Following the recent disaffiliation of three unions, our local union leaders and activists justifiably are concerned about what the future holds for their continued ability to bring workers together for the critical organizing, political and community outreach that only can be achieved at the grassroots level.

That’s why I proposed to the AFL-CIO Executive Council an unprecedented program to help unite the grassroots power of the union movement: Solidarity Charters. This week, I am pleased to announce that the council approved the issuance of Solidarity Charters.

Under Solidarity Charters, if local unions of disaffiliated national unions want to be part of a united local movement in their city and state, they can apply to be readmitted by applying for and being granted a Solidarity Charter as a special affiliate of one or more state and local bodies. They will sign up with the same level of membership they had before their union left the AFL-CIO, or sign up at the average membership level for that city or state, whichever is higher.

After reviewing the proposal, state federation and central labor council leaders agree that Solidarity Charters are the key to maintaining a strong and united grassroots union movement. In a joint letter supporting the Solidarity Charters, they write:

“We urge all unions to make serious, good-faith efforts to find a way to keep our movement together at the local level. We believe the concept of Solidarity Charters provides the basis for achieving this goal.”

Union leaders who want to work together in good faith recognize that Solidarity Charters offer the means for our movement to go forward. 

• Solidarity Charters are unifying. They will enable local unions of disaffiliated unions to remain a part of a united local movement in their city and state.
• Solidarity Charters are fair. Participating local unions will pay a 10 percent solidarity fee to the labor council or state federation to help offset the cost of services and mobilization systems provided by the national AFL-CIO and supported by its affiliated unions. The solidarity fee will go into the Solidarity Fund established at the Convention that help support local bodies affected by the unions’ decision to leave the federation.
• Solidarity Charters are respectful of all unions. Locals signing Solidarity Charters agree to honor basic principles of solidarity. They will not raid their brother and sister unions, while participating fully in the local political mobilization efforts and supporting other working people who are on strike, organizing or in other struggles.
• Solidarity Charters offer unprecedented voting rights for non-AFL-CIO unions: Local unions will have the same voting rights as other locals, except that members of unions with a Solidarity Charter can’t hold top offices. Individuals already in office can finish out their terms. 

During our Convention, I said we want to find ways to work together to build our movement and win for working families.

Solidarity Charters enable us to do just that.