Metal Trades Department Executive Council Appoints Edward Jones to Lead the Department

Washington, DC — The Metal Trades Department (MTD) Executive Council in January announced the appointment of Edward Jones as the next president of the Department. Jones will fulfill the unexpired term of James Hart who retired in November.

Jones, an Ironworker and longtime organizer was chosen by the Executive Council to lead the organization that represents some 50,000 union members across multiple industries including private and Naval shipbuilders and nuclear and petrochemical plants. He will officially take office on January 22.

“I look forward to working with the Executive Council to support our more than 32 Metal Trades Councils across North America,” says Jones. “I know, with the knowledge, assistance, and guidance of the Executive Council, we can grow our Councils and build a stronger Metal Trades family.”

“Ed is an exceptional organizer and leader,” says MTD Executive Council Vice President and International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers General President Terry Larkin. “With Ed at the helm, we believe the Metal Trades can meet the challenges of today’s labor movement and help our Councils thrive.”

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The Metal Trades Department is a trade department of the AFL-CIO. It was chartered in 1908 to coordinate negotiating, organizing and legislative efforts of affiliated metalworking and related crafts and trade unions. Seventeen national and international unions are affiliated with the MTD today. The Department is governed by an Executive Council consisting of eleven International and General Presidents.

More than 100,000 workers in private industry and federal establishments work under contracts negotiated by MTD Councils. Workers retain membership in their own trade unions.