Economic and social equality for all is and always has been a fundamental value of the union movement.
In the past half-century, a commitment by the union movement to the principles of nondiscrimination and equality has transformed the lives of women, their families and the nation as a whole. But much remains to be done to ensure the promise of equality in the lives of all working women is fulfilled. Discrimination against women remains a pervasive and persistent form of inequality.
Equality for women is not a women’s issue—it is a family issue. Empowering women is also an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. Both men and women can, must and do play a role in addressing inequality.
We are working to realize a broad vision of progress for women and their families that will break down barriers that perpetuate unfair treatment, discrimination and inequality based on gender, including:
- pay equity;
- an end to violence against women;
- eliminating gender discrimination;
- contraceptive equity; and
- access to training, education and leadership opportunities.
As the AFL-CIO and affiliated unions, we commit to ensuring this vision for progress by including and prioritizing these issues for achieving gender equality in our work on the job and in communities, and supporting a legislative agenda that promotes women’s equality.