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:

Jul 30, 2021 | News Story

Deadline Monday, August 30: The Bernhardt prize is an award of $1000 given for an article that furthers the understanding of the history of working people.

Sep 21

September 21: The 2021 Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit will bring together newly established state Climate Jobs coalitions, labor leaders, union climate activists, environmental and environmental justice advocates, clean-energy developers, policymakers, scientists, and al

Jul 23, 2021 | News Story

Actors’ Equity Association has announced a new Open Access membership policy, allowing any theatre worker who can demonstrate they have worked professionally as an actor or stage manager within Equity’s geographical jurisdiction to join the union.

Jul 23, 2021 | News Story

On Monday, July 19, the IBEW hosted a webinar with nearly 700 IBEW officers, local union business managers, staff, and rank-and-file members to hear from U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm about the Biden Administration's push for a bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Jul 20, 2021 | News Story

Workers’ rights are under attack.

Our outdated labor laws have been chipped away and weakened by anti-worker legislators. Every day, we hear about corporations openly union-busting and retaliating against working people without consequence.

Jul 16, 2021 | News Story

2020’s growth in pay inequity between workers and CEOs confirms the “executive base salary reductions” touted during the COVID-19 crisis were just lip service, per this year’s AFL-CIO Executive Paywatch report.

Jul 16, 2021 | News Story

Starting this week, nearly all working families in America are receiving their first monthly payment from the expanded Child Tax Credit—up to $300 per child. It is a huge step towards cutting childhood poverty in half and will bring relief to parents and caregivers across the country.

Jul 16, 2021 | News Story

Workers at the Hispanic Society, which runs a museum and library in upper Manhattan dedicated to the arts and literature of Spain and Latin America, this week voted to join UAW Local 2110.

Jul 16, 2021 | News Story

On Wednesday, a near-capacity crowd of young professionals and community leaders stopped by for the "What's Brewin' Offshore?” happy hour to learn more about the offshore wind industry on Long Island.