MEMORANDUM
TO: Executive Council members
National and International Union Presidents
Trade and Industrial Departments
General Board Representatives
FROM: AFL-CIO Office of the President
As follow up to the Executive Council meeting, we are providing presentations and other information that was requested. All available materials are in this online folder; additional follow-up information is detailed below. All approved Executive Council statements can be found on the AFL-CIO website here.
The Executive Council meets on the subject of convention resolutions on May 4, 2022 at 10am ET via Zoom (link will be shared closer to the date). The Executive Council meets in person in Philadelphia on June 10, 2022 at 3pm ET.
Executive Council members expressed interest in guidance for unions who want to pursue divestment strategies from Russian related assets as a result of recent events in Ukraine. Any decision to divest assets should only be made after consulting with legal counsel and financial advisors. We have prepared a one page educational memorandum regarding the legal issues for divestment by a pension plan.
Below are five action items that a union may wish to consider:
1. Consider divesting Russian assets, if any, that are held by the union and are not subject to ERISA such as union strike funds or union treasury funds;
2. Encourage the union's pension plans for its staff and/or its members to assess whether the plan has any investment exposure to Russian assets;
3. Share the educational memorandum with the union's pension plan trustees about the legal issues involved with a divestment decision;
4. Consider whether the union wishes to endorse state or local legislation that encourages the prudent divestment from Russian assets by public pension plans;
5. Engage in dialogue with U.S. companies and investment managers that may own or operate Russian assets about their plans for divestment.resources can be found here.
AFL-CIO Convention
As we come together in Philadelphia, the labor movement of today and tomorrow will be on display at the exhibition hall as we engage with some of the biggest issues and ideas that affect the future of our Movement. We are inviting you - our affiliates, constituency groups and partners - to use the exhibit hall to demonstrate and explore how your organization is thinking about these issues:
Help workers have a voice in the future of work.
Build an economic future that is sustainable, centered around worker rights and advances racial justice, in our country and in our unions.
Attract young workers and grow our movement.
Leverage the power, skills and voice of working women.
Respond to threats like climate change, and chart a course for an equitable clean energy future that creates good union jobs.
Please submit your request for space in the exhibit hall by April 15.
Here is the link to the live convention website which will be updated regularly. If you have any questions, please contact our convention team by emailing convention2022faqs@aflcio.org.
Research & Polling Project
The research deck has been updated to include an appendix with demographic slides.
The affiliate research and polling workgroup meets on a monthly basis to discuss research topics, review survey instruments, share research and discuss elements of the research projects being done by the AFL-CIO. If you have not already designated someone to participate in the workgroup and would like to do so, please reach out to DAIR Director Michelle Penson at mpenson@aflcio.org.
AFL-CIO Contract Campaign and Strike Support Hub
Please find links to the strike statements discussed during our Executive Council meeting:
https://aflcio.org/press/releases/striking-warrior-met-workers-have-support-entire-labor-movement
https://aflcio.org/press/releases/entire-labor-movement-supports-striking-workers
Strike Map
The AFL-CIO strike map lists active strikes and provides links to donate to corresponding strike funds. This map aids in the ability to increase visibility, solidarity, and mobilization opportunities for the broader labor movement and community at large. View the Strike Map here.
The data that supports this active and dynamic map is dependent on affiliate communication with our Contract Campaign and Strike Support Team. Please share all strike related information to strike@aflcio.org which enables us to amplify your fight.
Affiliate Working Group
The Contract Campaign and Strike Support Hub is designed to be driven by affiliates. Union staff designees meet regularly to collaborate, share best practices, and shape the Federation’s program. This group will meet next on Wednesday March 23 at 2 p.m. ET to register and receive connection details for this meeting, click here.
Please have your designated representative join the affiliate driven Contract Campaign & Strike Hub meeting Wednesday March 23 at 2 p.m. ET. For further information please contact strike@aflcio.org and/or Assistant to the President Isaac Gobern (919) 449-4072 igobern@aflcio.org
AFL-CIO
Office of the President
815 Black Lives Matter Plaza, NW
Washington, DC 20006>
