Coalition of Labor Union Women (U.S.) (New York City Chapter)

The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of trade union women affiliated with the AFL-CIO. The CLUW is a bridging organization that seeks to create connections between the feminist movement and the labor movement in the United States. The organization works towards overcoming past constraints and conflicts in pursuance of relationship improvement between those movements and thus enabling broad coalitions. The CLUW is the only national organization solely for women union members and is one of six constituency groups within the AFL-CIO. It is based in the headquarters of the AFL-CIO in Washington, D.C. CLUW pursues by four goals: to bring women into union leadership, to organise unorganized women workers, to bring women's issues onto the labor agenda, and to involve women into political action.


Contents
1 History
1.1 Timeline
2 Structure and governance
3 Relationship with AFL-CIO
4 Bridging Organization
5 Impact
6 Diversity
7 Programs
8 References
9 Further reading
9.1 Archives
10 External links
History
Women have participated in unions throughout time. Beginning with the first national women's labor union in the United States, The Daughters of St. Crispin. Followed by many other unions such as: printer unions, The Knights of Labor, Women's Trade Union League, National Organization for Women, and many more. However, these unions did not support all women and discriminated against certain races.

CLUW was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1974 by a group of diverse women labor union leaders as part of a wave of constituency group organizing within the AFL-CIO. The founding members wanted an organization that did not discriminate among race and to also include unionized women workers.

The impetus for the formation of CLUW came in June 1973 when women labor union leaders, led by Olga Madar,[1] who later became first president, of the United Auto Workers and Addie Wyatt of the United Food and Commercial Workers met to discuss the formation of a new AFL-CIO body. They sought to create a more effective voice for women in the labor movement.[2]

In March 1974, union women from over 58 unions and 41 states gathered in Chicago, Illinois to establish an organization based upon women and labor movements. There were over 3,000 women in attendance. The purpose of this organization was to increase the number of organized women workers, implement affirmative action, work for the passage of legislation favorable to women workers, and increase women's involvement in their unions.[3] Furthermore, this organization would establish a union that would be more responsive to the needs of women in the labor force. Therefore, the Coalition of Labor Union Women was formed due to political socialization and mainly the need of the founding members to address union identities amongst feminists. CLUW was founded as a result of protests starting from the late 60s and throughout the early 70's. The diffusion of feminist consciousness brought the uprising of feminist organizations.

Timeline
1974- March 23–24, Chicago, IL. The founding conference elected Olga M. Madar as the president. Adopted four goals: organized the unorganized, promoted affirmative action, had more women participate in their union, increased women's presence in political activities
1975- First National Women's Health Conference. AFL-CIO endorsed the Equal Rights Amendment, and CLUW became first to move its convention from non-ratified Equal Rights Amendment state to ratified state.
1976- First National Convention on Pay Equity
1977- During National Convention, Joyce D. Miller was elected president. CLUW came together with women's civil rights and religious groups to stand up for minimum wage increase. CLUW was part of the Decade of Women Conference.
1978- CLUW Center for Education and Research was founded.
1979- First Biennial National Convention and CLUW health/safety series took place.
1980- CLUW president, Joyce D. Miller, became the first woman to be part of the AFL-CIO Executive Council.
1994- CLUW celebrated 20th anniversary. Conferenced on National Health Reform and Women in Global Economy.
1996- Conferences on Voter Education and Participation, organized for political action and union women empowerment.
1998- Conferenced on CLUW's goals and worked to end violence against women.
2000- Launched 200 Election Project which focused on having women registering to vote, getting more involved in political activities and participating in elections.
2001- Participated in NOW's emergency action for women's lives. Initiated campaign for inclusion of contraceptives in union health care plans. Received $225,000 CDC grant for HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program.
2002- CLUW supported action for UFCW's Justice for Wal-Mart workers and UNITES's Behind the Label anti-sweatshop initiative.
2004- CLUW hosted a town hall meeting in New Orleans before Election Day to allow voters to access all the major organizations they wanted to represent
2005- CLUW's Contraceptive Equity Project was well received, CLUW then started Cervical Cancer Prevention Works. CLUW also participated in Diversity Summit with the AFI-CIO convention. CLUW supported the Wake-Up Wal-Mart campaign to promote anti-worker, anti-union practices of the largest employer.
2006- CLUW joined with Sister Study to help locate women with breast cancer and to research the causes. CLUW's Contraceptive Project did really well when the male Masters, Mates, and Pilots Union adds contraceptive coverage for its 6,800 member and spouses. Cervical Cancer Prevention Works project worked closely with CLUW chapters and unions in California to secure HPV test coverage there.
2007- CLUW celebrated the reintroduction of Women and Equality Amendment. Participated in Voices of Iraqi Workers Solidarity Tour, allowing them to work closely with Iraqi workers. A panel addressed "Diversity in the Labor Movement-Dialogue and Action." Delegates set policy through the support of 18 resolutions relating to the Employee Free Choice Act and the need to make health care issues a cornerstone. Called on withdrawal of troops and private contractors in Iraq, and then further calling on women and people of color in union leadership and support of USW's.[4]
Structure and governance
CLUW is governed by its membership. The membership meets in a biennial convention in October in odd-numbered years. At least six times each year, the National Officers Council meet to act on organization business concepts and to plan these conventions. Members may belong to any labor union, and be active or retired. Provisions exist for associate membership for those who are not union members or on long-term layoff. Members must belong to a local chapter, or, when no local chapter exists, be a member at-large. National unions and local chapters may elect one delegate to the national convention for every five CLUW members. The membership discusses and sets policy, and elects the officers and board of directors of the organization.

