Working America

Working America is the political organizing arm of the AFL-CIO.[3] Its membership is made up of non-union individuals.[1] It is the largest non-union workers' group in the United States, with a self-reported membership of 3.2 million individuals.[2] Working America advocates for progressive policy issues. The organization recruits people in working-class neighborhoods on their doorsteps in an effort to persuade them to support labor-backed candidates at election time.[4][5]

Working America
Full nameWorking America
Founded2003
Members3.2 million[1][2]
Head unionMatt Morrison, executive director
AffiliationAFL-CIO
Office locationWashington, D.C.
CountryUnited States
Websitewww.workingamerica.org

Overview

The organization started as a two-state pilot project of the AFL-CIO in 2003.[6] The organization was launched nationally that fall. The organization's founding director was Karen Nussbaum.

In October 2005, the organization announced that it had enrolled 1 million members.[7] It reported a membership of 2.5 million by the fall of 2008.[8]

Campaigns

Working America undertook its first nationwide activities in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. It organized a "Show Us The Jobs" bus tour of workers throughout the Midwest. The tour was critical of President George W. Bush's policies.[9][10]

Senator Russ Feingold signing up as a member of Working America on August 4, 2008

Working America was active in the 2006 midterm congressional elections.[11] Working America activists were credited by the press and Democrats for helping to deliver federal and state victories in Ohio and Pennsylvania.[12]

In 2007, Working America began a campaign to build support for universal health care. The group established a "Health Care Hustle" website on which consumers could post stories about how lack of health insurance or under-insurance led to significant financial, health or other problems. Working America promised to launch a campaign against the organization or corporation which received the most "horror stories." The effort built upon a previous campaign by Working America in mid-2006 in which the organization asked the public to submit stories about "bad bosses."[13]

In 2015, Working America led a "massive get-out-the-vote effort" to elect Democrat Jack Conway as Governor of Kentucky. Conway was defeated by Republican Matt Bevin.[14]

Policy positions

Working America opposes liquor store privatization.[2] It supports the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion.[15] The organization advocates for an increased minimum wage and universal health care.[4]

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References
  1. Sixel, L.M. (March 21, 2012). "Sixel: Drive means everyone can join AFL-CIO". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  2. Eidelson, Josh (April 17, 2013). "AFL-CIO's Non-Union Worker Group Headed Into Workplaces in Fifty States". The Nation. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  3. Miller, Justin (November 4, 2015). "The Labor Prospect: Election Hangover". American Prospect. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  4. Meyerson, Harold (Fall 2014). "The Seeds of a New Labor Movement". American Prospect. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  5. Boselovic, Len (September 8, 2005). "Embattled AFL-CIO works to involve nonunion households". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  6. "Working America on the march". Seattle Times. November 11, 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  7. Rogers, Joel; Berry Freeman, Richard. What Workers Want. Cornell University Press. p. 204. ISBN 9780801473258.
  8. Moberg, David (August 29, 2008). "Labor's New Push". The Nation. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  9. Taylor, T. Sean (March 23, 2004). "Labor to assail Bush's record on jobs". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  10. "Labor bus tour highlights plight of unemployed, weak jobs market". USA Today. Associated Press. March 22, 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  11. Von Bergen, "No Union? No Problem," Duluth News-Tribune, May 12, 2006.
  12. Greenhouse, Steven (October 8, 2006). "Labor Goes Door to Door to Rally Suburban Voters". New York Times. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  13. Sostek, Anya (March 2, 2007). "Unions take closer look at health-care stories". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  14. Mahoney, Brian (November 4, 2015). "Kentucky elects right-to-work governor". Politico. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  15. "Working America represents at Medicaid Expansion Lobby Day". NC State AFL–CIO. March 27, 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
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