By SDCN Editor
Sacramento, CA–CA Assemblywoman, Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher has resigned her position from the State Assembly effective this Wednesday and will join the California Labor Federation team.
She made the announcement on Monday on her Twitter account:
“I just announced my resignation from the State Assembly so that I can accept a job with the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO in preparation for becoming its leader in July. This move will allow me to continue my life’s commitment to serve & empower working Californians.”
In her new role, Gonzalez Fletcher will work alongside Federation staff and Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski to advance the Federation’s 2022 agenda at a critical moment in labor’s history. Upon Pulaski’s anticipated retirement in July, the Federation Executive Council announced its intent to have Gonzalez succeed Pulaski as Chief Officer of the Federation. A formal vote by the council will occur upon Pulaski’s retirement. Pulaski has served as Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer since 1996. Under his leadership, the California labor movement grew by 500,000 members, and he spearheaded monumental victories for working people, including paid family leave and a record minimum wage increase.
“I couldn’t think of a more qualified, passionate, and committed leader to continue the critical advocacy of working people at the nation’s largest state federation of unions,” said Pulaski. “Assemblymember Gonzalez lives and breathes union values every day. We couldn’t be more excited for Gonzalez’s return to the labor movement and look forward to her trademark tenacity on workers’ issues helping to advance the Federation’s pro-worker agenda for years to come.”
Gonzalez Fletcher spent over 8 years in the State Assembly representing the 80th district in San Diego county.
As Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, she became the first Latina to serve as the Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee in 2016.
She explained in a tweet why she was resigning from the State Assembly.
“We did a lot. But, the only way to truly change the lives of working Californians is to empower them at work. No law is ever as powerful as a union contract. So, now, I will simply continue my service by singularly focusing on strengthening the labor movement. Thank you.”
In August, Gonzalez Fletcher was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer. She continued her duties in the Assembly while seeking aggressive treatment. In September, she announced she was cancer-free.