PITTSBURGH (PAI)--Adopting Barack Obama’s “change” theme -- though he’s more than twice Obama’s age -- veteran labor activist Harry Kelber will take his campaign for an AFL-CIO Executive Council seat to the federation’s convention floor.

He will, that is, even if the election officer, retired AFT President Ed McElroy, doesn’t let him have the list of delegates or disclose the ballot order before the vote.

Kelber threatens to take his case to the delegates anyway -- and also says he may sue to get McElroy’s anticipated refusals reversed.

As he did four years ago, Kelber, a longtime CWA and IBEW member, is seeking a seat on the council, the federation’s policy-making body. His foes are union presidents and other council members, including the federation’s three top officers, nominated as a slate. The council vote is the only scheduled contested election at the convention in mid-September in Pittsburgh.

“I entered this race because I believe union members want to see change, after enduring three uncontested elections and an abysmal 14–year record of failure by the

incumbent leadership. We are determined to help in restoring the AFL-CIO as a

democratic organization, in which union members have a voice and are treated with respect,” Kelber said in a recent website posting.