Long-time president of RI Council 94, AFSCME dies

PROVIDENCE ? J. Michael Downey, the long-time president of Rhode Island Council 94 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, died early Sunday morning.

One of the giants in the Rhode Island labor movement, Downey, 70, was first elected to the top leadership position in Council 94 in 2005 and then reelected multiple times, most recently in 2022. The union represents more than 10,000 active and retired state, municipal, and private sector employees.

Always accessible and passionate about the employee causes he embraced, Downey also served as the president of the largest local in Council 94, Local 528, which represents workers at the University of Rhode Island, for over 27 years.

"Since 2005, Mike Downey provided bold leadership and constantly fought to enhance the lives of all working Rhode Islanders. Council 94’s membership extends our deepest condolences to his wife Claudette and their entire family," said Alexis Santoro, executive director of Council 94.

“Mike was a kind, compassionate and strong union leader and family man. His presence and leadership will be deeply missed.  We will announce arrangements to our members as more details become available," added Mary Townsend, executive vice president, in a Council 94 statement Sunday night on his passing.

His death came two days after the McKee administration announced a new three-year contract deal with Council 94 and other state unions.

According to a Council 94 look back at his life: Downey grew up in a union household. His father was the president of Local 28, the Plumber’s Union and Executive Director of the Allied Building Trades.  His grandfather was president of the Bricklayer’s Union, Local 1.

He "championed and promoted policies and programs to increase member participation within the union.  He expanded and enhanced the union’s political action committee and fundraising arm.  He worked tirelessly to protect members’ wages, working conditions and benefits.  He prioritized Council 94’s organizing program, adding new locals within the last few years," according to the Council 94 statement.

He was most recently employed as the Chief Plumbing Investigator at the Department of Labor & Training. Prior to his position at DLT, Mike worked as a plumber at the University of Rhode Island for more than 27 years.

He also served as chairman of the Tax Assessment Review Board in Charlestown, was the co-chair of Serve Rhode Island and a former Charlestown town councilman and state Retirement Board member.

Downey and his wife of almost 50 years, Claudette, had three children and nine grandchildren.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: He was was first elected to the top leadership position in Council 94 in 2005 and then reelected multiple times, most recently in 2022.