NEARI’s Crowley assumes #2 role at R.I. AFL-CIO

PROVIDENCE --Longtime teachers-union lobbyist Patrick Crowley was unanimously elected as the next secretary-treasurer of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, representing nearly 80,000 workers in diverse industries across the state.

In that capacity, he will serve as the number two person behind R.I. AFL-CIO President George Nee.

He succeeded Maureen Martin, who is retiring after 10 years as secretary-treasurer. The election, in which Crowley was not contested, took place Feb. 24.

Crowley said he will fill out the remaining two years of Martin’s four-year term. Previously, he served on the executive board.

Crowley said his duties in the part-time role will be to help ensure the organization maintain a strong financial position, and working with affiliates to organize new members.

Currently, 19 percent of Rhode Island workers are unionized, Crowley said.

“There’s no reason we can’t get that to 25 percent in the near future. And that’s what I will work to do.

Crowley has dedicated 25 years in the labor movement, the last 15 at the National Education Association Rhode Island, where he now serves as its chief lobbyist as the assistant executive director in government relations. kmulvane@ providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7417 On Twitter: @kmulvane