The AFL-CIO announced it will involve progressive organizations and nonunion members in its efforts to better represent and fight for the rights of all workers.

At its annual convention, held Sept. 8–11 in Los Angeles, the AFL-CIO adopted a resolution that invites liberal groups to participate in creating AFL-CIO policies and invites all workers — not just union cardholders — to join in solving problems that all workers face.

“We’re in a crisis right now, and none of us are big enough to change that crisis. None of us are big enough to change the economy and make it work for everybody. It takes all progressive voices working together,” said Richard Trumka, the president of the AFL-CIO, at the start of the convention.

Alliances with like-minded groups are nothing new for the AFL-CIO, but Trumka told reporters: “What we used to do is, we would get a plan and go to our progressive allies and say, ‘Here’s our plan; sign up.’ Sometimes that worked and most of the time it didn’t. Our goal right now is to try to go to our progressive allies and say, ‘Here’s a problem. It’s a joint problem. Let’s both create a plan.’”

Trib Total Media, Sept. 15