Inequality in both wealth and income is greater than at any time since the early part of the last century. At the same time, says the AFL-CIO Executive Council, the best remedy to inequality and injustice—collective bargaining—is under increasing political attack in the private and public sectors. The assault on public workers’ rights is taking place at the federal, state and local levels.

But, says the council in a statement from its annual winter meeting in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.:  

Over the past year workers have shown they are prepared to stand up. Through statehouse demonstrations in Madison, Wis., ballot initiatives in Ohio and the movement of the 99%, workers are standing up for themselves, for their families and for their communities.

In the face of tremendous opposition from employers and political opponents, workers from across the spectrum—from Transportation Security Officers to carwash workers and television writers—have joined together to form unions.  

Workers without the benefit of collective bargaining laws also are standing up: domestic workers, day laborers, taxi drivers, guest workers and freelance artists are self-organizing and seeking to fashion creative new models of exercising collective power.

“Workers know," says the council, “that only by joining together and standing up for themselves will we be able to create lives that fulfill the promise of America.”

When workers are prepared to stand up, they need to know they are not alone. Together, we are all part of the labor movement. This is what defines us. This is who we are—workers progressing together. The AFL-CIO exists to be the vehicle for worker mobilization and organization. Nothing is more central to our work than mobilizing and organizing on the side of workers seeking to form unions and build power by engaging in collective bargaining.

AFL-CIO unions, says the council, must work to expand collective bargaining rights and reform labor laws to ensure that all workers who want to form unions and bargain collectively have a fair opportunity to do so.

As a key part of the fabric of our mission, we all share responsibility for achieving success:

• Our program must consist of both statutory reform and active support for worker organizing efforts.
• Each of the federation’s departments has a role to play.
• We need vibrant local labor movements. Support for worker organizing and collective bargaining campaigns is central to the work of our state federations and central labor councils. Affiliate unions should call upon them for assistance and work in partnership with them on campaigns.
• Our affiliated unions are united in their commitment both to their own success and to the success of each other.

Click here for the full statement.