Council 93 Executive Director Frank Moroney's recent election to the AFSCME International Executive Board was formalized today at a swearing in ceremony with AFSCME International President Lee Saunders in Washington, DC.

President Saunders administered the oath of office to Moroney during a meeting of the AFSCME International Executive Board. While Moroney has been serving as the International Vice President (IVP) from Northern New England since December, today marked the first executive board meeting since his election.

"It is truly a pleasure to welcome Frank Moroney as our newest International Vice President," said AFSCME International President Lee Saunders. "These are extraordinarily challenging times for public service workers. Frank's commitment to fighting for AFSCME members and working families will be a strong asset as we simultaneously defend against attacks and work to move our agenda forward. For many years now, AFSCME members in Northern New England have benefitted from Frank Moroney watching their backs. Now, every AFSCME member in the country will benefit from Frank's leadership, knowledge and fighting spirit."

A union leader and activist for more than four decades, Moroney was nominated last November to fill the vacant IVP position by a unanimous vote of the AFSCME Local 804 Executive Board. After facing no opposition during the nomination period, he received a congratulatory call from President Saunders in December informing him he was elected to fill the remainder of a four-year term that will expire in 2016.

While he has been an active and vocal IVP since his first day on the job, today was the first meeting of the International Executive Board since Moroney's election and his first opportunity to meet with all of his colleagues in a formal setting. "It is truly an honor and a privilege to be part of the AFSCME International Executive Board," said Moroney. "It's a tremendous feeling to be part of such an experienced and knowledgeable board. We all share a great deal in common, yet we all have our distinct differences and we all face our own unique challenges in our regions. While it's troubling to know we are facing attacks in virtually every area of the country, it's also heartening to know that we are all part of a big family who can draw on each other for support and creative ideas and solutions. I look forward to making valuable contributions as an International Vice President and I also look forward to drawing on the experience and resources of my fellow board members and President Saunders and Secretary-Treasurer Reyes as we continue to strive to improve the servicing and representation of AFSCME members throughout Northern New England."