Lori Pelletier started off 2014 with three goals in mind: protecting workers’ rights in a struggling economy, influencing the gubernatorial election, and shaping the skill set of the state’s next generation workforce.
“We did OK on those three things,” Pelletier said. “It is amazing to me that a year has already gone by.”
Pelletier took over as the head of the Connecticut AFL-CIO in September 2013, replacing John Olsen, who led the organization and the state’s organized labor group for 25 years. In assuming the position, Pelletier became the first gay leader of the union and the first woman to hold the title of executive-secretary.
The big win for Pelletier came in November when incumbent Gov. Dannel P. Malloy secured his second term in office by beating Republican challenger Tom Foley. His victory was due in no small part to the organized labor voting block, and Pelletier made sure local unions had members volunteering and advocating for the campaign.
“We did an incredible job with the election,” Pelletier said.
The legislative session in the first half of 2014 was more about playing defense for Pelletier. The union lobby worked to make sure no measures were passed that infringed workers’ rights, she said. They also tried to keep public opinion from turning against organized labor.
“The legislative session was fine,” Pelletier said. “We didn’t have to push back against any attacks that you saw in many of the other states.”
Workforce development moved more slowly than the other two goals for 2014, Pelletier said, but the unemployment rate did fall during the year, and the state is making headway in ensuring colleges and trade schools are providing the skills necessary for industry’s future needs, particularly with advanced manufacturing.
In her first full year in the role of executive-secretary, Pelletier said she had more time to have one-on-one conversations with union members on their opinions and needs. One of the main themes from those conversations is increased distress over the disparity between the salaries and lifestyles of upper management compared to rank-and-file workers.
“There used to be a time when if Wall Street was going good that Main Street was doing good,” Pelletier said. “That isn’t the case anymore.”
