About Us News Events Union Member Benefits Take Action New York City Central Labor Council Twitter Facebook Instagram Flickr YouTube AFL-CIO UNION PLUS Protect Workers' Rights Outdated labor laws have hampered our fundamental right to join together and negotiate for better wages, benefits and working conditions. That's why we need the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which will empower America's workers and strengthen our democracy. Lend Your Support JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST TO STAY IN THE LOOP! Email shuler.jpeg ‘STRIKETOBER’ ISN’T A SIGN OF CHAOS—IT’S A HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE COUNTRY The picket line has been crowded lately. img_0672.jpeg LIZ SHULER ELECTED AFL-CIO PRESIDENT The AFL-CIO Executive Council today elected Liz Shuler, a visionary leader and longtime trade unionist, to serve as president of the federation of 56 unions and 12.5 million members. Shuler is the first woman to hold the office in the history of the labor federation. The Executive Council also elected United Steelworkers (USW) International Vice President Fred Redmond to succeed Shuler as secretary-treasurer, the first African American to hold the number two office. Tefere Gebre will continue as executive vice president, rounding out the most diverse team of officers ever to lead the AFL-CIO. Take Action RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS FOR ALL WORKING FAMILIES Millions of undocumented immigrants, who are vital to our economic recovery, still live in fear because of our outdated and inhumane immigration system. It’s time to put an end to this injustice. Tell your senators to pass a budget that includes a broad pathway to citizenship. Make a Call MAKE SURE THE NEEDS OF WORKING PEOPLE ARE MET DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC The labor movement is working nonstop to ensure workers devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic receive the protections and support needed during this challenging time. Get involved and make sure the needs of working people are heard. Take Action Recent News LIZ SHULER: SEEING A BIGGER ROLE FOR WOMEN IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT NYT: How did you get your start in the labor movement? Liz Shuler: I came up through the IBEW [International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers]. My father was a union member and worked for PGE [an Oregon utility]. Clerical workers were not in a union, and my mother and I were organizing them. PGE was a study in the difference a union can make: Power linemen were respected and made good wages, and nonunion clerical workers were not listened to and didn’t have a voice. Read more about Liz Shuler: Seeing a Bigger Role for Women in the Labor Movement SURVEY SHOWS BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR WORKER STRIKES Workers at companies like Kellogg’s, Nabisco and John Deere have hit the picket lines in recent weeks hoping to get a better deal from their employers. A new survey suggests the public by and large supports them. The AFL-CIO labor federation commissioned the progressive pollster Data for Progress to take the public’s temperature on the strikes that have made headlines this summer and fall. The online survey of nearly 1,300 likely voters asked if they “approve or disapprove of employees going on strike in support of better wages, benefits, and working conditions.” Read more about Survey Shows Broad Public Support For Worker Strikes STRIKES ARE SWEEPING THE LABOR MARKET AS WORKERS WIELD NEW LEVERAGE Marcial Reyes could have just quit his job. Frustrated with chronic understaffing at the Kaiser Permanente hospital where he works in Southern California, he knows he has options in a region desperate for nurses. Instead, he voted to go on strike. Read more about Strikes Are Sweeping the Labor Market as Workers Wield New Leverage LABOR FLEXES ITS MUSCLE AS LEVERAGE TIPS FROM EMPLOYERS TO WORKERS And many of them are either hitting the picket lines or quitting their jobs as a result. The changing dynamics of the US labor market, which has put employees rather than employers in the driver's seat in a way not seen for decades, is allowing unions to flex their muscle. Read more about Labor Flexes Its Muscle as Leverage Tips from Employers to Workers See all AFL-CIO Blog SERVICE + SOLIDARITY SPOTLIGHT: AS HOLIDAY SHOPPING GETS UNDERWAY, RWDSU-UFCW REAFFIRMS NEED TO TREAT WORKERS WITH RESPECT — Nov 29 STRIKESGIVING: THE WORKING PEOPLE WEEKLY LIST — Nov 19 STRIKES WORK: IN THE STATES ROUNDUP — Nov 19 SERVICE + SOLIDARITY SPOTLIGHT: UMWA HOLDS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR STRIKING MINERS — Nov 19 PASS THE FREEDOM TO VOTE ACT NOW! WHAT WORKING PEOPLE ARE DOING THIS WEEK — Nov 18 View more RECORD A VIDEO Tell us why the PRO Act is important to you and how it will help all working people. AM I SAFE AT WORK? Help workers demand safer workplaces. 2021 EXECUTIVE PAYWATCH High Paid CEOs and the Low Wage Economy MORTGAGES FOR UNION FAMILIES Union Plus Mortgage Company is owned by the AFL-CIO Union Privilege and a group of unions. New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO 275 Seventh Ave., 18th Floor New York, NY 10001 NEW YORK CITY CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL ABOUT US NEWS EVENTS UNION MEMBER BENEFITS TAKE ACTION © AFL-CIO. All rights reserved. Photographs and illustrations, as well as text, cannot be used without permission from the AFL-CIO. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Log In