Rick Bender Named To Lead The State Labor Council

OLYMPIA

Rick Bender, executive director of the King County Labor Council, yesterday was named president of the Washington State Labor Council, which represents 550 local unions with a total membership of 150,000 workers.

Bender, 43, succeeds Larry Kenney, who is leaving the post after being appointed to the state Tax Appeals Board by Gov. Mike Lowry.

Bender, who has headed the King County Labor Council since 1991, was elected to the state post by the council's 20-member executive board. He will serve the balance of Kenney's term, but must stand for election by the full council membership next fall.