Providence – Michael McDonald has been elected as the new president of Council 94, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AFSCME, following the death of longtime president J. Michael Downey.
McDonald, a landscape maintenance technician at the University of Rhode Island for over 20 years, has served as the president of URI Local 528 and as a state vice president for the past 13 years.
Mary Townsend, the union’s executive vice president, announced McDonald’s election, noting that the Executive Board’s decision was in line with AFSCME’s constitution.
McDonald expressed his commitment to advancing the union’s organizing, political, and membership services, and aims to build a stronger union for Rhode Island workers.
Council 94 represents over 10,000 active and retired state, municipal, and private sector employees.