AFL-CIO

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) works tirelessly to improve the lives of working people. We are the democratic, voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women.
Releases by this organization
Newswire article Tuesday, December 07, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka On Tax Cut Deal Two years ago, working Americans had high hopes that we would ultimately emerge from the deep, punishing financial debacle with a sharp focus on a fundamentally stronger, fairer and more balanced economy. Today, that vision has dimmed. Read more |
Newswire article Friday, December 03, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on November Jobs Report This morning's disastrous jobs report should wake up Capitol Hill, where Senate Republicans have been outrageously and unconscionably blocking the restoration of unemployment insurance for millions of Americans while demanding tax cuts for millionaires. The unemployment rate is once again painfully close to double digits at 9.8%, with the economy adding only 39,000 jobs last month. Read more |
Newswire article Wednesday, December 01, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka On The Deficit Commission Report With this report the Deficit Commission once again tells working Americans to 'Drop Dead.' No proposal on fiscal issues is serious that leaves the Bush tax cuts for the rich in place while raising taxes on the middle class and slashing Social Security and Medicare. All commission members should vote no on this misguided plan. All members of Congress should also oppose these job-killing policies if they are raised in future legislation or budgets. Read more |
Newswire article Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the Domenici-Rivlin Deficit Plan Both the Domenici-Rivlin plan released today and the Simpson-Bowles plan released last week would threaten the economic recovery and destroy American jobs by calling for job-killing fiscal austerity before our jobs deficit is closed. Read more |
Newswire article Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on the Recommendation of the Deficit Commission Chairs The chairmen of the Deficit Commission just told working Americans to 'Drop Dead.' Especially in these tough economic times, it is unconscionable to be proposing cuts to the critical economic lifelines for working people, Social Security and Medicare. Some people are saying this plan is just a "starting point." Let me be clear, it is not. This deficit talk reeks of rank hypocrisy: The very people who want to slash Social Security and Medicare spent this week clamoring for more unpaid Bush tax cuts for millionaires. Read more |
Newswire article Friday, November 05, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka on October Jobs Report Tuesday's election results and today's jobs numbers are a clarion call to the next Congress that job creation and fixing our economy must be the number one priority. With the unemployment rate stagnant at 9.6 percent, it's no wonder people are angry, frustrated and disappointed. Read more |
Newswire article Wednesday, October 20, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka On Apollo Alliance Clean Transportation Manufacturing Action Plan Our economy needs to be rebuilt, and working Americans need jobs – both of which can be accomplished by modernizing and shoring up our nation's roads, bridges, mass transportation and advanced vehicles. The AFL-CIO applauds the Apollo Alliance Clean Transportation Manufacturing Action Plan (TMAP). TMAP will transform the legacy of our past into a practical vision and plan for the 21st century. Their plan will foster innovation and new technology while creating good jobs and ensuring that our manufacturing sector is competitive in a dynamic global economy. Read more |
Newswire article Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Working America Unveils Campaign to Organize & Mobilize Unemployed Voters Working America is launching a campaign that will organize & mobilize hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers across the nation for the November elections. The campaign will engage unemployed Working America members who are registered voters by reaching out to them in their homes, on the street and in unemployment offices, with the goal of rallying voters around the crucial issues of jobs and trade. Read more |
Newswire article Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka on Signing of Comprehensive Financial Reform Today officially marks a new day on Wall Street – one where working people's voices are finally being heard. President Obama and the leadership in Congress – with the help of America's workers -- have achieved a landmark accomplishment in beginning to shift our nation away from the control of big bankers and CEOs and towards working families and Main Street. Read more |
Newswire article Wednesday, July 07, 2010 Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka On the Appointment of Dr. Don Berwick To Lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services We applaud the appointment today of Don Berwick, M.D., to direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). There is no better individual than Dr. Berwick to lead the effort to transform our health care system into one that provides every patient with the best possible care at every interaction. Dr. Berwick's appointment comes at a critical time, as key improvements in Medicare, for early retirees, and for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act go into effect this summer. Read more |