In the direction of the national president and national staff, CLUW's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C. The national staff contains the organization's executive director, the director of the CLUW Center for Education and Research, the national organizer, and two additional staff positions. The term for national officers is four years. There are also 12 vice presidents. The president-emeritus, executive vice-president emeritus, officers and vice presidents comprise a National Executive Board (NEB).

CLUW's standing committees take care of administrative tasks like elections, archives, recruitments, finances, and introducing topics of devoted concern. The CLUW constitution also provides for a National Officers Council. The Council governs CLUW in the period between conventions. Its rulings and policies are binding unless reversed by the convention. CLUW takes initiative to recruit young working women concerning such issues that affect their lives, unity with coworkers, and demonstrating the union wage advantage.

CLUW has both state and local chapters. The NEB is empowered to charter new chapters, and Article XIII of the CLUW constitution governs the conditions under which they may be established. Currently, there are about 75 CLUW chapters in the U.S. and Canada, with members in about 60 international American and Canadian unions.

Relationship with AFL-CIO
CLUW is one of six constituent groups of the AFL-CIO. The mutualism between the two organizations was never let known to the public by the CLUW News or the CLUW constitution. CLUW relies on the AFL-CIO for funding. Members from both groups characterize the support as mutual. CLUW helps the AFL-CIO by associating women with labor movements and the AFL-CIO provides money for CLUW. CLUW members believe that even though they are a support group of the AFL-CIO, it did not mean they agree on everything the AFL-CIO believes in and likewise, have their own independence.

According to a respondent, "We call us a "support group" because mostly and fundamentally we support each other. However, we are not the AFL-CIO. We are the women's movement within the AFL-CIO. And I think we are... considered to be more progressive in certain areas of the labor movement and in regard to women's issues and children and family. So we are looked at with respect, and hope and admiration from ... the members of the AFL-CIO."[5]

Bridging Organization
CLUW strived to build coalitions between women's issues toward the labor agenda. Coalitions and alliances were generated among the women's and labor movements. The unions were altered from within and demonstrated "unobtrusive mobilization," a method that accomplished feminist goals. CLUW's advancement on issues like childcare, pay equity, and sexual harassment helped develop a feminist labor agenda. For example, when day care workers went on strike in 1989 in West Berlin, the strike consisted of day care workers. The strike was assumed to be a labor affair rather than a women's concern. Therefore, leaders in the women's movement did not perceive that it was their responsibility. The day care worker's strike was an issue for women, but the day care workers gave women the opportunity to work and earn some sort of income even though the wages were still low. Miscommunication between the labor and women's movement was a factor that played a role in the strike's failure. Had there been a bridging organization like CLUW, then improved developments could have resulted. Bridging organizations establish the blueprint for future partnerships. Women's labor, civil rights, and other social movement organizations formed coalitions with CLUW.

Impact
CLUW represented networks of union women even though the organization itself contained few members and staff. The National Executive Board members were very active with the women's movement, the civil rights movement, and the labor movement at all different local, regional, and national levels. CLUW members were very involved with other organizations, in addition to the CLUW. CLUW united the goals of the women's and labor movements by addressing issues such as childcare, sexual harassment, and pay equity. Working-class women and women of color were attracted to CLUW because it was able to touch upon the interests that women had, such as worker's issues, family issues and labor issues. because mainstream second wave feminist organizations had alienated working-class women and women of color by not addressing issues in these ways.

