Jobs and Economy

Years after the official end of the recent recession, America is still in a jobs crisis. Although job growth is slowly picking up steam--with steady private sector job creation--we still have a long way to go. Job losses came on top of decades of inadequate job growth, wage stagnation and growing inequality. The U.S. economy is increasingly imbalanced, with the top 1 percent holding more than 40 percent of the nation’s wealth.

The AFL-CIO is ready to work with anyone—business, government, investors—who wants to create good jobs and help restore America's middle class and challenge policies that stand in the way of giving America the chance to go back to work. The union movement is partnering with such organizations as the Clinton Global Initiative to find innovative ways to create good jobs that support workers and their families.

More about this issue:

Jan 7, 2016 | Press Release

“Mayor de Blasio’s proposal is a real step forward in ensuring that New York City’s working men and women have the tools they need to help with the rising costs of everyday living expenses in our city,” said Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Jan 7, 2016 | Press Release

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced plans to revamp Penn Station to help meet the demands of ridership in our growing city. Here's a sketch of the proposed plans.

Jan 13

The state legislature can pass a statewide $15 in 2016 – but they need to feel the pressure from people across the state who know that an $8.75 minimum wage isn't enough to live on.

Take a stand against poverty wages in New York on January 13!

Dec 14, 2015 | News Story

New York, NY - The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) announced a partnership with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO and a coalition of unions, area churches and developers known as the United Cl

Dec 4

Since Fall 2014, a strong majority of more than 3,000 research and teaching assistants (RAs and TAs) have consistently signed up in support of GWC-UAW as their union.  In December 2014, more than 200 RAs and TAs assembled to demand that Columbia respect the choice of RAs and TAs by agreeing to a

Nov 10, 2015 | News Story

Today, one year from 2016 Presidential Election Day, workers gathered in Downtown Brooklyn to call for “$15 and a Union.”  Representatives of unions including 32BJ SEIU, 1199 UHWE, TWU Local 100, RWDSU, Workers United, CWA District 1, CWA Local 1109, Teamsters 814, Ironworkers Local 40, Teamsters

Nov 6, 2015 | News Story

On Wednesday, 54 CUNY faculty and professional staff, members of the Professional Staff Congress (AFT#2334), were arrested while demanding a contract that will help CUNY retain excellent professors, ensuring a quality education for the 500,000 CUNY students across the city.

Nov 10

Join workers from across the Labor Movement, activists, and allies calling for a raise for millions of low-wage workers.

Go to FightFor15.org to sign-up for updates.

Oct 26, 2015 | News Story

From Labor 411:

Union-Made Candy 2015

Oct 13

The Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO is gearing up for ​a protest against Original Media, producers of the hit tattoo show INK MASTER.