Labor Leaders Form National Labor Coordinating Committee

Organizations representing 16 million working people -- affiliates of the AFL-CIO and Change to Win and the National Education Association -- have come together to create a new National Labor Coordinating Committee to act nationally on critical issues facing working families.

"Recognizing the historic moment we face, the American labor movement must unify to restore the American dream for working families," said David Bonior, the facilitator of the unification effort. Bonior serves as chair of American Rights at Work.

The Committee will work on some of the biggest challenges confronting our nation, including the reform of our labor laws, the renewal of our economy and the passage of national health reform.

"The Committee pledged to complete its consultations among affiliates and other work on unification plans over the coming months. A unified labor movement is the way to ensure that the vast majority of Americans who want a union are able to join one," Bonior said.

CWA President Larry Cohen has been the leading advocate of the reunification effort and has worked for several years to bring about a united labor movement.

The members of the National Labor Coordinating Committee are the Presidents of AFL-CIO, Change To Win, and these unions:

National Education Association
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees
American Federation of Teachers
Communications Workers of America
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Laborers International Union of North America
Service Employees International Union
Unite Here
United Auto Workers  
United Food and Commercial Workers
United Steelworkers of America