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John Sweeney
American labor leader
Quick Facts
- In full:
- John Joseph Sweeney
- Died:
- February 1, 2021, Bethesda, Maryland (aged 86)
- Awards And Honors:
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)
John Sweeney (born May 5, 1934, Bronx, New York, U.S.—died February 1, 2021, Bethesda, Maryland) was an American labour leader who served as president of the American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) from 1995 to 2009. Sweeney’s parents were Irish immigrants. His mother was a domestic worker, and his father, a bus driver, was a member of the Transport Workers Union. Sweeney studied economics at Iona College and began his career as a research assistant with the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. In 1961 he joined the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as a contract director for New ...(100 of 297 words)