Diversity
The CLUW is a very diverse organization with respect to not only education and occupation but also gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. In 1994, 30% of CLUW were women of color. 20% of members were African American, 6% were Hispanic and Latina, 1% were Asian American, 2% were Native American, and 2% considered themselves as another ethnicity. The diversity in the CLUW indicated the significant unionization rate of women of color. The majority of the CLUW establishing members were women of color. They wanted an organization that included unionized women workers and did not discriminate among race. Men were also members of the organization, representing 13% of the CLUW. CLUW wanted to include men in their organization to demonstrate that they are not anti-male and that they are accepting of everyone.

Programs
CLUW holds educational conferences the day before each National Executive Board (NEB) meeting. The conferences cover a wide variety of topics, from equal pay to organizing new workers to family-friendly collective bargaining language.

In 1979, CLUW established the CLUW Center for Education and Research. The center is a nonprofit entity, which provides education and training programs to CLUW members. The goal of the Center is to train members to become more effective advocates for working women in the workplace and the labor movement.

CLUW sponsors a number of women's health initiatives. These cover breast and cervical cancer awareness and a project to increase access to contraception. In 2000, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) stated that the employers can not show bias against their employees' health insurance by denying benefits for contraceptives. If they offer benefits for drugs and services that are used to prevent other medical conditions. In the Spring of 2001 the CLUW established the Contraceptive Equity Project to notify union members and women about legal, political, and medical issues that were related to gaining contraceptive coverage. CLUW works with the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) in the National Council of Women's Organizations. In September 2010, the new health care law went to effect which required insurance plans to cover certain defensive health care services, that includes mammograms, smoking cessation treatment, folic acid, among others, at no cost.

CLUW Mission Statement
The Coalition of Labor Union Women is America's only national organization for union women. Formed in 1974, CLUW is a nonpartisan organization within the union movement.

The primary purpose of (CLUW) is to unify all union women in a strong organization to determine and seek remedies to our common problems and concerns and to develop action programs within the framework of the labor movement to effectively promote our objectives.

At its founding convention in Chicago, Illinois, CLUW adopted four core objectives: to empower women for greater participation at all levels in the labor movement; to organizing the unorganized; to promote affirmative action, social and economic justice in the workplace; and to increase the participation of women in the political and legislative processes.

These goals continue to be the cornerstone of CLUW's activities as members speak out for equal pay, child and elder care benefits, job security, safe workplaces, affordable health care, contraceptive equity, and protection from sexual harassment and violence at work.

With members from more than 70 international and national unions across the U.S., CLUW has a strong network of 36 chapters throughout the nation. CLUW is endorsed by the AFL-CIO and its international and national unions. CLUW local chapters educate members, keep them up-to-date on a variety of issues of concern to working families, and provide a support network for women in unions.


How CLUW Operates
CLUW's National Office is located in Washington, DC and is directed by the National President. The National Staff consists of an Executive Director and a Labor/Women’s Rights Advocate.

Its governing body consists of a National Officers Council, composed of 22 women union leaders, and a National Executive Board (NEB) elected at CLUW's Biennial Convention.

CLUW's National President is Elise Bryant of the Labor Heritage Foundation.

The National Officers Council is representative of members from a diverse cross-section of unions within the organization and meets regularly upon call of the president.

The National Executive Board (NEB) includes members of the National Officers Council, State Presidents, State Vice Presidents, Chapter Presidents, Union Delegates and Chapter Delegates. Union and chapter delegates are elected in proportion to their membership in CLUW. Board meetings are held at least three times within the 2 year period between conventions. Educational conferences are usually held the day preceding each NEB meeting.

The NEB maintains General Committees in the following areas:

Leadership Development, Minority Issues/Affirmative Action, Organizing the Unorganized, Legislative/Political Action, Young Women Workers/Recruitment, Media and New Technologies, Work and Family Issues, Mature Women Workers, Women in the Global Community, Women’s Health and Wellness, Women in Non-Traditional Jobs, and Education. Standing Committees, separate from General Committees, are the following: Finance, Elections, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Archives and History.


