Coalition of Labor Union Women

The work continues! From Michigan to Arizona, CLUW members hit the streets knocking and rocking the vote 💅💪

We're in the home stretch and committed to reaching out to voters! Another delightful event with AFGE Local 727 and Metro DC CLUW writing postcards encouraging our union siblings to make their voices heard.

Join Metro-Detroit Cluw on Saturday, October 26, 2024 to make it clear to our communities that we have vested similarities and interests that are at stake in this election!

We will canvassing the communities, phone banking and texting. Metro-Detroit needs everyone's help to make this happen. Reach out to Metro-Detroit CLUW at [email protected] for more info on how to join GOTV efforts on Saturday, Oct. 26!

Here's what we know: women run unions! The latest from the Associated Press: Momentum for Black and Latina women rising into labor union leadership has picked up in the last five years. But the work began long before that by “our foremothers who laid this foundation and have been pushing and kicking those doors open for decades,” according to Liz Shuler, who in June 2022 became the first woman in history to lead the AFL-CIO.

More gems from the article from our powerhouse union sibling AFA-CWA International Vice President Keturah Johnson:

Keturah Johnson in 2022 became the first q***r woman of color to serve as international vice president for flight attendant union AFA-CWA, which is led by Sara Nelson and represents over 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines.

People often think of a flight attendant as “a white woman with hair put up in a bun,” and Black flight attendants frequently face microaggressions from managers about their appearance, Johnson said. “It’s happened to me many times because of my natural hair.”

And for gender nonconforming flight attendants, being able to wear a uniform that reflects their gender identity is important, Johnson said. So she’s leading the fight to update uniform standards to be gender inclusive and permit natural hairstyles, which has resulted in several airlines making changes.

More Black and Latina women are leading unions — and transforming how they work Women make up roughly half of U.S. labor union membership, but representation in top level union leadership positions has lagged, even in female-dominated industries, and particularly for women of color.

You already know the vibe... CLUW is all around town with our GOTV efforts! Tonight CLUW President Elise Bryant and the Metro DC CLUW Chapter joined the MD/DC State AFL-CIO for postcard writing and text banking. With special guest, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler 💅💪

Our CLUW siblings are continuing the work to Get Out The Vote! Shout out to the CLUW NYC Chapter for an excellent postcard writing party!

📢 Today is Latina Equal Pay Day!

🚨Latinas earn just 51 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men—and only 58 cents for full-time workers. Despite excelling in every sector, we still face wage gaps, harassment, and discrimination.

🌎Latinas are a driving force in our economy and should be paid as such. There are about 12.8 million Hispanic women in the labor force, and many are still denied equal pay. Stand up and raise awareness for Latina Equal Pay Day!

"The Coalition of Labor Union Women joins with the millions of union members in mourning the death of a great labor leader and a true man of equality, the late Bill Lucy. Brother Lucy was the personification of the saying, “A man of quality is not threatened by women seeking equality.” Bill was a lifelong supporter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and supported the efforts of women in his home union, AFSCME and in the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, to move into leadership position. He will be deeply missed, but it is good to know that Bill did get to enjoy his roses while he was still with us. May he rest in peace and power!" ~ Elise Bryant, CLUW President

Video Credit: Labor Heritage Foundation.

Remembering Bill Lucy "The Coalition of Labor Union Women joins with the millions of union members in mourning the death of a great labor leader and a true man of equality, the la...

"CLUW is Working on GOTV Big Time!” Thanks to the CLUW - Los Angeles for sharing their good work! We want to hear from you too so send us photos of your chapter’s GOTV work!

You already know the vibe! Union women get it done 💅💪

Union women have never been more important than we are right now in mobilizing for the November 5 election. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us on Oct. 1 as we host a nationwide virtual event where union women from across our movement will hear from each other, speak their truth and affirm that this fight unites us rather than divides us. As we head into the final weeks of the election, we will come together to discuss what’s at stake, the crucial role that women will play in our struggle for victory in November.

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6Nyfh842SkGDRe3o5TYx1w #/registration

Labor Day hotel strikes reflect the frustrations of a workforce largely made up of women of color. Read more about how we're demanding more on the job 👇

Labor Day hotel strikes reflect the frustrations of a workforce largely made up of women of color More than 10,000 workers at 25 U.S. hotels are on strike after choosing Labor Day weekend to amplify their demands for higher pay, fairer workloads and the reversal of COVID-era cuts.

To all of our sisters and siblings, we wish you a Happy Labor Day! The work of our communities, families and workplaces doesn't happen without US! Let us know in the comments below how your life is 👇🏽

It's Women's Equality Day and we're proud to honor and celebrate this day with unions and workers around the country. There is much left to do and may we never forget how far we've come.

“On behalf of the members of the CLUW, we commend President Joe Biden for his lifelong commitment to women’s rights and workers’ rights. We respect his decision to not run for re-election and thank him for his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the next president of the United States.

We thank you, President Biden, and continue to offer our prayers and meditations as you finish out your historic presidency.”

Elise Bryant
CLUW President

Check out the statement from our AFL-CIO leaders: https://aflcio.org/press/releases/statement-afl-cio-officers-president-bidens-announcement

The is tonight at 9pm ET so make sure you've got your union contract protection checklist ready to assess which candidate's policies really support working people! Union members have fought hard for what’s in our contracts. We’ve stood on picket lines, sat at bargaining tables, and we held firm for our co-workers, our families and for the future. Our leaders must reflect our values!

Our resolve to protect reproductive health care access for all is unwavering. We will continue the fight! Check out this message from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision.

AFL-CIO: Reproductive Rights are Workers' Rights Reproductive rights are worker rights. Access to reproductive health care is a fundamental collective bargaining issue and we will stand united against atta...

It's Pride Month and we are delighted to see our very own Metro DC Chapter President Chelsea Bland highlighted by the -CIO! Happy Pride to our LGBTQIA+ family!

⏱It's that time again! Every year, the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) sponsors 4 regional “women’s schools”. These residential programs typically last between 4 and 5 days, and include classes and workshops on a variety of labor-related topics. Women from all over the country and beyond learn the skills and knowledge needed to play leadership roles in their organizations. Visitors from labor unions and workers’ organizations in other countries frequently participate. One of the most valuable aspects of the schools is the chance to meet and network with other labor women from around your region and beyond.

🗓 Next up is the Southern Women's Summer School, July 12-14
📍 Durham, NC
🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqt9JddKWgCo3hqnir4WJwGWHw0eQO9jLc284N0Bnj04vMpA/viewform

Do you have high school students in your life who are passionate about social justice, democracy, and creating positive change? If so, the Feminist Majority Foundation has a program for young people that taps into letting their inner activist shine. Follow the link below to learn more about this FREE VIRTUAL PROGRAM!👇

https://www.cognitoforms.com/FeministMajorityFoundation/_2024SummerActivistTrainingCampSATCApplication

⏰ The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 25 at 11:59 pm PT

We can't deny it ... women ARE changing the labor movement! Did you catch our recent feature in Politico? Check out this article that features reflections from our very own Executive Director Virginia Rodino ⬇️

How women are changing labor unions By signing up, you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. You may unsubscribe at any time by following the directions at the bottom of the email or by contacting us here. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

CLUW’s National Executive Board (NEB), which consists of union and chapter delegates, met today in Niagara Falls, NY. The NEB discussed local chapter activities, gearing up for the 50th Anniversary Gala on Friday.

Our 50th Anniversary Celebration & Education Conference is happening this week! And we have a beautiful graphic celebrating the event. So, who's joining us in Niagara Falls? Drop a ❤ in the comments below!