Liz Shuler

Elizabeth H. Shuler is president of the AFL-CIO, the democratic federation of 60 national and international unions that represent 12.5 million working people. Shuler is the first woman leader of America’s labor movement.

A visionary leader and longtime trade unionist, Shuler believes the labor movement is the single most powerful vehicle for progress and that unions are a central force in leading lasting societal transformations.

Shuler was elected by acclamation to serve as AFL-CIO president on June 12, 2022. She first held the office after being elected by the AFL-CIO Executive Council on Aug. 20, 2021, following the unexpected death of her predecessor, Richard Trumka.

In 2009, Shuler became the first woman elected to the position of secretary-treasurer at an AFL-CIO convention and the youngest woman ever on the federation’s Executive Council.

Shuler’s father, Lance, was a power lineman and longtime member of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 125 at Portland General Electric. Her late mother, Joyce, worked as an estimator in the company’s service and design department. Shuler began her labor career in 1993, when she began working at Local 125.