What Has the AFL-CIO Done?
After the fall of the AFL-CIO, our country’s workers needed a new labor organization to accomplish tasks that the old one was incapable of. These tasks included organizing coordination at the point of production, organizing boycotts and corporate campaigns, mobilizing union members for struggles in their communities, and resolving disputes over union jurisdiction and mergers among unions. The new organization could also reinstate industry-wide bargaining.
Efforts to pass the Humphrey-Hawkins bill
The Humphrey-Hawkins full employment bill was meant to guarantee a federal job to every citizen regardless of income level. It was the pinnacle of labor’s aspirations from the Great Society, and liberals saw it as the final leg on their socialist stool. But Carter and the Democratic Party were not in favor of the bill. Ted Kennedy and the Carter administration were also opposed to it.
The Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act, also known as the Humphrey-Hawkins entire employment bill, was signed into law in 1978. The act gave the Federal Reserve the dual mandate of regulating interest rates and determining the level of unemployment. While this legislation has been credited with boosting the economy, it is not the magic bullet that will guarantee jobs to every American citizen.
Nevertheless, the new presidential endorsement is a significant step toward the bill’s passage. In previous years, Congress had resisted the bill’s passage. Then, it is expected to pass a watered-down nose version and sign it into law. Jimmy Carter’s election platform included many of the bill’s critical elements. But many observers are questioning the bill’s impact. Will it achieve its goals or merely provide a veneer of progress?
Civil rights activists argued that Hawkins, the first Black representative elected to the U.S. House, wanted a federal policy that guaranteed jobs to unemployed Americans. However, the bill ultimately failed to make Hawkins’ vision a reality. Hawkins and other civil rights leaders wanted to ensure employment for the unemployed. While many were unsuccessful, it is still important to remember that Hawkins and other leaders fought for equal work for all citizens.
Labor Law Reform Bill
The AFL-CIO’s Labor Law Reform Bill will protect workers from the discriminatory practices of their employers. It would allow the National Labor Relations Board to levy monetary penalties against employers who violate labor laws. Private sector workers find it difficult to form a union without financial penalties. These laws will protect workers from abuses and help prevent illegal hiring practices.
The PRO Act is a landmark measure of worker empowerment, civil rights, and economic stimulus. It would strengthen union rights, end the “right to work” law and protect striking workers. It would also modernize the labor election process and protect newly organized workers from systematic corporate efforts to undermine their right to unionize. And it would help workers manage and achieve their first contract. As it stands, it will be a significant step towards ensuring a brighter future for workers.
The AFL-CIO has also experimented with working people by developing new technologies. A recent example is Action Builder, which helps organize workplace workers. The AFL-CIO and affiliated unions should invest in new technologies that help working people come together in blocks and make representation more effective. We believe that the future of labor law is bright, but it is a long way away. It’s not easy to achieve the reforms needed in the United States.
Moreover, the AFL-CIO’s proposed Protecting the Right to Organize Act will make it easier for workers to form unions. It will remove the decades of one-sided barriers to union formation. It will raise standards for all Texas working families. And the AFL-CIO’s newest bill to promote labor law reform has just been introduced into the U.S. Congress.
Organizing Institute
As the governing body of the NFL, the Organizing Institute of the American Football League (OIAF) sets forth its rules and regulations. The league’s mission is to foster a world community bonded by shared values through flag football. It envisions a day when flag football will be the most popular sport in the world. Its principles and vision are outlined below. Organizing Institute of the American Football League’s priorities includes:
Women’s Global Leadership Program
The Young Women’s Global Leadership Program offers an international experience for undergraduate women interested in advancing human rights, education, and peace. The program is comprised of a two-year theoretical curriculum. It includes in-person seminars at Columbia University and the United Nations and participation in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Global School participants strengthen their knowledge of international human rights instruments and develop advocacy strategies. An Advisory Council selects participants made up of women with extensive experience in the advocacy process.
The Women’s Global Leadership Program, sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at Rutgers University, brings together international human rights advocates and government representatives to develop strategies to promote gender equality and empower women. The program helps women develop essential leadership skills, encourages teamwork, and strengthens advocacy skills across the labor and women’s rights movements. Each session builds on the previous year’s curriculum and integrates current events with a global perspective.
The women featured in the program have diverse roles on the international and government stages. Many also hold seats at women’s issues meetings. Their experiences illustrate the benefits of women’s leadership. The program prepares women for senior management positions in various sectors. In addition, it develops leadership skills such as strategic vision, effective management teams, innovation, and quick decision-making. While attending the program, lodging and meals are included. Information regarding program fee assistance and travel expenses is provided in the Registration Information section.
Renowned scholars teach this program in the field of international relations. The Women’s Global Leadership Program curriculum includes cutting-edge leadership ideas and tried-and-true techniques. Participants learn how to lead a global movement by leveraging the power of women. The institute also provides the participants with a mentoring program and micro-grant opportunities to help them apply what they’ve learned through real-world projects.
Support for Democratic candidates
The AFL-CIO is one of the nation’s largest coalitions of labor organizations. A recent endorsement by the organization’s top official has highlighted its willingness to support Democratic candidates, particularly those with a strong union presence. With 12.5 million members, the AFL-CIO’s endorsement is hotly-coveted for Democratic candidates. In 2016, the AFL-CIO endorsed Hillary Clinton.
The AFL-CIO has a substantial role in progressive infrastructure. In the 2016 election cycle, the AFL-CIO donated $110,000 to the Democracy Alliance. It has also made significant contributions to the Democratic Party’s state-level projects. For instance, in Colorado, the AFL-CIO contributed $27,300 to a committee pushing for paid family leave. The AFL-CIO also gave more than $100,000 to Democratic candidates.
In North Carolina, the AFL-CIO endorsed Darren Jackson for N.C. Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden for U.S. Senate, and Sam Ervin for the N.C. Supreme Court. The AFL-CIO also endorsed Earl Blumenauer and Darlene Hooley for state and federal office in the 5th District. Among other Democrats endorsed by the AFL-CIO are:
In recent elections, the AFL-CIO endorsed several candidates but has not supported Sanders. However, the union has hesitated to endorse Sanders because the Democratic party wing is more liberal. AFL-CIO leaders in South Carolina and Vermont have already supported Sanders, while Iowa AFL-CIO leaders plan to introduce a similar resolution at their convention in August. And labor supporters have signed a petition called “Labor for Bernie,” calling for the national union leaders to endorse the independent Vermont senator.
Despite the political climate, the labor movement remains a prominent force in Oregon politics. AFSCME and the AFL-CIO have remained significant in the state’s political process. The largest union in the state, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 503, has more than 45,000 members. SEIU routinely spends tens of thousands of dollars on behalf of Democratic candidates. It has yet to decide on the criteria for endorsements. Its executive director said the union would decide once the races are underway.