State and Local Leaders Honor Sweeney, Discuss Labor’s Future
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| IUPAT President Jimmy Williams and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney share a laugh at the state and local conference. |
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| Christine Trujillo, president of the New Mexico Federation of Labor, addresses the state and local conference today in Pittsburgh. |
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| Participants at the state and local conference discussed strategies for building a stronger labor movement in our communities. |
The AFL-CIO state federations and local central labor councils are the keys to reviving the union movement in communities across the country. They prove their value every day by building political power from the ground up, training new leaders, supporting organizing drives and creating coalitions with groups who share our goals.
Today, more than 250 state and local leaders met in advance of the AFL-CIO’s 26th Constitutional Convention to discuss the best ways to build a stronger union movement in our states and communities. The State Federation, Area and Central Labor Council Conference offers a forum for local union leaders to discuss strategies and share best practices to build on the political and organizing successes since the last convention four years ago.
Retiring AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who was honored for his leadership over the past 14 years and commitment to strengthening the movement’s grassroots, told the local leaders they had pulled the federation through some difficult times.
You all proved that a unified labor movement at the grassroots is what workers need.
You’ve played a key role in all the progress we’ve made from passing so many minimum wage and living wage laws, to supporting our organizing campaigns that have brought in an average of 450,000 new members every year, to leading our crusade for diversity, inclusion and full participation of women and minorities.
When so many in the media wrote us off politically, you put the wheels on the strongest political program in our history.
But there is still plenty of work to be done. Postal Workers (APWU) Secretary-Treasurer Terry Stapleton, vice chair of the Executive Council Committee of State and Local Strategies, told the group:
We are here to change the labor movement, to strengthen the labor movement and to change the United States for working people.
Williams, Gage, Sullivan Re-Elected, Urge Fast Action to Rescue America’s Workers
Saying the best is yet to come for working people, three affiliated unions called for teamwork and urged their members to take advantage of the new political landscape in Washington to help working families.
Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) President James Williams, AFGE President John Gage and Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) President Michael Sullivan, who all were re-elected at their unions’ conventions, echoed AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka’s call for union members to work together to take back the country. Trumka spoke at all three conventions.
Williams said the challenges facing working families will require unity and teamwork.
It’s all about team…we can’t overcome the challenges ahead of us all alone, we need each and every one of you to help us.
Labor College Announces Sweeney Leadership Institute
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One of AFL-CIO President John Sweeney’s priorities throughout his years as labor leader has been to build and strengthen the union movement by educating workers so they can meet the challenges ahead in the workplace and at the bargaining table. Now, Sweeney’s efforts will carry on after he retires in September.
During a gala celebration of the 40th anniversary of the National Labor College (NLC) last night, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka announced the creation of the John Sweeney Leadership Institute, which will open this fall at the Labor College. Trumka says the institute will
help to foster the next generation of union activists and leaders. Goodness knows we need them now more than ever for the tough battles ahead.
Labor College to Celebrate 40 Years, Honor Sweeney
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For four decades, the National Labor College (NLC) has strengthened the union movement through education and training. Next week, the college will celebrate its 40th anniversary, and at the same time honor three union leaders who symbolize what the school means to workers.
During the July 28 anniversary gala, the Labor College will honor AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney for his strong commitment to the NLC and labor education and NLC graduates, James Williams, president of the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), and Michael Sullivan, president of the Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA).
Former U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman will be the emcee for the event.
For more information on the gala and to purchase tickets, click here.
Painters’ Corporate-Style Annual Reports Keep Union Growing
Over the past four years, Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) President James Williams has taken a page from the playbook of employers and the way they do business. Each year, his staff produces an annual report for the international union and for each of the 34 IUPAT district councils in the United States and Canada that looks like a corporate balance sheet.
Now, IUPAT leaders at all levels, from Williams on down, are thinking in terms of market share, annual reports and audits, and at the same time they are considering organizing and contract negotiations.
While other unions use similar formats, few are as detailed as the IUPAT reports. The annual reports measure everything from loss or gain in total membership to the ratio of apprentices to regular members, average age of members and apprentices, ratio of elected staff versus appointed staff, net assets and liquid reserves. The international union staff evaluates the reports and then works with the councils to build an action plan to correct weaknesses and build on strengths. The data also includes trends in the industry where members work so that contract negotiators can have the information they need to better bargain for contracts.
