AFSCME President Lee Saunders on the passing of AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director Andrew Washington

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders on the passing of AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director Andrew Washington:

It is with the deepest regret and sadness that the AFSCME family learned of the passing of AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director Andrew Washington last night due to COVID-19. AFSCME sends its condolences to Mr. Washington’s family, colleagues and the workers he represented in Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

When elected in 2014, Washington became the youngest executive director of AFSCME Council 20, which today represents 8,500 federal, private and public sector workers. Washington had a no-nonsense reputation when it came to representing and organizing members, unafraid to take on local leaders on issues of social and economic justice. He served on the national union’s Judicial Panel and was a 2016 graduate of Harvard University’s Trade Union Program.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders said this about Washington’s passing: “My heart is broken by Andrew’s passing, and on behalf of AFSCME’s 1.4 million members I offer the deepest sympathies to his family, colleagues and workers for whom he fought so passionately in Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

“Andrew always brought a fresh perspective to any conversation about our union’s future. Andrew was a tireless champion for the workers he represented and always had their best interests at heart, whether at the bargaining table or the public podium. Andrew’s ideas, commitment and youthful energy are irreplaceable.”