The AFL-CIO is governed by a quadrennial convention at which all federation members are represented by elected delegates of our unions. Convention delegates set broad policies and goals for the union movement and every four years elect the AFL-CIO officers—the president, secretary-treasurer, executive vice president and 54 vice presidents. These officers make up the AFL-CIO Executive Council, which guides the daily work of the federation.

The AFL-CIO Executive Council meets at least twice a year to consider important union movement business and policies. The council regularly issues statements on legislative measures affecting the interests of working families, ongoing struggles for justice for workers and more.

Below are AFL-CIO Convention resolutions and Executive Council statements by topic from 2001. A full list of statements and resolutions since 1995 can be accessed by year in the Search box at right.

Join a Union

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• A Government of, by and for the People
• Building a Larger, Stronger Movement of America's Workers
• A Voice for Working Families in Our Communities
• A Nation of Immigrants
• Protecting and Promoting Economic and Social Justice

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• The Department of Homeland Security
• Preserving Airline Workers' Collective Bargaining Rights
• National Organizing Summit
• In Support of Senate Bill 1736: Life-Improving Change for California Farm Workers
• 2002 George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award

2003 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• An Unprecedented Labor Movement Campaign in Support of the Freedom of Workers to Choose a Voice at Work
• Bringing Cintas to Justice
• The Relentless Assault on Federal Workers and Their Rights to Union Representation
• Support AFGE’s Fight Against Bush Administration Efforts to Erode the Civil Service
• December 10—International Human Rights Day—Mobilization to Restore the Freedom to Form Unions and Bargain Collectively
• Reform the H-1B and L-1 Guest Worker Visa Programs
• Protecting the Collective Bargaining Rights and Economic Security of Postal Employees

2004 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• 2003 George Meany–Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award
• FAA Workers’ Bargaining Rights Under Siege
• In Support of CWA and IBEW Organizing at Verizon Wireless and Comcast

2005 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Public-Sector Collective Bargaining
• Organizing Professional Workers
• A Plan to Help Workers Win: Uniting Our Power to Build a Stronger, Growing Labor Movement

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• Approving a Permanent Charter for Working America
• A National Worker Center - AFL-CIO Partnership
• Pass the Employee Free Choice Act Now!
• Extension of the AFL-CIO Solidarity Charter Program

2009 Convention

• Seizing the Moment for Growth, Strength and Solidarity: Organizing for Our Future
  

Jobs, Wages and the Global Economy

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

Jobs, Wages and the Global Economy

• An American Economy that Works for All Working Families
• Preserving and Promoting Union Jobs and Union-Made Products and Services
• Protecting and Promoting Economic and Social Justice
• A Voice for Working Families in Our Communities

Living Wages

• A Voice for Working Families in Our Communities

Global Economy

• Global Fairness

Manufacturing

• Maintaining a Strong Manufacturing Industry
• An American Economy that Works for All Working Families

Workers’ Rights

• Building a Larger, Stronger Movement of America's Workers
• A Voice for Working Families in Our Communities
• A Nation of Immigrants

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

Jobs, Wages and the Global Economy

• An Agenda for All America: Good Jobs, Strong Communities, Corporate Accountability
• Unemployment Insurance

Working Women

• Overcoming Barriers to Women in Organizing and Leadership
• 2002 George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award

Global Economy

• An Agenda for All America: Good Jobs, Strong Communities, Corporate Accountability
• The General Agreement on Trade in Services

2003 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

Jobs, Wages and the Global Economy

• Restoring America's Economic Health
• Maintaining Overtime Pay Protection for American Workers
• Restoring America's Economic Health

Global Economy

• Restoring America's Economic Health
• The Crisis in Manufacturing
• Free Trade Area of the Americas Ministerial in Miami: An Action Plan to Oppose the FTAA
• Venezuela
• Global Campaign for Education Week of Action, April 6-13, 2003
• In Support of Fairer Treatment for International Students and Scholars

2004 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

Jobs, Wages and the Global Economy

• The Jobs Crisis Continues
• Outsourcing America
• Call for Negotiations Toward an International Minimum Wage

Global Economy

• Taking Action to Challenge Communist China’s Unfair Trade Practices
• U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement
• Outsourcing America
• Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act
• A Sound Course for U.S. International Aviation Policy

2005 AFL-CIO Convention

Jobs, Wages and the Global Economy

• An Economic Agenda for Working Families: Building Union Power, Reclaiming the American Dream
• Good Jobs for America’s Workers
• The Values That Unite Us as a People and a Movement

Living Wages

• Living Wage Ordinances

Global Economy

• Support for the Work of the Solidarity Center
• Opposition to the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement
• Democratizing the Global Economy: Empowering Workers, Building Democracy, Achieving Shared Prosperity

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

Jobs, Wages and the Global Economy

• Protecting the Public from Transportation Security Risks
• Speed Matters: High-Speed Internet for All
• America’s Response to Gulf Coast Hurricanes

Global Economy

• Time for Bold Action on Trade
• New Tools to Fight Sweatshop Abuses
• A New Era in Trade Policy

Workers’ Rights

• Protecting the Bargaining Rights of FAA Workers
• The Fight to Protect Workplace Democracy
• A National Worker Center - AFL-CIO Partnership
• Condemning Goodyear for Abandoning America's Workers, Retirees and Communities

