Ed Hawthorne

Ed Hawthorne is President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, the democratic state federation of hundreds of local unions that represents more than 250,000 working people across the state. President Hawthorne was unanimously elected at the state federation’s Constitutional Convention in October 2021, making him the youngest president in the organization’s history.

Under President Hawthorne’s leadership, he led the organization’s efforts to pass legislation to limit an employer’s use of anti-union captive audience meetings – becoming the second state in the country to pass this law and inspiring a nationwide campaign to curtail the use of this union busting tactic. He also oversaw a dynamic political program that helped elect dozens of union members while holding elected officials accountable in both Hartford and Washington, D.C.

With over a decade experience in the field of law, President Hawthorne previously worked as an Appeals Referee for the Connecticut Department of Labor where he conducted unemployment appeals hearings as an administrative law judge.

As a member of AFSCME, he formerly served as President of the Western Connecticut Area Labor Federation, Vice President of AFSCME Local 269, and an executive board member for AFSCME Council 4 and the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

President Hawthorne is currently the chair of the Second Injury Fund, and is a member of the Governor’s Workforce Council, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, Employment Security Advisory Board, and Town of Wolcott Pension Committee. He also continues to serve as the Vice Chair of the Wolcott Democratic Town Committee and was elected to serve as a Constable in the Town of Wolcott.

A graduate of Marist College, President Hawthorne earned his Juris Doctor degree at SUNY at Buffalo School of Law and graduated from the Harvard Trade Union Workshop. He is currently licensed to practice law in Connecticut and New York.

Born and raised in Connecticut, President Hawthorne lives in Wolcott with his wife and their two daughters. In his free time, he likes to cheer on the Buffalo Bills and is a burgeoning wing connoisseur.