A colleague sent me this note from AFL-CIO staff director Bob Welch:

President Sweeney informed the AFL-CIO Executive Council yesterday that Linda Chavez-Thompson had notified him that she intended to step down as Executive Vice President of the Federation effective next Friday, September 21st —  for personal and family reasons.

President Sweeney also advised the Council that he intends to nominate

Arlene Holt to fill the unexpired term of office for the next two

years.

Under the Federation*s constitution, the Council must vote to fill

this vacancy, upon a ten day notice from the President.  This will take

place at the special meeting of the Council next Friday.

For the past twelve years, Linda has given more speeches, racked up

more air miles and spent more nights in hotels and motels than anyone

could count.  She has represented the AFL-CIO with distinction and

passion, and has been a dynamic public advocate for working people and

for unions.  Nobody could have done more, and she has been a crucial

part of the AFL-CIO leadership team.

Linda will become our first Executive Vice President Emerita, and will

take on a number of assignments for the Federation – including

continuing to chair the Immigration Committee and serving as head of

ORIT (the ITUC*s regional organization for the Americas).

Arlene came to the Federation in 1995 as Linda*s Executive Assistant.

 She has exceptional leadership skills and will be a powerful advocate

for working families and unions.  She served as an Area Director for

AFSCME in California and was a leader in California Democratic politics.

 At the AFL-CIO she led our critical *No on Prop 226" campaign and our

early Voice at Work efforts.  She built and led Voices for Working

Families and has led our response to Katrina.

We will inform all staff of further arrangements to recognize this

important transition.

    I’m wondering what the "personal and family reasons" are.

    UPDATE: at least from two people inside 16th Street, the word is that it is as simple as Linda wanting to spend more time with her grandkids in San Antonio. We wish her the best. I guess sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.