FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Katie Barrows
Communications Manager
P: 202-549-5991
kbarrows@dpeaflcio.org

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2020 - This month, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Secretary-Treasurer and Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) Treasurer Lorretta Johnson retires after over 50 years as a union activist and leader.

“Lorretta has been an advocate for union professionals and I’m forever grateful for her service to DPE,” said DPE President Jennifer Dorning. “She has given so much to the labor movement throughout the course of her career and is leaving some big shoes to fill. Even though she will be greatly missed, I’m excited for her next chapter in life and wish her the best in retirement.” 

“It’s been an honor to serve with Lorretta on the DPE executive committee,” said International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President and DPE Chair Paul Shearon. “Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Lorretta in various other capacities in the union world and will miss her insight and wisdom. Now, she gets to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.”

Johnson began her time in the labor movement by organizing her fellow paraprofessionals with the Baltimore Teachers Union. She has served in many AFT leadership positions including president of the Baltimore Teachers Union’s paraprofessional chapter, president of AFT-Maryland, an AFT vice president, AFT executive vice president, and AFT secretary-treasurer. 

Johnson joined the DPE executive committee as treasurer in March 2019, and her dedication has been important to growing the number of professionals in unions. Additionally, Johnson has held a variety of other leadership positions across the labor movement. She has served as a vice president of the AFL-CIO, and held board positions for the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Union Label and Service Trades Department, AFL-CIO, and Union Privilege organization. 

About DPE

The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) is a coalition of 24 unions representing over four million professional and technical union members. DPE affiliate unions represent professionals in over 300 occupations in education and healthcare; science, engineering, and technology; legal, business, and management; media, entertainment, and the arts; and public administration.