(JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK) – While admittedly “reluctant” at first to take responsibility for guiding the Jamestown AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, President Ryan Sweeney is looking to “grow involvement” in the Southern Tier Labor Organization, as well as involve its affiliated Unions and their Members in the Chautauqua County Community where they work, live and raise their families.

“It is an ‘exciting’ time,” the 44-year-old Sweeney, who serves as a Business Representative for the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District Lodge 65 (which stretches from Corry, Pennsylvania to Plattsburgh, New York and counts 1,000 Members across that span).  “We’re ‘looking to grow’ the Jamestown Council ‘and are looking to get more young people to step up and fill the role that the old guard,’ which is aging out and retiring.”

In addition, Sweeney (Pictured Above & Below/WNYLaborToday.com Photos) - who came into the position in Spring 2003 (succeeding former International Union of Operating Engineers Local 17 Business Manager Gary Swain), but was officially sworn in in June - wants area Unions and their Members to “do more” when it comes to community service in the Jamestown Community, which he adds “will put a human face” on Organized Labor and work to make residents not only more aware of Jamestown’s Unions, but how their Membership is giving back to the local community.

And, Sweeney - an IAM Member for the past 18 years, is hopeful a Union Fishing Derby the Jamestown Council is currently working on will also help connect Members of the Public and Private Unions that make up his Council.

“Our plans ‘are being put in place,’” he told WNYLaborToday.com during a recently-held, sit-down interview at IAM’s Jamestown Union Office.  “These things ‘will work to show people that we (Labor) are out there, which will also work to grow’ the Council.  ‘If we can do that, it will all take care of itself.’”

Sweeney, who is up for election to a two-year term as Council President in December, also wants to make sure every Union gets the information they need and knows what each is going through - no matter if they be Private or Public.

“People ‘have to talk to each other,’” he said.  “We ‘are in this to help each other.’”

For Sweeney, it has been a self-described transitional year. 

With such a large IAM area to administer to, Sweeney told WNYLaborToday.com he was initially “reluctant” to take the responsibility of heading the Labor Council - but has been buoyed by a bit of a larger turnout at the Council’s monthly meetings.

Besides the IAM, several Unions represent the majority of the area’s Workforce, notably the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Steelworkers (USW).

The Jamestown Council currently has an annual list of events it continues to administer to and participate in, including its annual Workers’ Memorial Event in Frewsburg, its association with the United Way of Southern Chautauqua’s Salute to Labor Dinner, its George Ritzer Memorial Labor Award and participation in the Labor Day Parade that is held in Mayville.

Also high on Sweeney’s list of things to do for the Council is talking to and organizing Non-Union Workers who are employed in the Jamestown area: “People ‘are listening’ (to what the benefits of Working Union offers).  Our people here are ‘generational, so they’ve had a Father or Uncle who worked Union and now has a good pension from it.’  ‘And, they need to (be reminded) how they have benefitted from that.’”

Those who know Sweeney, and some who also currently serve on the Jamestown Labor Council - notably Kent Joessel and George Kerr, have high praise for the new President.

“‘I think he’s done a tremendous job,’” offered Council Treasurer George Kerr.  “He’s making the Labor Council ‘more active and is getting it more involved in our community.’”

Kerr, who serves as Vice President of International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 81500, is working with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance to put together a Union Fishing Event for the Council, which he hopes will take place sometime over the Summer.

“We ‘want to involve as many Union Locals as we can and this event will bring an even greater awareness of Labor in Chautauqua County, that we are even more active as we make ourselves better known.’  ‘We all know we can be so much more,”’ he told WNYLaborToday.com.

Jossell, who serves as Business Manager at IBEW Local 106 and is Vice President of the Jamestown Council, said this of Sweeney during an interview with WNYLaborToday.com: “He’s ‘on top of what’s happening and he’s on the move.’  ‘We stand on the shoulders of the people who have come before us, who have inspired us to do more - but we need to get more people in the room to do more good work.’  ‘And, we need to do more.’  ‘I’m an optimist and if our community sees us coming, things will bode well.’”

Retired Jamestown AFL-CIO Labor Council President David Wilkinson said this about Sweeney: “He’s a ‘good’ man.  Ryan’s ‘stepped up and he’s a breath of fresh air.’  ‘I am grateful he accepted this leadership role.’  ‘His dedication to the Labor Council is refreshing.’”

In addition to what he aims to attain for the Jamestown Council, Sweeney tells WNYLaborToday.com that educating Union Members and those who live in the community about the importance of the upcoming November Election is extremely important.

“We’ve ‘got a lot of the red hat crowd’ living down here,” he said, “so we’ll be out on Labor Walks, ‘explaining to people what the current (Biden) Administration has done for Union Members and Working People that was not done in the previous (Trump) Administration.’  ‘We have to remember all that we’ve gained’ (during the Biden Administration), including with the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor.”