ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. – The Air Engineering Metal Trades Council – AEDC’s largest union – installed its newly elected officers recently.
Jay Vandergriff retired Jan. 25 and passed the gavel to Alvin Cleek, who was elected as the Council’s new president. Cleek has worked at AEDC for 13 years and has been an ironworker for 33 years. He has served as chief steward for the ironworkers and carpenters for the past 9 years. Prior to that he was trustee and vice president.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support,” Cleek said. “My job is to make sure the Collective Bargaining Agreement is followed and I want to make sure everyone is treated equally across the base.”
Cleek says the union is excited about working with NAS, the AEDC Test Operations and Sustainment contractor, on a Labor/Management Partnership Committee to jointly develop programs, solutions or actions of mutual benefit. Cleek says he hopes to use this committee for the benefit of all employees at AEDC.
Other officers elected and installed: Mike Lance, vice president; Jim Hicks, recording secretary; Annette Painter, financial secretary/treasurer; Neil Aukeman, Jimmy Burrows and DeWayne Privett, council trustees; and Kevin Glasser, sergeant at arms.
The officers installed on Jan. 25 will serve three year terms. The election was held Dec. 19. The AEMTC includes 11 unions and more than 600 craft at AEDC.

