David Cecil has been named to the newly created position of chief of staff for the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)-Oregon.
AFT-Oregon represents roughly 12,000 Oregon workers from 20 locals in K-12, community college and higher education in faculty and classified positions; and child care workers, in both public and private sectors.
The chief of staff directs and coordinates AFT-Oregon staff, programs, and operations, and reports directly to the president of the council, David Rives.
AFT-Oregon chose this new direction with the retirement in February of Richard Schwarz, who served 24 years as AFT-Oregon executive director.
Cecil brings over 13 years as a union leader, organizer, and labor relations specialist to the post.
He joined AFT Local 3544 in 1999 as a Graduate Teaching Fellow in the history department at the University of Oregon in Eugene. He served as an officer in the local until 2002, when he was hired as organizer. In 2011, he began work on the successful United Academics at University of Oregon organizing campaign, helping to form AFT-Oregon’s newest unit, which now represents 1,800 faculty at the UO in Eugene.
He joined AFT-Oregon staff in August 2012 as labor relations specialist. Recently, he has assisted United Academics in their efforts to achieve a first collective bargaining agreement with the UO.
“I’m excited because there’s a lot of potential in AFT-Oregon,” Cecil said. “The labor movement is at a crucial point in its history. And, the way to be successful in growing the union is to have active locals with members who understand the value of their union, not just in the workplace, but in the community as well. I’m committed to helping AFT-Oregon locals and members strengthen our union, and the movement as a whole.”