History of CLUW
Following months of discussion and planning, more than 3,000 union women from across the U.S. convened in Chicago, IL on March 23-24, 1974, to form an organization to address the critical needs of millions of unorganized working women and make unions more responsive to the needs of all working women. The organization they created is CLUW, whose primary purpose is to serve as an entity where working women could share common problems and concerns and develop action programs within the framework of unions to deal effectively with these objectives.

1974: March 23-24, Chicago, IL: Founding Conference elects Olga M. Madar as president. Delegates adopt as CLUW's mission four goals: organize the unorganized; promote affirmative action; increase women's participation in their unions; and increase women's participation in political and legislative activities.

1975: First Constitutional Convention. First National Women's Health Conference. After the AFL-CIO endorses the Equal Rights Amendment, CLUW becomes the first organization to move its convention from non-ratified Equal Rights Amendment state to ratified state. Publishes Women and Health Security.

1976: National Convention. First Conference on Pay Equity.

1977: National Convention. Joyce D. Miller elected president. CLUW joins with other women's, civil rights and religious groups to lobby for minimum wage increase. Participates in Decade of Women Conference. Publishes booklet Commitment to Child Care.

1978: National Convention. CLUW Center for Education and Research established.

1979: First Biennial National Convention: "A Woman's Place is in Her Union." Publishes Effective Contract Language for Union Women and a CLUW health and safety series.

1980: CLUW President Joyce D. Miller becomes the first woman elected to the AFL-CIO Executive Council. First National Conference on Organizing the Unorganized. Publishes Absent from the Agenda, a survey of women representation within the leadership of the labor movement.

1981: CLUW participates in Solidarity Day. Publishes Lead: A New Perspective on an Old Problem.

1982: Second Biennial National Convention: "A Past of Progress ... A Future of Promise." Jointly sponsors Baltimore/Washington Women's Organization. Publishes A Handbook for Empowerment of Union Women.

1983: National Conference on Working Women and Substance Abuse, second National Conference on Organizing the Unorganized. Organizes the Women's Vote Project, a coalition of 38 national women's organizations to register and educate women voters.

1984: Third Biennial National Convention: "Women in Unions: A Decade of Progress ... A Future of Growth;" National Legislative Conference; National Affirmative Action Conference. CLUW activists register thousands of women to vote.

1985: Three national conferences on family and work issues. Publishes Bargaining for Child Care: A Union Parent's Guide.

1986: Fourth Biennial National Convention: "Challenged by Our Past-Forging Change for Our Future." First annual Working Women's Awareness Week. Conferences on older and retired women workers, minority women workers. Sets up CLUW sexual harassment hotline, files brief to US Supreme Court on sexual harassment case (Vinson v. Meritor Savings Bank). Participates in March for Women's Lives.

1987: Third National Conference on Organizing the Unorganized.

1988: Fifth Biennial National Convention: "Today's Challenge, Tomorrow's Change." National Conference on Legislation and Political Action. Joint sponsorship of four regional Bargaining for Our Families Conferences. Calls for a national family policy with the American Family Celebration (50,000 union, civil, religious and women's rights activists attend). Establishes annual Hits & Ms.'s List - the Best and Worst for Working Women.

1989: Three regional Bargaining for Our Families Conferences. Obtains funding for project to fight government intervention in women's reproductive freedom. Files brief in landmark case on hazardous chemicals and reproductive health (UAW v. Johnson Controls).

1990: Conferences on video display terminals; Maquiladoras and Immigration; Women in Non-traditional Jobs. Expands Reproductive Rights Project. Publishes Women and Children First: An Analysis of Trends in Federal Tax Policy.

1991: Sixth Biennial National Convention: "Decade of Empowerment - Union Women on the Move." Conferences on Women and Retirement; Women's Health; Fighting "isms." CLUW participates in Solidarity Day II. Publishes Bargaining for Family Benefits: A Union Member's Guide and Is Your Job Making You Sick?: A CLUW Handbook on Health and Safety.

1992: National conferences held on Sexual Harassment; Organizing the Unorganized; Communicating With the Media; Political Action, Recruitment and Communications; and Women and Economic Empowerment. Hundreds of CLUW activists participate in March for Women's Lives.

