The President of the Kentucky AFL-CIO, Bill Londrigan, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about stepping down after leading the state labor federation for 24 years. Londrigan also talked about the state’s relationship with Ford Motor Co. and his hopes for the younger generation of workers.
Stepping down was never an easy choice for Londrigan, but after 24 years of leadership, it was time to let a younger generation take the reins. Londrigan made it his job to leave a lasting impact on the labor movement in Kentucky, even while it’s not always been the most union-friendly state. With a surging youth movement and a growing Electric Vehicle infrastructure thanks to Project Labor Agreements he negotiated, Londrigan is leaving his position in a better place than when he started. While he is stepping down, Londrigan said he’ll never leave the labor movement and will continue to promote pro-union efforts.
Ford Motor Company has been a long-time friend to union workers in Kentucky. As the home to one of the largest battery plants in the country, Kentucky has a growing EV infrastructure centered around Ford’s electric initiatives. This plant has added thousands of good, union jobs to the state and helped lift residents into the middle class, Londrigan said. It’s a testament to the history and workers’ ability that Ford has chosen Kentucky to help establish the heart of its United States EV development plans.
Londrigan will remain Kentucky AFL-CIO president until the end of 2023, plus another 60-day period to help transition the newly elected president into their new role. He’s optimistic that the vote will promote the hard work he’s seen from the younger members. Along with filling the roles within the Kentucky AFL-CIO, the younger generation of labor members are being trained to move into political roles as well. Several members interested in the political process and impacting the state’s worker protections are ready to step up and lead the next wave of labor leaders in Kentucky, Londrigan said.
To hear more from Londrigan, please press play on the episode above.
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