January 2, 2007                                   
Contact:  Dana Kennedy
(602) 631-4488 ext. 229
Cell (480) 225-1275

For immediate Release:                                                            

Rebekah Friend Appointed Executive Director of the Arizona AFL-CIO

Another Woman to Make History in the Labor Movement!

(Phoenix, AZ)  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 Arizona AFL-CIO; and in the past five years, we have made significant strides to bring together Arizona’s union movement to make a difference for Arizona’s Working Families. The work is not finished and I remain committed to the organization to ensure that working families’ issues are at the forefront of our elected officials. Although I am stepping down from the daily operations, I will continue to be involved. Rebekah and I have worked side-by-side for the past five years and she is ready and well prepared for this challenge. 

Friend stated, “I am thrilled to take on this challenge. I have worked closely with Michael for the past five years and it will be difficult to fill his shoes, but we will continue to work closely through this transition.” 

Michael E. McGrath was elected secretary-treasurer of the Arizona AFL-CIO in 2002, and was re-elected to a second term in June 2003.  In 2003 with Friend at his side, McGrath  re-energized the Arizona labor movement by leading efforts to install a new governing structure called the “New Alliance,” which has increased affiliation participation in Arizona AFL-CIO programs. Under his leadership, Arizona union members created the successful and unprecedented Labor 2002, 2003 and 2004, 2005 and 2006 programs, which increased union voter registration by over 10 percent and elected labor-friendly candidates including Governor Janet Napolitano, Congressman Raul Grijalva, Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords, Attorney General Terry Goddard and 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 Arizona legislature, Friend is following with being the first female executive director of the Arizona AFL-CIO.  Friend will be one of the only female executive directors to head a state AFL-CIO in the country. Friend was the first female-elected president of the Arizona chapter of the national AFL-CIO representing 13 million people and 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 and raised the minimum wage to $6.75 with a cost of living adjustment every year.  She also developed legislation to improve unemployment insurance and 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 first president of the Coalition for Labor Union Women in Maricopa County, lobbying state legislators on pay equity bills affecting female workers. In 2002, Friend was presented a lifetime achievement award by the Arizona Democratic Party by being inducted into the “Hall of Fame.”

Rebekah is the Co-Chair and a founder of Emerge Arizona, a comprehensive training program which recruits, trains and 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.

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