Cliff Guffey is a former American labor union leader.
Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Guffey moved frequently as a child, as his father was a pilot in the United States Navy. In 1968, Cliff joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War for two years. In 1971, he became a letter carrier in Oklahoma City, then the following year became a letter sorting machine operator, joining the American Postal Workers Union.[1] [2]
In 1979, Guffey was elected as president of his union local. He then became assistant director of the union's clerk division in 1986, and director in 1999. In 2001, he was elected as executive vice president of the union, and then as president in 2010. As leader of the union, he prioritized the issues faced by veterans and working families. However, he was criticized by some members for agreeing a new contract which meant new entrants would remain on temporary contracts.
Guffey was also elected as a vice president of the AFL-CIO. In 2013, he was defeated for re-election by Mark Dimondstein, and he retired fully the following year.[3]