Executive Council Statement | Better Pay and Benefits

AFL-CIO Budget Principles and Procedures

Las Vegas

Each year the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO approves, upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, an operations budget for the Federation.  The Executive Council hereby establishes the following principles and procedures for the development and approval of such budgets, and instructs the Finance Committee to certify, along with its recommendation, that the proposed budget conforms to these principles – and further directs the officers of the Federation to insure that proposed budgets and activities of the Federation conform with these principles and procedures.

It is recognized and agreed that the National Unions shall have the primary responsibility for key areas of union activities, such as representation and bargaining and organizing the unorganized.  It is further recognized and agreed that the Federation shall have the primary responsibility for activities that require the coordination of union efforts and for the integration of different union priorities – and that are done on behalf of all union members.  In order to accomplish these responsibilities, the Executive Council hereby establishes the following procedures:

  1. The Executive Council shall establish specific categories of Core Federation Activities, which shall describe the areas of responsibility of the Federation.  The Executive Council shall further establish specific funding levels for these Core Federation Activities.
  2. The proposed budget of the Federation shall be prepared with appropriate input and consultation with national union affiliates.  Each program department of the Federation should have a working group of national union representatives doing similar work to advise on matters of program and budget.
  3. A working group composed of members of the Finance Committee or their designated representatives shall be used as advisors to the Federation on matters of budget development and administration.  They shall make recommendations to the AFL-CIO on issues of transparency and reporting and other matters.
  4. The Finance Committee shall be briefed each year by the auditing firm of the AFL-CIO, on the annual financial filings and audit.  The Finance Committee will report on this review to the full Council.
  5. A Committee of Executive Council members shall be established to review staffing levels and other matters dealing with the efficient operation of the Federation.  The Committee shall report on a regular basis to the full Executive Council on personnel and other matters that effect the efficient operation of the AFL-CIO.  The officers of the AFL-CIO shall report back to the Committee and Executive Council the implementation of all such Committee/Executive Council decisions.