New Arizona AFL-CIO Executive Director

Today the Executive Board of the Arizona AFL-CIO announced that its president, Rebekah Friend is the new Arizona AFL-CIO executive director to manage the organizations’ day-to-day operations.

Michael McGrath recently stepped down as executive director, but will remain the organization’s secretary-treasurer. McGrath stated, “It’s been an amazing experience to run the day-to-day operations of the Az. AFL-CIO; & in the past 5 years, we have made significant strides to bring together Az.’s union movement to make a difference for Az.’s Working Families. The work's not finished & I remain committed to the organization to ensure that working families’ issues are at the forefront of our elected officials. Although I'm stepping down from the daily operations, I'll continue to be involved. Rebekah & I've worked side-by-side for the past 5 years & she's ready & well prepared for this challenge.

Friend stated, “I'm thrilled to take on this challenge. I've worked closely with Michael for the past 5 years & it'll be difficult to fill his shoes, but we'll continue to work closely through this transition.”

Michael E. McGrath was elected secretary-treasurer of the Az. AFL-CIO in 2002, & was re-elected to a 2nd term in June 2003. In 2003 with Friend at his side, McGrath re-energized the Az. labor movement by leading efforts to install a new governing structure called the “New Alliance,” which has increased affiliation participation in Az. AFL-CIO programs. Under his leadership, Az. union members created the successful & unprecedented Labor 2002, 2003 & 2004, 2005 & 2006 programs, which increased union voter registration by over 10% & elected labor-friendly candidates including Gov. Napolitano, Congressman Raul Grijalva, Harry Mitchell & Gabrielle Giffords, Attorney General Terry Goddard & Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon — just to name a few.

At a time when women are making history at the nation’s Capitol as well as at the Az. legislature, Friend is following with being the 1st female executive director of the Az. AFL-CIO. Friend will be 1 of the only female executive directors to head a state AFL-CIO in the country. Friend was the 1st female-elected president of the Az. chapter of the national AFL-CIO representing 13 million people & 64 unions. A member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for over 25 years, she understands the importance of creating equal opportunities for all working individuals.

Friend successful chaired the Minimum Wage Coalition which brought Prop 202 to the ballot & raised the minimum wage to $6.75 with a cost of living adjustment every year. She also developed legislation to improve unemployment insurance & workers' compensation for union members. In 2002 before the issue was so divisive, Friend coordinated the Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride to raise awareness for immigrant workers' rights. Friend was instrumental in lobbying legislators to implement a state-wide Cesar Chavez Day to recognize Arizona's immigrant farm workers.

Friend served as the 1st president of the Coalition for Labor Union Women in Maricopa Co., lobbying state legislators on pay equity bills affecting female workers. In 2002, Friend was presented a lifetime achievement award by the Az. Democratic Party by being inducted into the “Hall of Fame.”

Rebekah is the Co-Chair & a founder of Emerge Arizona, a comprehensive training program which recruits, trains & inspires women to run for office. In 2004, Rebekah was awarded the YWCA's Woman of the Year the highest award for a Civic Leader.