The Tri-County Regional Labor Council AFL-CIO is getting a new leader.
Tom Morneweck, a longtime Summit County employee and head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1229, takes over as executive secretary-treasurer next month.
He succeeds John Wagner, who has been serving as interim leader since Bill Crooks was fired last year.
“I just look forward to helping all the different unions,” said Morneweck, 52, a Tallmadge resident.
He said his main goal is to grow union membership.
He also plans to fight against the right-to-work movement in the state. It would ban mandatory union membership and prohibit unions from assessing nonunion members dues.
Morneweck has worked for the county for 31 years, serving as a full-time union representative since 2008. He will resign his county job and is stepping down as president of Local 1229 to take the position.
The Tri-County Regional Labor Council is the governing body for local unions in Summit, Portage and Medina counties, and represents about 46,000 current and retiree members.
Morneweck bested David Prentice in an election last fall for the position.
Wagner, who had headed the group for a decade before returning as interim leader, had encouraged Morneweck to run for the post and endorsed him in the election.
“He’s a guy who has his head on his shoulders the right way,” he said. “He cares about people. He cares about getting the job done.”
Morneweck also knows the political arena, Wagner said.
“I’m very proud to turn the reins over to Tom,” he said. “I know he’ll do a fine job and I’m excited about the future of the Labor Council under his guidance.”
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.