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November 23, 2009

New Jersey State AFL-CIO Congratulates Steve Sweeney on Election to Senate Presidency

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO proudly congratulates Senator Steve Sweeney, a union member from Iron Workers 399, on his election today to the Senate presidency. Sweeney is a General Organizer for the Iron Workers International Union as well as the Freeholder Director for the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

This landmark election marks the highest office attained to date by any union member from the New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s Labor Candidates Program, and Sweeney’s position is perhaps one of the highest held by any union member in the nation. As Senate president, Sweeney will bring first-hand knowledge of the issues facing working families to his new position. He will also assume the vital role of bringing central working family issues to the forefront of the legislative agenda.

Gloucester County’s Steve Sweeney has represented the interests of New Jerseyans in the 3rd Legislative District since 2002 and served as the Senate Majority Leader beginning in 2008. He has championed causes to benefit working families across the state as well as all sectors of the labor movement. Such causes include sponsorship of the historic Paid Family Leave program, card check in the public sector, project labor agreements, expanding the application for prevailing wages, and fighting to raise the minimum wage.

Senator Sweeney’s election today is encouraging to all New Jersey working families who want public policies that help build the middle class and put our state in a position to grow and prosper in the years ahead. We can now look forward to working with a proven friend and union brother in one of our state’s highest and most prestigious offices.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO congratulates all those legislators elected today: Assembly Sheila Oliver (District 3) made history after being elected as the first African American woman to serve as Assembly Speaker. She will be succeeding retiring speaker Joe Roberts (District 5). Senator Barbara Buono (District 18) was elected Senate Majority Leader, and in the Assembly, Joe Cryan (District 20) was elected Majority Leader.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO also congratulates Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (District 21) and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (District 26) who were both re-elected to their leadership positions earlier this month.

The next legislative session is scheduled to begin January 12, 2010 at which time the newly elected legislators will assume their leadership positions.

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