Coalitions

Forming alliances with diverse groups enhances the labor movement. We encourage our members, locals, and state affiliates to become involved with these allied organizations.

AFL-CIO Constituency Groups

AFL-CIO Constituency Groups strengthen partnerships to improve the standard of living for all workers and their families. They promote the full participation of women and minorities in the union movement, and assure that unions hear and respond to the concerns of the communities they represent.

The A. Philip Randolph Institute’s mission is to fight for racial equality and economic justice. The APRI’s work with black trade unionists serves as a bridge between the black community and labor.

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, is a voice for Asian Pacific American Islander workers in the labor movement. APALA’s actions in the civil rights community have been deeply felt and greatly influential.

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists is the nation’s oldest and largest independent black labor organization. CBTU is recognized as a potent economic and political force within the African-American community.

The Coalition of Labor Union Women is a national organization that empowers working women to help them become leaders in their unions. CLUW activities encourage women to make a difference on the job and in their own lives.

The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement serves as a voice for change in the Latino community. The group focuses on mobilizing workers and their families.

Pride At Work’s purpose is to mobilize support between organized labor and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender community. The group’s members focus on organizing for social and economic justice.

Other Workers’ Rights Groups

Coalition building that involves workers should not be limited to AFL-CIO affiliates. By becoming involved in the struggles of other workers’ rights groups we provide further opportunities to reach out to communities and other organizations that help gain support for labor and working families.

Coalition building should not be limited to AFL-CIO affiliates. Whenever we have an opportunity to reach out to communities and other organizations we gain support for labor and working families, and we can cultivate relationships by becoming involved in their struggles.

Please keep in mind that even though these organizations exist to preserve the rights of workers, they cannot represent USPS employees regarding contractual issues.

The UnidosUS (formerly known as NCLR - National Council of la Raza) is the largest national constituency-based Hispanic organization and a leading voice for the Latino community.

Human Rights Groups

Union members have a moral obligation to stand up for others who are unable to stand up for themselves, to right wrongs, and to promote dignity and respect for all people. Several human rights organizations can assist you in this goal.

The Solidarity Center (American Center for International Labor Solidarity) assists workers around the world who are struggling to build democratic and independent trade unions. Its mission is to promote workers’ rights, advance women’s equality, and eliminate child labor.

Alliances With Faith-Based Groups

Unions have always encouraged relationships with the religious community to help build support for workers’ struggles. Civil rights leaders such as the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Joseph Lowery have walked picket lines with striking workers just as union members marched with them during civil and human rights demonstrations. APWU locals and state organizations can learn more about developing relationships with the religious community through the resources at faith-based groups or through the AFL-CIO.

Outreach to the religious community permits union members who come as people of faith to speak at worship services about conditions of working people and how the union movement is working for change. Certainly this is another opportunity for APWU members to become involved, educate communities on our struggles, and develop alliances.

The National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice calls upon our religious values in order to educate, organize, and mobilize the religious community on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers, especially low-wage workers.

Network of Local Interfaith Groups Concerned with Labor Issues

10 Things You Can Do to Build Religion-Labor Partnerships

The Labor in The Pulpits Program, “Speaking Out for Workers’ Freedom to Choose a Union,” provides resources on how to develop a relationship between the religious community and the union movement to work together. Although the program highlights Labor Day as a prime program date, presentation of the program remains timely year-round. This organizing and worship kit contains information to help plan a Labor Pulpits Program and provides tips for speakers and sample presentations.

More information about developing relationships with the religious community can be found through the AFL-CIO.