NASHVILLE, TN -- Steelworker Billy Dycus has been elected as the new president of the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council. He succeeds Gary Moore, who chose not to seek re-election after serving as president since 2011.
"I am grateful and humbled that the affiliates representing thousands of hard-working Tennesseans of the Tennessee AFL-CIO have elected me to represent Labor throughout the state," Dycus said. "President Gary Moore and his staff have done an amazing job managing the many difficult issues facing Labor and working people over the last four years. I look forward to growing Labor and providing workers the dignity and rights they so deserve by assembling a staff that is diverse, highly-motivated, and willing to meet the challenges of an ever-changing workplace and political landscape."
Previously, Dycus served as the president of United Steelworkers Local 1155L in Morrison, Tennessee.
"I want to extend congratulations to Billy Dycus upon his election to the office of President of the Tennessee AFL-CIO," Moore said. "As we move forward with our familiar and constant Labor battles, I know Billy will do a great job. I wish him and the new Executive Board the best of luck in their endeavors fighting for the working men and women of Tennessee."
Current Tennessee AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer A.J. Starling was re-elected to serve another term. "I look forward to working with President Dycus and our staff to continue to serve working men and women in our state," Starling said. "I am confident in Billy's leadership and know that he will be a valuable asset to working families throughout Tennessee."
In addition to Dycus, the following Executive Board members were elected to new positions: Paul Shaffer (Executive Vice President), Norm Jenks (1st Vice President), Rickey Wallace (2nd Vice President), and James Morrow (3rd Vice President. Donnie Beechum, John Ledwell, Kevin Huddleston, Gary Watkins, Kevin McGavock, and Johnny Orton were sworn in as new Executive Board members.
All of the Tennessee AFL-CIO staff members and affiliates congratulate President Dycus and all of the newly-elected Executive Board members on their positions. The Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council represents over 60,000 working men and women throughout the state.