1993: Seventh Biennial National Convention: "CLUW: The Future ... Challenge, Change and Choice." Joyce D. Miller steps down as CLUW president to serve as Executive Director of Glass Ceiling Commission; Gloria T. Johnson elected CLUW president and AFL-CIO Executive Council vice president. Conferences on Breaking the Glass Ceiling; joint Women's Conference on National Health Care. Participates in National Conference on Women and Children. Charters chapters in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Moves CLUW convention from Denver to protest Colorado's anti-gay referendum. Publishes Union Women Speak Out on Health Care Issues Including Abortion; Women Care About Health; Family Medical Leave Act Resource Guide; and sexual harassment materials.

1994: CLUW celebrates 20th anniversary. Conferences on Strategic Planning for CLUW; National Health Care Reform; and Women in the Global Economy. Conducts CLUW membership survey. Participates in DOL Women's Bureau "Working Women Count" survey. Testifies before Dunlop Commission on labor law reform. Protests NAFTA, GATT and sweatshops ("Come Shop With Me Campaign"). Publishes Shaping the Agenda: Women and Unions Moving Towards the 21st Century (update of Absent From the Agenda).

1995: Eighth Biennial National Convention: "Union Women: Power, Politics, Participation." Conferences on Surviving and Thriving as a Labor Union Woman: 1995 and Beyond; Women and HIV/AIDS; Young Women Workers: Solidarity Across the Generations; joint conferences on Campaign Skills Building; Workplace 2000: Women's Rights, Workers' Rights; and Strengthening Women's Voices in the Workplace. Participates in March for Women's Lives; 75th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment march/rally; affirmative action rally. Sponsors affirmative action "call-in day," and "write-in" to the U.N. protesting human rights violations in China. Publishes Affirmative Action: Dispelling the Myths.

1996: Conferences on Voter Education and Participation; Organizing and Political Action; and Union Women for Political Empowerment: '96 Get Out the Vote. Joint conference on Full Participation. Other joint campaigns/activities: Come Shop With Me; Stop Sweatshops!; Child Labor Coalition initiative; March to Fight the Right; Stand for Children Rally; America Needs a Raise Town Hall meetings/Labor '96 events; National AIDS Quilt Display; Women's Vote Project: Operation Big Vote; and DOL Women's Bureau 75th Anniversary. Survey/report on Mid-life and Older Union Women Talking About Health Care. President Johnson appointed to head AFL-CIO Standing Committee on Women's Issues. Publishes CLUW Leadership Directory.

1997: Ninth Biennial National Convention: "Women: Labor's Future," features Women's Health Fair and Young Women Workers Forum. Conferences on Building the Labor Movement Through CLUW Chapter Actions; Unionizing Technology; and jointly, HIV/AIDS. Events/campaigns: Strawberry Workers march/rally/boycott; UPS strike; CLUW Back-to-School Teamsters Project. Participates in "Ask a Working Woman" survey and conferences.

1998: Conferences on Developing Strategies for implementing CLUW's Goals; Working to End Violence Against Women: Union Strategies for Action; Taking Charge of Our Health; and Common Sense Economics for Working Families. Participates in AFL-CIO's Full Participation Conference; the 150th anniversary of the first women's rights conference in Seneca Falls, N.Y.; Equal Pay Day; and Union Women Vote '98. Gave 10 CLUW Labor Education Scholarships to members pursuing labor studies. Launched national recruitment campaign: "2000 New Members by 2000."

1999: Celebration of CLUW's 25th anniversary at the Tenth Biennial National Convention in Chicago, IL where CLUW was born. Convention theme: "We Didn't Come Here to Swap Recipes - Not Then, 1974 - not now, 1999." Conferences on Saving Social Security: Union Women's Tools for Action; and The Power of the Union Card. Published Sharing Our Stories: Voices at Work, a compilation of stories from 54 CLUW activists about their union experiences.

2000: Launched Election 2000 Project focusing on mobilizing women to register to vote, communicate on political issues, and participate in election activities. Political Action Conferences included Working Together For Change, held in conjunction with the Working Women's Department Conference of the AFL-CIO; and Women Count: If You Don't Vote You Won't; and A Woman's Vote = A Family Win! Participated with women's groups from 157 countries in International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Joined the Jubilee 2000 mobilization to support debt cancellation for developing countries. Participates in the U.S./African Trade Union Summit on HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC. President Gloria Johnson called on world leaders to help celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Platform for Action created at the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Gave six CLUW Labor Education Scholarships to members pursuing Labor Studies.

