Affiliate Survey

A labor council serves as a local or regional organization of affiliated labor unions, acting as the heart of the labor movement by representing the collective interests of working people at the local and state levels. Its primary purposes include giving workers a unified voice, advocating for improved working conditions and wages, and fighting for economic and social justice within their communities. Labor councils achieve these goals by coordinating with unions, lobbying government officials, and mobilizing members for campaigns to benefit working families. 

Key Functions of a Labor Council

• Collective Voice:
  Labor councils give workers a unified voice to address workplace injustices, improving their collective power to negotiate with employers. 

• Advocacy:
  They champion better policies for working families in local and state governments by lobbying for economic and social justice issues. 

• Coordination:
  Councils coordinate activities and share information among various member unions, fostering a stronger, more cohesive labor movement. 

• Political Engagement:
  They educate and motivate union members to participate in political action, ensuring a political voice for workers' rights and interests. 

• Community Involvement:
  Labor councils engage with community and partner organizations to conduct campaigns and address broader issues affecting working people. 

How They Operate

• Affiliation:
  Labor councils are comprised of affiliated local and regional labor unions that pay affiliation fees, typically based on the number of their members. 

• Democratic Structure:
  They often operate as democratically elected bodies that represent the diverse interests of their member unions and workers. 

• State and Local Focus:
  These organizations focus on issues at the local and state levels, serving as key contact points for unions to interact with government and the public.