Boston, MA
In October 1999, delegates to the AFL-CIO convention approved a resolution endorsing the New Alliance, a program to re-establish and enhance the labor movement's power and presence at the state and local levels. Delegates also approved a constitutional amendment authorizing the Executive Council to adopt rules and policies to implement the New Alliance.
The New Alliance restructuring process is now underway in a number of key states, and more states are expected to begin the New Alliance process in the coming months. At least one state-New York-intends to establish area labor federations that will coordinate, oversee and fund the labor movement's work at the local level, which will be carried out by a combination of central labor council and area labor federation activity. This change will occur at the New York New Alliance convocation in early June.
The introduction of area labor federations into the AFL-CIO's state and local governance structure will require the adoption of rules and policies governing these new entities. The AFL-CIO Constitution allows central bodies to be chartered upon a city, state or other regional basis as may be deemed advisable by the Executive Council, and the Rules Governing AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils, adopted by the Executive Council, authorize the President of the AFL-CIO to issue charters. The establishment of area labor federations was discussed in the initial Executive Council statement adopting the New Alliance program, and the Executive Council hereby expressly authorizes the President to issue charters to regional labor federations as the President deems appropriate.
Recognizing that specific rules governing area labor federations will be needed, the Executive Council authorizes the Committee on State and Local Central Bodies to develop and adopt rules governing area labor federations, either separately or through amendments to the Rules Governing AFL-CIO State Central Bodies and Rules Governing AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils, subject to approval by the Executive Council at its next regular meeting.