Release #: 19.08
March 15, 2019

ALPA President Capt. Joe DePete Joins AFL-CIO Executive Council

Capt. Joe DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), was appointed to the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) this week at the council’s annual winter meeting.

“I am grateful that professional airline pilots will continue to have a strong voice at the highest levels within the largest federation of labor unions in our country,” said Capt. DePete. “ALPA has a long history of solidarity and partnership within the AFL-CIO, and I am excited to continue working with AFL-CIO leadership as we uphold the dignity of work and ensure that the rights and safety of all workers are protected.”

The AFL-CIO Executive Council is composed of 55 democratically elected officials and the three top officers of the AFL-CIO. The council is tasked with guiding the work of the federation, which represents 12.5 million working men and women. In addition to the Executive Council, Capt. DePete was also appointed to serve on the International Committee as well as the Legislative and Policy Committee.

“ALPA has been a strong partner in the labor movement for decades,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “ALPA’s shared commitment to safety and protecting the rights of workers to collectively bargain is among the reasons the Executive Council is proud to have Capt. DePete’s voice. His lifelong commitment to unions and his strong leadership is an asset to the AFL-CIO as we seek to uphold and strengthen the rights of working people.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 61,000 pilots at 33 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

-###-

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org