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Saundra L. Williams
Newly Designated President

Sister Williams was elected President of AFSCME Local 1023 in 1985 and served until 1993. In 1993 she was appointed Staff Representative for Michigan AFSCME Council 25 and in 1997 was promoted to Staff Specialist.  As Staff Specialist she was responsible for presenting arbitration cases as the union’s advocate before an Arbitrator. She delivered opening and closing arguments, examined and cross examined witnesses, and prepared briefs. Her opponents were usually attorneys.

In 2001, Sister Williams was appointed as Secretary Treasurer of the Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO, as a result of the untimely death of Sister Gloria Cobbin.  Ms. Williams completed the unexpired term of Sister Cobbin and was then elected to a three year term as Secretary Treasurer in 2003.

In addition to her duties as Secretary Treasurer, she was also the Director of the C.O.T.E. Program, the Collaborative on Offender Training and Employment, where she worked diligently with a small staff to assist individuals who had felony records and had been a part of the Corrections System to find employment.  Over a twenty-five year span, the program lowered the recidivism rate and re-introduced thousands of men and women into the community to become outstanding citizens.

On April 11, 2006 Saundra Williams became President of the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, replacing the retiring President Donald W. Boggs.  As the first women president, she has strived to bring a personal, as well as a professional touch to the organization.  She believes in total inclusion and has reached out to numerous unions and other organizations in an effort to promote solidarity, and advance the general welfare and interests of all working families.

Mrs. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labor Studies from Antioch University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration/Human Resources from the University of Phoenix.  In her quest to obtain knowledge, she has attended Wayne State University and Northern Michigan University. She also possesses numerous certificates for various Steward’s Training, Leadership Training, Labor School, and Basic Arbitration Advocacy classes.

She is a life time member of the NAACP, the Vice President of the Detroit Metropolitan Interfaith Committee on Worker issues, and an Executive Board Member of the Detroit Chapter A. Philip Randolph Institute, as well as a Board Member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist.  She is a member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Minority Women’s Network and the Labor Employee Relations Association.  She is a past Vice Chair of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, and a past Board Member of the new Downtown Boll YMCA.

Saundra has received the Distinguished Union Services award, the Southeastern Michigan Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health Award, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist Gloria Cobbin Community Service Award and the APRI Service and Achievement Award.

Even with her busy schedule Ms. Williams finds time to be active in her church, St. Christopher – St. Paul Episcopal Church, where she is a member of an Episcopal Religious Order as a Daughter of the King.