Dennis Gannon, President of the Chicago area’s largest labor organization, has announced he will not seek a third term when officers of the Chicago Federation of Labor are elected in June.
At a meeting earlier this week, Gannon notified the members of the CFL Executive Board, which represents Chicago’s largest local unions.
“I’m tired, I’m a little burnt out and this is a job where you’re on the clock 24/7,” Gannon said.
Gannon did say that this decision was not an easy one to make. Gannon said he had spent the last year discussing it with his wife before he decided it was best for him to step down.
He felt that this would be the best time for him to move on.
“It has been extremely difficult, but the decision not to run for a third term is right for me and my family. I love this labor movement and I have loved this job, but the time is right for me to move on,” Gannon said in a press release on Feb. 4.
As the president of the CFL, Gannon oversees 300 unions, comprised of half a million members. Gannon has been President for the past eight years.
Prior to his presidency, he spent eight years as secretary-treasurer and one year as the assistant to the president. Gannon will continue to serve as president until the end of June.
“I am proud of our many accomplishments during my time at the Chicago Federation of Labor. This job requires 120 percent from a leader who can stand up for working people throughout Chicago and Cook County,” Gannon said.
“But the time is right for new leadership that will continue to move this organization forward on behalf of the people we represent.”
Gannon’s stepping down comes at a very difficult time for the CFL.
The CFL is still trying to fend off a furious push by Wal-Mart to build as many as five Chicago super-centers that sell groceries and pressure to create jobs and boost city revenues.
Last year, Gannon helped engineer a package of cost-cutting concessions that helped Mayor Daley avert more than 1,000 layoffs, including furlough days and comp. time instead of cash overtime.
Gannon said in his press release that he is backing current Secretary-Treasurer Jorge Ramirez for president in the election.
Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.