2026 Resolution

America’s unions stand in solidarity with Virginia’s public sector workers, who for decades have been denied a fundamental right enjoyed by tens of millions of American workers in the public and private sectors: the freedom to collectively bargain with the boss on a level playing field. This denial, along with the commonwealth’s “right to work” law, embodies a legacy of racism and anti-worker ideology and remains an injustice today; and

The economy should work for people, not the other way around. An economy that works for people is one that, at a minimum, produces good jobs, not precarious work. A good job is one in which you can not only live, but thrive. We should not need to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Nor should we allow corporations to subvert our rights through misclassification or gig work. We should all have a good job with rights, wages that support a family, health care, retirement and other benefits, safe working conditions and a voice on the job. By exercising our collective power at the bargaining table, in policymaking and in the marketplace, we can shape today and tomorrow’s economy to produce good jobs and improve everyone’s quality of life. 

WHEREAS, throughout 2026 the AFT and community organizations have sought to engage with Target in support of both the Minnesota community’s calls for Target to take a stance on immigration enforcement, and civil rights and faith groups’ calls to recommit to civil rights measures; and

Immigrants and refugees helped to build our nation and our labor movement and are essential to our past, present and future. Unions advocate on the premise that we can build a welcoming immigration system that helps spur inclusive growth, lift standards in our industries, and close pernicious gaps in income and opportunity.

This federation convenes at a dangerous moment for our democracy. Greedy corporations and billionaires are collaborating with their allies in the Trump administration to rob working people of our votes, our voices and our access to justice.

Working people in the United States need and want unions. Building worker power through organizing is the way to win better lives.