The collective voice of working families

The
organizational structure of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, similar to that
of the 51 other state federations chartered at the national level,
allows its membership to set broad policies and goals at biennial
constitutional conventions. The executive officers of the state
federation carry out interim directives and everyday operations. 

ANNUAL CONVENTIONS

As
outlined in the state AFL-CIO’s constitution, the convention is the
supreme governing body of the organization. Each affiliate of the state
federation is represented in proportion to its membership, which is
based on an average calculated over a 24-month period. 

Every
four years, convention delegates elect state AFL-CIO officers:
president, secretary-treasurer, three executive vice presidents, 47
vice presidents and the principal officers of 13 Central Labor
Councils. These officers make up the Mass AFL-CIO Executive Council,
which meets at least six times during the course of a year. 

The
Massachusetts AFL-CIO holds its constitutional Convention biennially
between September 15 and October 30. During the interim years, it holds
the Legislative and Committee on Political Education (COPE) Conference
and Convention in its place. 

COMMITTEES, PROGRAMS AND FUNDING

While
the state AFL-CIO is the umbrella organization for local unions, 13
central labor councils perform similar work on a regional basis,
linking local unions together and working to build stronger community
alliances. 

Monthly dues, known as per capita taxes, are
the primary source of income for the Mass AFL-CIO. The current per
capita tax for affiliates is 58 cents per member per month. Four cents
goes to the COPE account and an additional two cents is deposited in
both the education account and the education endowment fund from each
58-cent contribution. In total, each member of an affiliated union
contributes approximately $7 annually to support the state federation.
The Mass AFL-CIO makes detailed financial reports available at
executive council meetings and conventions. 

The Executive
Council, as well as the general membership at conventions, develops
specific programs to achieve the Mass AFL-CIO’s goals. The federation’s
committees and departments, under the direction of the president, carry
out the programs. 

The state AFL-CIO Committees are: 

* COPE
* The Women’s Committee
* Communications
* Organizing
* Diversity
* Education
* Members’ Assistance

There are three staff departments: 

* Legislative
* COPE
* Education and Training

There
are also staff members in charge of organizing, communications, health
and safety and rapid response, a division of the education and training
department. The state AFL-CIO works in cooperation with the
Massachusetts Union Label Council.