Philadelphia Council

A leader in the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania labor movement, Mr. Eiding is active in many civic, charitable and government affairs. Prior to being elected President of the Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO in January 2002, Mr. Eiding served for 29 years as Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the Insulators and Asbestos Workers Local 14 covering Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. He began working with the Insulators in 1959 before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Following an honorable discharge, he was admitted to the Union in 1963 as an apprentice. After becoming a journeyman, he continued working in the field until his election as Business Manager.

Mr. Eiding has risen through the ranks of leadership throughout his career. His union leadership roles include serving as past President of the Asbestos Workers Middle Atlantic States Conference, and past President of the Mechanical Trades Council in Philadelphia and New Jersey. He currently serves as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Building Trades Council, Secretary/Treasurer of the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, and as a member of the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

Mr. Eiding represents the interests of working families by serving as an active member of numerous boards and commissions. He is the co-chairman of PALM (Philadelphia Area Labor Management), and sits on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Comey Labor Institute of St. Joseph's University, and the nominating panel for Community College of Philadelphia. He is on the Executive Committee of Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board (WIB), and serves as a Commissioner for the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), and the Philadelphia Planning Commission.

Mr. Eiding is very involved in this community and has invested many hours in civic and community endeavors. His favorite charity event is the Asbestos Workers Mesothelioma Fund. In 1992, he spearheaded the negotiations to inaugurate the Fund as part of the Insulators Collective Bargaining Agreements to aid in the research of this most dreadful disease. In 1995, he chaired the first Annual Mesothelioma Golf tournament, which has raised more than $1,000,000 to date for the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Since being elected President of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, he has made the voice of labor heard throughout this region. He has co-hosted the weekly "Labor to Neighbor" radio show which strives to educate listeners about current working family issues, and to serve as a voice for those who need it most in our community.