With the deck stacked against working people, it's more vital than ever the labor movement join forces with its community allies in a meaningful way. To achieve the goal of social and economic justice for all working families, the AFL-CIO today called for a strong commitment to building enduring partnerships with our communities. In a convention resolution, the AFL-CIO and its affiliates pledged to continue dialogue and analysis with community partnerships to create inclusive policies and programs that will strengthen our democracy and create a robust movement for working people. 

From the resolution:

Unions must work hand in hand with community partners and allies to reverse these economic trends and to create opportunities for all while building a robust democratic and participatory society, strong and safe neighborhoods and racial, ethnic and gender equality.

Speakers introducing the resolution included  AFT President Randi Weingarten, Terry O'Neill of the National Organization of Women (NOW) and Kim Bobo of Interfaith Worker Justice. 

The four goals of this commitment are to:

• Deepen relationships and programs with community;

• Work vigorously on the issues raised by our partners that reflect our shared values;

• Ensure that state federations and central labor councils are well situated to build enduring partnerships with community; and

• Establish ways in which the AFL-CIO can incentivize the development of shared agendas and promote best practices.

Among the plans to reach these goals include establishing an internship and exchange program, building shared economic and analysis materials, holding union-community leadership institutes and joint training and creating a community of union volunteers to promote and encourage the work of our members.

Read the full text of the resolution here.