AFSCME Council 4 Elects Jody Barr To Serve As Executive Director

NEW BRITAIN, CT — Members of the Council 4 Delegate Assembly tonight elected Jody Barr to be Executive Director of the union representing more than 30,000 public service workers in Connecticut.

Barr, a member of AFSCME Local 2836 (State University Organization of Administrative Faculty) received 25,284 votes to 1,756 votes for Charles DellaRocco, a member of AFSCME Local 749 (State Judicial Branch and Division of Criminal Justice.) The Executive Director's term is four years.

“I am grateful for the confidence and faith our members have shown me," Barr said. "We’ve got our work cut out for us because corporate and wealthy special interests are engaged in an all-out assault against our members and the services we provide. But we’re not going anywhere. We are more committed than ever to stand up for the men and women who plow our streets, take care of our children, safeguard our prisons and communities, collect our trash and help the unemployed.

"Our members are a cross-section of Connecticut, not some elite group as our opponents try to claim. We are energized and ready for the battles ahead," he added.

Barr succeeds Salvatore Luciano, who retires after serving 17 years as Executive Director of Council 4. “It’s been a privilege to advocate for our members and to stand up for our rights and freedoms,” Luciano said. “It’s also the right time for me to step away. Jody will bring new energy and a fresh voice to our cause. I can’t think of a better person to lead Council 4 in the struggle for fairness and justice in our workplaces."

Luciano, 61, spent 20 years as a state social worker specializing in the investigation of child abuse and neglect. He rose through the ranks of his AFSCME Local 2663 union to lead Council 4 during a time of increased tumult marked by severe budget pressures and legislative and judicial attacks focused primarily on public sector union members.

“It’s been an honor to work with Sal,” Barr said. “He has been a friend and a mentor, not just to me but to countless union members, elected leaders and community activists who sought his guidance. Sal made our state a better place for all workers. I will do everything I can to build on his legacy.”

Barr, 43, has been an employee of the Connecticut State University system since 1997, including the last seven years at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, where he worked as a voice system analyst. He holds a B.S. in industrial technology, with a concentration in technology management, from Central Connecticut State University. He served in the National Guard from 1996-2003 and is a member of the Council 4 Veterans Committee.

Outgoing Council 4 Executive Director Sal Luciano, right, swears in his successor, Jody Barr.

In 2013, Barr was elected to serve as President of SUOAF, which represents 800 non-teaching faculty in the state universities and Board of Regents. In 2017, he was appointed to complete the term of Clarke King as Council 4 President. 

Council 4 delegates previously elected Stacie Harris-Byrdsong of AFSCME Local 1303-132 (CREC paraprofessionals) to serve as the union's Secretary. The position of President is vacant and will be appointed by the Council 4 Executive Board at its June meeting.