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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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.