Three case studies will illustrate the role of labor participating in and building community labor-alliances with nonprofit advocacy organizations and combinations. Issues these alliances addressed include economic development, political education and action (electoral, voter registration and candidate recruitment), research, union organizing, community housing and education development, school funding  and specific community building such as supermarkets vs. Walmart. Presenters will address labor’s role as a convener, coalition partner (the good, the bad and the ugly) and resource provider and cover specific union involvement, use of political clout and perceptions and realities of labor’s role in these initiatives and community outreach.