2001: Eleventh Biennial National Convention: "Designing Our Own Future" held in Las Vegas in October. Held conferences on CLUW and the Family; Bargaining for Working Families; and Lobbying for Prosperity. Co-hosted Union Leadership Conference on Domestic Violence Training, with Family Violence Prevention Fund. Launched "BushWhacks," a series monitoring George Bush's anti-worker, anti-women policies and actions. Joined the "Fair Taxes for All" campaign calling for rejection of the Bush tax cut proposal. Participated in NOW's Emergency Action for Women's Lives. Initiated campaign for inclusion of contraceptives in union negotiated health care plans. Received $225,000 Centers for Disease Control grant for Labor Leader Initiative on HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program. Hosted forums for union women leaders from Scotland and Indonesia.

2002: NEB adopts a multi-year strategic plan aimed at getting more union women involved in organizing and political action. CLUW pledges support and action for the UFCW’s Justice for Wal-Mart Workers campaign and UNITE’s Behind the Label anti-sweatshop initiative. CLUW’s 10-point political action plan for the 2002 elections mobilizes hundreds of activists to staff phone banks and get out the vote. CLUW representatives participate in Code Pink and other demonstrations to avert the U.S. war on Iraq; National Executive Board adopts resolution condemning unilateral U.S. military action. CLUW’s Contraceptive Equity Project continues to advocate for all union-negotiated health plans to include contraceptive coverage. Receives $250,000 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention renewal grant for a Labor Leader Initiative on HIV/AIDS Awareness Program. Establishes a Project Advisory Committee and a Labor Leadership Forum staffed with reps from the AFL-CIO and NEA. Holds forum for young women workers, featuring NOW President Kim Gandy, among others. Conferences included Mobilizing and Organizing; and Political Action. Participates in nationwide "Wal-Mart Day of Action" in November.

2003: CLUW holds 12th Biennial Convention in Seattle, Washington, with the theme: "Vision, Voices, Votes: Building the Labor Movement." Works with other constituency groups to formulate a joint political action plan for the 2004 elections, and begins efforts to seek funding. Works with the AFL-CIO and other groups on the Immigrant Workers’ Freedom Ride; America’s Choices Forum; and opposition to the Free Trade Area of the Americas campaign. Receives $250,000 CDC grant in partnership with Academy for Educational Development for "Working Women ROCC (Reach Out on Cervical Cancer)," an education effort among union women to bring greater awareness about cervical cancer prevention. Conferences include Women in the Global Economy; and Educating to Fight for Economic Security.

2004: CLUW hosts in New Orleans the first of approximately 25 town hall meetings to be held from the spring until Election Day. Sponsored by the Labor Coalition for Community Action (LCCA), the town hall meetings give voters a chance to sound off on the issues they care most about. In addition to CLUW, the other LCCA organizations include A. Philip Randolph Institute, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and Pride at Work. CLUW is active and was co-sponsor of the March for Women’s Lives which calls for guaranteeing women access to family planning, health care, abortion and reproductive health. CLUW celebrates its 30th anniversary at Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington DC. CLUW kicks off its "Count to 5" Campaign which mobilizes CLUW members to sign up at least 5 women who promise to vote for candidates who support issues of importance to working women in the general election. CLUW works with the Voices for Working Families’ Women’s Voices project to register voters, to share information about issues that affect women’s lives and to provide opportunities to raise a unified voice for women’s priorities. At the August NEB in New Mexico Gloria T. Johnson steps down as CLUW president and Susan L. Phillips (UFCW) assumes the presidency. Conferences include Working Women in 2004 and Women Voices for Change. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) renews CLUW’s HIV/AIDS cooperative agreement to continue to conduct education and prevention activities in AFL-CIO unions and affiliates under the umbrella of the Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS Program (BRTA-LRTA). Working Women ROCC (Reaching Out against Cervical Cancer) begins with focus groups, a website and distributing information regarding the fact that this cancer is preventable and if found early curable. In October, the project partners with union rock musician and cervical cancer survivor Christine Baze in her 2004 Yellow Umbrella Tour, which featured concerts promoting cervical cancer awareness in cities across the U.S.

