Jerry Butkiewicz told voiceofsandiego.org today that he will step down as the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council’s secretary-treasurer after serving as its lead executive for more than a decade. During his tenure, organized labor made significant inroads in local politics and business.
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| Jerry Butkiewicz |
Butkiewicz’s resignation comes less than a year before he would have to seek reelection for another four-year term, which he said he did not want to have to complete. His resignation is effective at the end of 2007, at which point the board representing 120,000 unionized workers would appoint an interim secretary-treasurer until April’s election.
Butkiewicz, 54, earned his union stripes as a postal worker before ascending to the top post in the region’s labor community in 1996. Under his leadership, labor played vital roles in the campaigns for local elected officials and public works projects such as the Convention Center expansion and the construction of Petco Park. He also forged unusually strong relationships with the local business community, serving on the board of directors of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
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