Chavez-Thompson Tends Her Roots

After she retires today, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson says she plans to do something she has not been able to do for a very long time -- grow a garden. Chavez-Thompson informed AFL-CIO President John Sweeney Sept. 10 that she planned to retire effective Sept. 21 and return to San Antonio, Texas, to be with her family -- two children and two grandchildren, reports BNA. In an interview with BNA's Michelle Amber last week, Chavez-Thompson looked back at her accomplishments during her tenure at the AFL-CIO and reflected on her future plans. "If I've made a difference in the lives of union members, if I've changed something in the movement to connect [members] to a deeper movement, then the last 12 years were worth it," Chavez-Thompson told BNA, adding that the people she met over the years had made a difference in her life. "Just when I thought I couldn't stand another piece of lost luggage or another flight delay, I would meet inspirational people who would give me an adrenal jump and new energy," she said. "I hope I've become a voice for those not heard or seen at the highest levels of the federation," Chavez-Thompson added. BNA reports that "Chavez-Thompson expects to be busy during her retirement, having agreed to continue many of her current duties as the federation's first executive vice president emerita. She said Sweeney has asked her to continue chairing the AFL-CIO Executive Council's immigration committee and serve as an adviser to state federations and labor councils."