AFL-CIO Convention Report: Join together and win

by Jackie Jeter
"When we join together, when we fight together, we can and will win together." That's the theme and message coming out of St. Louis at the AFL-CIO over these last few days. The convention started with a commitment from the US labor movement to helping the people of the island of Puerto Rico and other communities who are suffering after natural disasters struck this year, and pivoted to the need to rebuild our infrastructure and cities in a way that builds a stronger middle class and with quality jobs from coast to coast. The first day ended with the re-election of Richard Trumka as AFL-CIO President, Liz Shuler as Secretary-Treasurer, and Tefere Gebre as Executive Vice-President. We will continue to report on the convention in the coming days, but wanted to share an update that the labor movement is having good and hard conversations and coming together around the idea that this moment is critical and we need to come together, organize together, stand together, grow together, and fight to create a more perfect union. 
- Jeter is president of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO. photo above: Jeter and MWC Executive Director Carlos Jimenez at the convention