Massachusetts AFL-CIO

The role of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is to serve as the unified voice of all organized workers in the Commonwealth and to be a voice for all working people, those in unions and those not yet organized. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families—by working for economic, social and racial justice in the workplace, in our communities, our state and in our nation. Our vision is of a fair and just society that benefits all working people, not a system that’s rigged in favor of the wealthy few.

We Mourn the Passing of Joe Faherty

On behalf of our 500,000 members across the Commonwealth, we are sad to learn of the passing of Joseph C. Faherty, who served as president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO from 1990-1998. Mr.

Liz Shuler Elected AFL-CIO President

The AFL-CIO Executive Council today elected Liz Shuler, a visionary leader and longtime trade unionist, to serve as president of the federation of 56 unions and 12.5 million members. Shuler is the first woman to hold the office in the history of the labor federation. The Executive Council also elected United Steelworkers (USW) International Vice President Fred Redmond to succeed Shuler as secretary-treasurer, the first African American to hold the number two office. Tefere Gebre will continue as executive vice president, rounding out the most diverse team of officers ever to lead the AFL-CIO.

In Memoriam: Richard L. Trumka (1949-2021)

Our brother and leader Richard Trumka passed away on August 5, 2021, at the age of 72.

Record a Video

Tell us why the PRO Act is important to you and how it will help all working people.

AM I SAFE AT WORK?

Help workers demand safer workplaces.

2021 Executive Paywatch

High Paid CEOs and the Low Wage Economy

Can my employer force me to return to work?

Read the Employment Rights Coalition's guidelines about returning to work during Governor Baker's COVID-19 reopening plan. 

Recent News

Liz Shuler: Seeing a Bigger Role for Women in the Labor Movement

NYT: How did you get your start in the labor movement?

Liz Shuler: I came up through the IBEW [International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers]. My father was a union member and worked for PGE [an Oregon utility]. Clerical workers were not in a union, and my mother and I were organizing them. PGE was a study in the difference a union can make: Power linemen were respected and made good wages, and nonunion clerical workers were not listened to and didn’t have a voice.

Survey Shows Broad Public Support For Worker Strikes

Workers at companies like Kellogg’s, Nabisco and John Deere have hit the picket lines in recent weeks hoping to get a better deal from their employers. A new survey suggests the public by and large supports them.

The AFL-CIO labor federation commissioned the progressive pollster Data for Progress to take the public’s temperature on the strikes that have made headlines this summer and fall. The online survey of nearly 1,300 likely voters asked if they “approve or disapprove of employees going on strike in support of better wages, benefits, and working conditions.”

Strikes Are Sweeping the Labor Market as Workers Wield New Leverage

Marcial Reyes could have just quit his job. Frustrated with chronic understaffing at the Kaiser Permanente hospital where he works in Southern California, he knows he has options in a region desperate for nurses.

Instead, he voted to go on strike.

Labor Flexes Its Muscle as Leverage Tips from Employers to Workers

And many of them are either hitting the picket lines or quitting their jobs as a result.

The changing dynamics of the US labor market, which has put employees rather than employers in the driver's seat in a way not seen for decades, is allowing unions to flex their muscle.

See all

AFL-CIO Blog

Take Action

Quincy College Union Member Scholarship Information

Quincy College Tuition Benefit for AFL/CIO Members

Members – and their families –  can apply to enjoy a savings of $300 per course! 

Take Action
Stop Wage Theft!

Stop Wage Theft in Massachusetts!

The epidemic of wage theft has become business-as-usual in far too many industries in Massachusetts. Tell your legislators to pass HD1959/SD1179 now!

Join the Fight