2009 Convention

• Good Jobs, Tough Times: A National Strategy for Economic Recovery and Sustained Growth
• Safe Jobs for All
• A Labor Movement Agenda for a Stronger, Cleaner and More Just Global Economy
• Creating and Retaining Sustainable Good Green Jobs
• Women, Work and Families
• Call for a National JOBS Now! Initiative—An Agenda to Put Americans Back to Work
• Resolution in Support of the March for Jobs and Global Week in Solidarity with the Unemployed

Retirement Security

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• Protecting and Promoting Economic and Social Justice

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• An Agenda for All America: Good Jobs, Strong Communities, Corporate Accountability
• Retirement Security and Corporate Governance in the Wake of ENRON

2003 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Restoring America's Economic Health

2004 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Protecting Pensions for Employees of United Airlines

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• Ensuring Retirement Security for America's Workers

2009 Convention

• Achieving Retirement Security for Working Families
  

Health Care

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• Protecting and Promoting Economic and Social Justice
• Contraceptive Equity
• Respect Work, Strengthen Family

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• An Agenda For All America: Good Jobs, Strong Communities, Corporate Accountability
• Prescription Drugs
• The Crisis in Health Care

2003 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Renewing the Drive for Comprehensive Health Care Reform
• Restoring America's Economic Health
• Prescription Drugs

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• Emergency Action Needed to Protect Health Care Workers and First Responders from Pandemic Flu
• Health Care Reform

2009 Convention

• Health Care Reform Now
• The Social Insurance Model for Health Care Reform
• Fairness for Specialty Medical Providers
• Resolution to Prevent Discrimination Against Doctors of Podiatric Medicine

Safety and Health at Work

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• Safe Jobs in a Changing World
• A Strong Ergonomics Standard

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Principles on Asbestos Compensation

2005 AFL-CIO Convention

•  Occupational Safety and Health
• Protecting Workers’ Safety and Health

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• New Tools to Fight Sweatshop Abuses
• Emergency Action Needed to Protect Health Care Workers and First Responders from Pandemic Flu
• Protect the Nation’s Coal Miners

2009 Convention

• Resolution on Helicopter Safety

Civil and Human Rights

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

Civil & Human Rights

• One Nation, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All
• Preserving American Values in a Time of Crisis
• Protecting and Promoting Economic and Social Justice

Immigration

• A Voice for Working Families in Our Communities
• A Nation of Immigrants
• One Nation, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride: "On the Road to Citizenship"

2003 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Affirmative Action
• In Support of Statement on Immigration Reform
• Standing United Against Hatred and Bigotry

2004 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Stopping the “Miami Model” in its Tracks: Defending Civil Liberties, Demanding Justice

2005 AFL-CIO Convention

• The Values That Unite Us as a People and a Movement
• Resolution Supporting Full Voting Representation for Residents of the District of Columbia
• A Diverse Movement Calls for Diverse Leadership

2005 Executive Council Policy Statements

• Support for House Joint Resolution 28: Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Regarding the Right to Vote
• Protect Voting Rights
• Support for the Full Inclusion and Equal Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People in the Workplace

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• Responsible Reform of Immigration Laws Must Protect Working Conditions for all Workers in the U.S.
• 2005 George Meany-Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)

2009 Convention

• A Diverse and Democratic Labor Movement
• The Labor Movement’s Principles for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• Unions Should Give People with Disabilities a Voice and a Face

Political Action

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• Elimination of Hatch Act Restrictions
• One Nation, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All
• A Government of, by and for the People

2005 AFL-CIO Convention

• Support and Expand Oregon’s Vote-by-Mail Elections in Other States
• Working Politics for Working Families
• Calling for Labor Solidarity in Political Action Programs
• Pass the Employee Free Choice Act Now!
• The War in Iraq

2009 Convention

• A Historic Opportunity for the Labor Movement: Our Political Moment
• Resolution on Military Coup in Honduras
• Resolution on Permitting Remittances and Lifting Travel Restrictions to Cuba
• Federal Judicial Appointments: A Call for the Restoration of Balance on the Federal Bench

Education

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• Respect Work, Strengthen Family

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• An Agenda for All America: Good Jobs, Strong Communities, Corporate Accountability

2003 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Head Start
• Dream Act
• Global Campaign for Education Week of Action, April 6–13, 2003
• In Support of Fairer Treatment for International Students and Scholars

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• Opposition to the Misnamed “Academic Bill of Rights”
• Opposition to the 65 Percent Solution Initiative

2009 Convention

• Public Education: A Civil Right, A Shared Responsibility

Work and Family

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• Respect Work, Strengthen Family
• An American Economy that Works for All Working Families

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Family Day—A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• For Strong Families: Promoting Family Day, A Day To Eat Dinner With Your Children—September 25, 2006

2009 Convention

• Achieving Retirement Security for Working Families
• Women, Work and Families

Corporate Watch

2001 AFL-CIO Convention

• Global Fairness
• An American Economy that Works for All Working Families
• Protecting and Promoting Economic and Social Justice

2002 AFL-CIO Executive Council Policy Statements

• Corporate Accountability and the Crisis of Confidence in American Business

2005 Executive Council Policy Statements

• The Media Reform Campaign

2006 Executive Council Policy Statements

• Congress Must Curb Corporate Abuse of Bankruptcy