Convention Delegates Elect Richard W. Bloomingdale, President and Frank Snyder, Secretary Treasurer of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

PITTSBURGH, April 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Richard W. Bloomingdale was elected President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO today - becoming just the fourth President to serve as the top labor leader in Pennsylvania - on the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the State Labor Federation. Bloomingdale steps up to the Presidency after having served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO since 1994. Frank Snyder, a member of the United Steelworkers Union and a former AFL-CIO Field Director for Pennsylvania, was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, the second highest position in Pennsylvania's Labor Movement.

Both Bloomingdale and Snyder were elected by unanimous acclamation of delegates, attending the 39th Constitutional Convention of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO being held in Pittsburgh at the David L Lawrence Convention Center. Their four-year terms start on June 1, 2010. The Convention runs until tomorrow, April 15, 2010.

Both Bloomingdale and Snyder said they were honored to be given the opportunity to serve the affiliates and members of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO which represents over 900,000 workers in Pennsylvania.

"Our mission is improving the living standards and quality of life for all workers. Today, workers are facing the toughest economic challenges since the formation of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. These difficult challenges present historic opportunities for all of us to secure greater progress for all workers. Labor must continue to lead in the struggle for good jobs now and in giving all workers the strong voice they need and deserve to build a better a life for their families and their communities. Together we will build an economy that works for all not just the few," Bloomingdale said.

In thanking the Convention delegates Snyder welcomed, "all workers who share our values and vision to join us," in the pursuit of a more just society with greater opportunities for today and tomorrow's workers.

"More workers, especially younger workers, are looking to unions for solutions to the issues they face not only at the worksite but also in their neighborhoods and communities. Together we can and we will push the boundaries of progress and opportunity forward for today's workers and for future generations as we have done in the past," Snyder said.  

Prior to his election in 1994 as Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Bloomingdale served as the State Political and Legislative Director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 13 in which he was instrumental in the enactment of agency shop legislation in Pennsylvania.  In 1992 he served in Little Rock, Arkansas as Labor Liaison for the Clinton for President Campaign. In December 2003 he was appointed by Governor Ed Rendell and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve on the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review and in August 2005 he was appointed by the Governor as Chairman of the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review. Bloomingdale is also a member of the PA Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council. Rick and his wife, Karen, reside in Harrisburg and have two children – Nick and Lindsey.

Frank Snyder began his union career in the steel industry in Western Pennsylvania where he rose to become the President of United Steelworkers Amalgamated Local 8148 representing workers in manufacturing, healthcare and public employees. Snyder has served in various capacities of the United Steelworkers Union as a labor education instructor for USW District 10 and District 20. In 1996 Snyder became an organizer for Steelworkers District 10 and was recruited in 1999 to serve the AFL-CIO as special assistant to Northeast Region Director. In this capacity he was involved in several national organizing campaigns with various international unions including: United Steelworkers, Communication Workers of America, American Federation of Teachers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Snyder has also been involved in AFL-CIO political and legislative programs and activities including serving as the Pennsylvania State Director for the National AFL-CIO in coordination with the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. Frank and his wife Cathy reside in Economy Borough, Beaver County, Pennsylvania and have three children: Monica, Scott, and Kevin.

SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

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