Shannon Lederer

As director of immigration for the AFL-CIO, Shannon Lederer works with unions and allies in all sectors of the economy to develop and advance inclusive policies that promote workers' rights and shared prosperity.  She supports unions in activities that range from legislative and regulatory advocacy to citizenship clinics, organizing drives and contract negotiations. Shannon also works closely with the Council of Global Unions to develop cross-border strategies to more effectively represent and defend workers who are on the move. Her 25 years in the labor movement started at the American Federation Teachers, where she worked with brave Filipino teachers who had been trafficked into jobs in U.S. public schools through abusive guestworker visa programs. Since then, she has recognized that we cannot expect to lift labor standards in our country until all working people are assured fundamental rights and protections.  She has a BA in political science from Northwestern University and an MS in union leadership and administration from the University of Massachusetts.