Labor & Employment Law

Laborers Rejoin AFL-CIO

By Mike Hall

Today, the Laborer?s (LIUNA) officially rejoined the AFL-CIO. The 500,000-member LIUNA brings the AFL-CIO?s total membership to 12.2 million workers in 57 unions, including the 3.2 million members of the AFL-CIO community affiliate Working America creates a strong and powerful voice for working families.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says the LIUNA reaffiliation comes ?at a critical moment for working people.? He said that LIUNA members?the vast majority of whom work in the construction industry?have been particularly hard hit in today?s economy.

As working people fight to rebuild a middle-class economy, now is the moment for a unified labor movement. Together, we will work to create good jobs and elect leaders who stand with working people.

LIUNA General President Terry O?Sullivan says today ?more than ever? a united union movement is essential for working people, especially on Capitol Hill.

Despite the historic success of the 2008 federal elections, too much is not getting done on Capitol Hill. A united union movement can better focus Congress?and particularly the U.S. Senate?on helping lead our nation, rather than being locked in inaction.

The AFL-CIO is in the midst of a nationwide grassroots mobilization to elect leaders who will fight for working people and the creation of good jobs, including those in the construction sector. LIUNA and the AFL-CIO will continue to mobilize in neighborhoods across the country to create an economy that works for everyone.

LIUNA left the AFL-CIO in June 2006. In March 2008 LIUNA reaffiliated with the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD). It is the second union that had previously disaffiliated to rejoin the AFL-CIO. UNITE HERE! rejoined the AFL-CIO in September 2009.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on October 01, 2010 (boomark / email).