As the umbrella organization for the state wide labor movement, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO helps affiliated unions promote the agenda of working families on all levels and through every available medium. We recognize that the future of organized labor is closely tied to public perception and as such, we place a great emphasis on both internal and external media relations.

* Newsletters: To promote the work of the statewide labor movement, the statefederation produces a monthly publication, called the Massachusetts Labor Leader.Widely distributed within the labor community and beyond, the newsletter features news and profile articles, opinion columns, interviews with political leaders,updates on Massachusetts AFL-CIO political, legislative and education/training initiativesand an extensive calendar of upcoming events. 

* Weekly E-Mail Updates: Each Friday, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO sends out its Weekly Labor Reader by e-mail and fax. Primarily, the WLR serves to distribute breaking news from the states labor movement, but also contains a detailed calendar ofupcoming events and job/internship listings. To be placed on the e-mail list for the WLR, please e-mail tsullivan@massaflcio.org.

* Massachusetts AFL-CIO Website: The Massachusetts AFL-CIO maintains an interactive and frequently changing website that both the labor community and the general public can visit at www.massaflcio.org. The website features weekly news updates, pictures from Massachusetts AFL-CIO events and affiliate rallies and actions, full-text versions of both the monthly Massachusetts Labor Leader and Weekly Labor Reader, as well as contact information for all state AFL-CIO staff and an ever-expanding list of hotlinks to websites of interest to the labor community. In coming months, the website will include a feature that will allow labor activists and rank-and-file members to write legislators and politicians about issues directly from the site. 

* To promote the message of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO and the statewide labor movement, the state feds communications specialist maintains regular contact with both Greater Boston and regional media outlets, and is available to all affiliates and local unions for help in press relations. For any such inquiries or for help on any matter regarding press relations, contact us at 781-324-8230.  

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO communications specialist also offers the following services toaffiliate unions: 

* Media Workshops and Tutorials: Part of the Massachusetts AFL-CIOs mission is to teach affiliate unions and labor activists how to conduct themselves with the media and how to hone their message to bring have the maximum effect. To this end, the state fed conductsregional tutorials and workshops throughout the Commonwealth on nights and weekends. To schedule such a tutorial, please contact the Massachusetts AFL-CIO at 781 324-8230 ext. 25.  

* Op-ed pieces and other written materials: The Massachusetts AFL-CIO frequently makes its position on a battery of political, legislative and economic issues heard through newspaper op-ed pieces or letters to the editor. While such pieces generally deal with statewide issues, many also have regional significance. Any op-ed pieces, letters to the editor or other written materials are available to affiliate unions for use in their own local publications or for use in online outreach. 

* Help in Designing Newsletters or Outreach Materials: In line with the stated communications mission of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the state feds communications specialist is available to help affiliates and local unions in designing newsletters or other outreach materials. 

To discuss any of the services specified here, please contact Tim Sullivan, Legislative and Communications Director of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, at (781) 324-8230.