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:

Jun 17, 2022 | News Story

Workers represented by labor unions earn 10.2% higher wages than their non-union peers, have better benefits and collectively raise wages industry-wide, according to a report released by House and Senate committees last Friday.

Jun 16, 2022 | Press Release

FIFA’s choice of New York City to host games follows local officials’ meaningful commitments to leading labor and community groups

Jun 10, 2022 | News Story

The musicians of Distinguished Concerts International New York are fighting for a fair contract with the help of AFM Local 802. The orchestra performed a live musical rally on Monday night, with the sounds of a brass band echoing over the sidewalks of Carnegie Hall.

Jun 10, 2022 | News Story

"Workers are already on the frontlines of climate change," write NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez and Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York President Gary LaBarbera in an OpEd published in PoliticsNY this week.

Jun 3, 2022 | News Story

On Wednesday, the NYC CLC hosted our annual labor and civil rights event in the form of a panel discussion centering around how union membership has contributed to narrowing the inequality gap and how it can continue to build solidarity in an effort to create prosperity that is felt by all worker

Jun 3, 2022 | News Story

Wireless tower technicians organizing to form a union with CWA released a powerful video this week describing the struggles faced by workers in the industry and calling on tower climbers, everywhere, to come together, join

Jun 3, 2022 | News Story

At the Committee on Finance Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Hearing on 5/25, Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Campaign Director Tory Kaso and CJNY union members testified before the New York City Council, urging their support for an investment to create thousands of good union jobs and reduce emissions ac

Jun 3, 2022 | News Story

After losing salary increases and money in their savings accounts during the hardship of a pandemic, Vox Media employees now face record inflation and soaring cost-of-living expenses.

May 27, 2022 | News Story

Wednesday, June 1, 6PM: For marginalized communities, institutional barriers continue to exist as it relates to education, healthcare, housing and retirement. Union membership has been a tool for many families looking to break into the middle class.

May 27, 2022 | News Story

Teachers and staff at Blue School held a one-day strike on Tuesday, May 24, after the School, an independent school founded by Blue Man Group in Lower Manhattan, announced that it will refuse to recognize their union. The School’s refusal is in defiance of a bargaining order issued by the NLRB.