 2013, the Thurgood Marshall Award from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 2014 and the Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in 2017.
Q: Where can I find more information about Lee Saunders or AFSCME?
A: You can find more information about Lee Saunders or AFSCME by visiting their websites at www.afscme.org or www.leesaunders.org or by reading their publications such as Public Service Report or The Leader.