AFL-CIO Investing Millions in Organizing New Workers

The National AFL-CIO will be dedicating millions of dollars to organize new workers and grow the labor movement. The National AFL-CIO’s executive board, which includes members of its 58 international union affiliates, voted earlier this month to approve a measure that will raise the per-capita contributions each union makes based on the size of its membership. 

Once it is phased in, the measure will generate an additional $11 million a year for a new department called the Center for Transformational Organizing, which will focused on developing organizing campaigns to boost union membership in targeted industries after years of decline. 

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler told the Huffington Post that the effort represents an “unparalleled investment” at a time when workplaces are ripe for unionization.

“After decades of struggle, we’re in a moment infused with excitement, energy and hope,” Shuler said in a statement. “Every working person in this country should have the freedom to form or join a union and collectively bargain a contract that delivers fair pay, good benefits and a safe and healthy working environment.”

The AFL-CIO recently set a a goal of organizing a million more workers over the next decade.