With the president of AFL-CIO of Massachusetts, Robert Haynes, saying he isn’t seeking reelection in October, talk has turned to who may succeed him. One name being bandied about by the city’s chattering class is that of state Rep. Marty Walsh, the longtime Dorchester Democrat.
Walsh, who holds down a second job as secretary-treasurer and general agent of the Boston Building Trades Council, declined comment on Tuesday.
A state representative since 1997, he serves as chairman of the House Ethics Committee. Walsh, who is frequently mentioned as a potential mayoral candidate, also works as president of Local 223, a construction and general laborers’ union.
Haynes’s decision was first reported by the Boston Globe on Tuesday. Haynes, a former ironworker, has held the post since 1998, representing about 400,000 Bay State union members.
“After twenty-four years as an elected officer of this great federation I have decided to retire to spend more time with family and friends, Red Sox and golf, travel, reading and community service,” Haynes wrote in a letter to members. The letter was posted on the union’s website.
In his letter, Haynes called for a “bold new leadership team” and gave his support to a pair of union members who have worked with him. “Tim Sullivan, OPEIU Local #6, for President and Jen Springer of AFSCME Council #93 for Secretary-Treasurer, have the capacity to be that team,” Haynes wrote. “You can look at their work in legislative, politics, community service, collective bargaining and communications and be as inspired as I am by their experience and capacity to lead. In the ensuing campaign, I am sure they will make the case and convince you of where and how they will advance the interests of working families in our community.”
If Walsh runs and wins, the move would set off a scramble for his Thirteen Suffolk House seat.
Walsh won a special election in 1997 against four other candidates, including future Attorney General Martha Coakley and Mayor Thomas Menino’s environmental chief, James Hunt III. The seat had been previously held by former state Rep. Jim Brett.
