News Release:

Denver Area Labor Federation Announces John Fleck as New Leader

Date: December 20, 2007

Contact: John Fleck (720) 201-6521

Delegates of the Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF) unanimously elected John Fleck as their new President on December 11, 2007.  Fleck takes over leadership of the 55,000-member AFL-CIO body after Leslie Moody, who led the group for 10 years, stepped down to run the national non-profit Partnership for Working Families.  Although he assumes leadership of the body immediately, he is expected to transition into his full-time role with the organization in early 2008.

John Fleck, a Business Agent with the Sheet Metal Workers Local #9, has been a union member for twenty-five years.  A graduate of the Sheet Metal Apprenticeship, worked as a construction worker for more than a decade.  He has also championed standards in the heating, ventilation and air

conditioning industry (HVAC) in many capacities--as an active member engaged in building construction and mentoring new apprentices, as an organizer working in partnership with contractors and workers, to an elected union leader advocating for improved workplace standards. 

DALF's newly elected President is also a leader in the broader community.  He is a member of the Arapahoe Douglas Workforce Investment Board, and a member of the Board of Directors of the non-profit labor-community policy action center FRESC.  He is the Vice President of the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council, which is comprised of 31 crafts who are part of 15 national and international unions. 

As the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council for the Denver Metro Area, DALF represents more than 55,000 union members through its political and organizing programs. Founded in 1882, the Federation works with local and national labor and community organizations around policies and initiatives in support of worker rights.  This includes support for union organizing, as well as education and endorsement of candidates seeking elected office.  DALF also serves as a forum for the labor movement to partner with community organizations on issues that impact all workers, and those that affect union members where they live.

As a graduate of a registered apprenticeship program, one of Fleck's highest priorities is ensuring the region develops systems to train the next generation of skilled construction workers.  This includes forging a connection between the new energy economy and development of good jobs.  Fleck was actively involved in the labor-community coalition Campaign for Responsible Development that negotiated to achieve affordable housing, job standards and environmental clean-up at the Gates Rubber Factory.  Continuing and furthering DALF's role in partnerships between labor and the community is another high priority for Fleck. 

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