Social Media: New Tools Aid in Organizing
They’re tweeting in Northern California about the Employee Free Choice Act, sharing about health care reform on Facebook in Montana and posting organizing messages on My Space for workers in York, Pa.
Across the country, union members are using the new social media to mobilize workers and share information.
Steve Selby, an Electrical Workers (IBEW) organizer in York, Pa., knows the value of social media. He urgently needed to reach 300 workers at a local Comcast office. Rather than standing outside the office and handing out a flier with different information each day, Selby taught himself how to set up a MySpace account. He handed out one flier directing workers to his MySpace page, where he shared information the workers needed to know.
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.
Coalition Concerned About Effect of Pulte-Centex Merger on Homeowners
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Robert Masciola, deputy director of the AFL-CIO Center for Strategic Research, shares this recent action by workers and their allies at Pulte Homes and Centex Corp. shareholder meetings.
In Pontiac, Mich., and Dallas yesterday, workers, community leaders, homeowners and other supporters of the Building Justice campaign came together to voice their concerns about the merger between Pulte Homes and Centex Corp. The merger will create the largest homebuilding company in the United States.
Building Justice is a partnership of the Painters and Allied Trades union (IUPAT), the Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA), the AFL-CIO, Pulte homeowners, community members and elected officials to improve conditions at Pulte developments. Members of the coalition staged rallies in Pontiac (Pulte) and Dallas (Centex) to coincide with shareholder meetings in each city to approve the merger.
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.
Workers, Allies to Pulte Shareholders: You’re Responsible for Working Conditions
Robert Masciola, deputy director of the AFL-CIO Center for Strategic Research, shares this recent action by workers and their allies at a recent Pulte shareholder meeting in the Detroit area.
Outraged Detroit community members demanded entry to Michigan-based Pulte Homes’ Annual Shareholders Meeting on Friday, armed with copies of a newly released report detailing the company’s lending practices. More than 100 Michigan residents, ranging from construction workers and seniors to Catholic priests and nuns, marched on the meeting held in Pontiac.
Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO President Saundra Williams welcomed supporters of the Building Justice campaign to Detroit to demand that Pulte take accountability for all its business practices.
