Public Employee Press

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Lee Saunders
A battle-hardened union warrior

Lee Saunders is the new Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, which represents 1.6 million workers.

He was elected to the second-highest position in DC 37's parent union at its International Convention in July.

Saunders previously served as executive assistant to AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, managing what is acknowledged to be among the most effective political and legislative operations in the history of the U.S. labor movement. AFSCME's clout in mobilizing members, raising funds and lobbying are unmatched in the AFL-CIO.

Building on ideas generated by local unions, Saunders has championed AFSCME's Next Wave initiative to encourage and develop the next generation of union leaders. He also developed and supported programs that foster diversity and promote increased member participation within the union.
Saunders has served as administrator of a number of AFSCME councils and large local unions across the country. From 1998 to 2002, he served as administrator of DC 37, helping restore the council's fiscal health, strength and good name.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts called Saunders "a battle-hardened warrior who made DC 37 his home for four years to help us recover from our darkest days," and praised him for "returning the union to its members with honest leadership and integrity." She said she was honored to second his nomination at the convention.

Saunders is a member of the Democratic National Committee and serves on the executive boards of the 21st Century Committee of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute and the Progressive States Network, which supports progressive state legislators with research, policy and strategic resources.

He grew up in a union household in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was a bus driver and a member of the Amalgamated Transit Union and his mother was a community college professor and a member of the American Association of University Professors.

Saunders received a master of arts degree from Ohio State University in 1974 and an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters in 2002 from the College of New Rochelle.

Lee and his wife Lynne live in Washington, DC, and have two sons, Lee Jr. and Ryan.