In Memoriam: AFSCME Council 20's James Ivey
Monday, November 18, 2013(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Mourning the recent passing of AFSCME District Council 20 President James
Ivey (far left in photo), Council 20 Executive Director Geo T. Johnson
called Ivey a “gentle giant who was truly a man amongst men in the labor
movement.” "James was a committed trades unionist who was devoted to the
welfare of all workers," said Metro Council president Jos Williams. "He gave his
heart and soul to the movement. Our condolences to his family as well as to his
union family. We will all miss him dearly." DC Mayor Vincent Gray said that Ivey
“was always a fierce advocate for the workers of AFSCME District Council 20,
anyone who ever worked with Mr. Ivey could attest to the fact that his
willingness to engage in reasonable compromise ultimately redounded to the
benefit not only of his members, but of all District taxpayers as well.” Ivey,
said Mayor Gray “mastered the art of disagreeing without being
disagreeable.” Ivey also led AFSCME Local 2091, whose members work at DC Water
and the DC Department of Public Works, and served on the District’s Joint
Labor-Management Classification and Compensation Reform Task Force. “I know
that James is in heaven with Sam Gompers, the Reuther Brothers and George
Meany,” added Johnson, “and I know he’ll be bringing them a new
perspective up there.” Memorial services for Ivey will be held this
Thursday, November 21, from 11a to 12:30p at Unity Church, 1225 R St.,
NW photo: Ivey (far left) with Jos Williams, Alex Thompson and Geo
Johnson at the 2012 Evening With Labor; photo by Bill Burke/Page
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