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:

Apr 1, 2022 | News Story

The NewsGuild of New York-represented workers at BuzzFeed News have overwhelmingly voted to authorize their bargaining team to call a strike should management continue bargaining in bad faith. The unit represents 61 members.

Apr 1, 2022 | News Story

Musicians of the DCINY Orchestra, who are members of AFM Local 802, are taking a stand and letting the public know about their fight for a fair contract.

Mar 25, 2022 | News Story

On March 25, 1911, 146 workers—mostly young, immigrant women—were killed in a horrific fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory at Washington Place and Greene Street in lower Manhattan. Inadequate fire escapes, locked doors, and an overall disregard for worker safety contributed to the tragedy.

Mar 25, 2022 | News Story

On Thursday, Climate Jobs NY joined with unions, elected officials, and environmental justice advocates on the steps of City Hall to call on Mayor Adams and the New York City Council to implement our Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Initiative (CFHS).

Mar 25, 2022 | News Story

On Tuesday evening, resident physicians of One Brooklyn Health, who are also members of the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare, gathered outside Brookdale Hospital to mark two years of COVID in NYC.

Mar 25, 2022 | News Story

On Thursday, AFGE members rallied at the Brooklyn VA Hospital to reject the VA's proposal to close medical facilities, reduce VA services, and cut the jobs of those who care for our nation's heroes.

Mar 25, 2022 | News Story

Mayor Eric Adams committed to funding NYC Parks with 1% of the NYC budget on the campaign trail: “We need to do everything we can to preserve the future generations of New Yorkers the right to these essential parks.” His FY23 Preliminary Budget

Mar 18, 2022 | News Story

Unlike other forms of discrimination, in most places in the U.S. there’s no clear law against weight-based discrimination.

Mar 18, 2022 | News Story

Public employees are leaving their jobs. At a time when costs are rising at unbelievable rates, it’s no surprise that these workers are moving on to higher paying jobs in order to get by.

Mar 18, 2022 | News Story

On Tuesday, we recognized Equal Pay Day, the date that symbolizes how far into the year the average median woman must work (in addition to their earnings last year) in order to have earned what the average median man had earned the entire previous year.