Lawmaker poised to head AFL-CIO

Tolman foe drops out of union race

August 31, 2011|By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

State Senator Steven A. Tolman is poised to become the next president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, after his lone rival yesterday dropped out of the race to lead the state’s largest labor group.

Tim Sullivan’s decision to bow out spares the AFL-CIO a potentially divisive leadership struggle as it seeks a president to replace Robert J. Haynes, who has led the group since 1998 and is stepping down in October.

Sullivan, the AFL-CIO’s 31-year-old lobbyist and spokesman, had been pitching himself as the voice of a younger generation of workers, particularly white-collar employees who feel disconnected from the labor movement. He had also been endorsed by Haynes.

Tolman, a veteran state senator and former railroad worker with deep ties to labor leaders, had been campaigning on his experience and ability to navigate Beacon Hill.

In a statement, Sullivan said that he decided to drop out because he believes Tolman shares his vision for the AFL-CIO, which represents 400,000 union workers in Massachusetts.

“I have campaigned on the notion that unions need to build a team of diverse labor leaders that is representative of the workforce in order to put the focus back onto workers where it belongs,’’ Sullivan said. “Senator Tolman agrees with this notion. Rather than spend the next number of weeks campaigning against one another in pursuit of nearly identical goals, I am excited to become part of one team to build a plan for the future and unite the labor movement anew.’’

Tolman, a Brighton Democrat, said he welcomed Sullivan’s support and looks forward to working with him after the AFL-CIO holds its election in October. Tolman then plans to resign from the Senate.

Michael Levenson can be reached at mlevenson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @mlevenson.

READER COMMENTS »

View reader comments » Comment on this story »