2005: CLUW’s Contraceptive Equity Project scores a number of victories, including the passage of state mandates in Arkansas and West Virginia. CLUW starts its own cervical cancer prevention project, Cervical Cancer Prevention Works, which works in close partnership with Women in Government and the Balm in Gilead. The CLUW HIV/AIDS cooperative agreement completes its funding cycle of April 1, 2001-March 31, 2005. CDC announces that it will conduct an extensive assessment of the BRTA/LRTA Program with no guarantees that its funding will be renewed. CLUW’s e-Activist network which provides e-mail alerts about issues important to union women has about 1,300 subscribers. CLUW NEB programs include Analyzing the New Political Landscape and Building CLUW Membership: The Role of the NEB. CLUW supports the Wake-Up Wal-Mart campaign to bring public attention to the anti-worker, anti-union practices of the nation’s largest private-sector employer. In July Susan L. Phillips resigns as CLUW President and Marsha Zakowski (USW) becomes Acting President. CLUW participates in the Diversity Summit in conjunction with the AFL-CIO Convention. On August 26 (Women’s Equality Day) CLUW members lobby on their home turf to support the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act and join in the national campaign on Human Rights Day in December. CLUW holds the 13th Biennial Convention in Detroit, Michigan, with the theme “Union Women: Building the Movement.” Convention Conference focuses on the affect the global economy has on women here and abroad. Convention reception honors past president Gloria Johnson. Marsha Zakowski (USW) was elected president.

2006: CLUW launches campaign to protect and extend Family Leave. CLUW Conferences include Leadership Development and “Gotta CLUW: New Generation of Activists” which focuses on new ways to recruit more women -- especially younger workers -- into struggles for workplace issues. CLUW participates in the July Week of Action demanding that the NLRB do its job and protect workers’ rights. CLUW joins with the Sister Study to help locate women whose sisters have had breast cancers in an effort to find the causes of this disease. During the 2006 elections CLUW members get out the vote and educate our members about issues of importance to working women. We participate in the AFL-CIO Voter Protection Program and in the all-women voter mobilization “Stir the Pot” events. Our conference “Framing the Debate” prepares our members to emphasize working family issues in the elections and learn how to combat the conservative agenda. CLUW’s Contraceptive Equity Project scores a major victory when the largely male Masters, Mates and Pilots Union adds contraceptive coverage for its 6,800 member and spouses. Its Cervical Cancer Prevention Works project works closely with CLUW chapters and unions in CA to successfully secure HPV test coverage there.

2007: CLUW Conferences address “Organizing to Win” and “Run for Office? Sure You Can! Union Women and Politics: The Voice of Power.” CLUW celebrates the reintroduction of the Women and Equality Amendment. CLUW participates in the Voices of Iraqi Workers Solidarity Tour which gives opportunity to dialogue directly with Iraqi workers and labor leaders. CLUW participates in AFL-CIO regional diversity dialogues to discuss full participation and inclusion for all members in the labor movement. CLUW continues to push for contraceptive equity. Cervical Cancer Prevention Works continues to use CLUW and labor communications and education channels to make certain that union women have the necessary information so that they will not contract this disease. 14th Biennial Convention takes place in October in Las Vegas with the theme “A New Direction for Working Women.” Convention workshops cover “Policy and Politics: The CLUW to Reality, Issues and Action!” and include subjects such as Labor and LGBT Equality, 2008 Political Party Conventions: Be a Delegate and Voice for Labor, and Self-Defense Inside and Outside the Home. The convention emphasizes that union women can make the key difference in the 2008 elections if they assume leadership in their unions and mobilize around issues important to working families. A panel addresses “Diversity in the Labor Movement-Dialogue and Action”. Delegates set policy thru support of 18 resolutions calling for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, emphasizing the need to make health care issues a cornerstone of CLUW’s work, calling on complete withdrawal of all American troops and private contractors from Iraq, calling on more women and people of color in union leadership and support of USW’s “Protect our Kids-Stop Toxic Imports” campaign to name a few.

CLUW chapters participate in the AFL-CIO’s Women’s Voices Women’s Vote campaign by sending postcards to women urging them to vote.

2008: CLUW focuses on election issues and education thru conferences on “Out the Gate in 2008” concentrating on political activist training and “National Health Care and Paycheck Fairness: It’s About Time” which includes a rally to end pay discrimination in front of the Federal Building in Cleveland and features special presenter Lilly Ledbetter. The last conference of the year “CLUW GOTV Activity and Working Women’s Vote 2008” includes perspectives from the Younger Women’s Task Force of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, Planned Parenthood, Jobs with Justice, League of Women Voters and Missouri Women in the Trades. CLUW National Executive Board meetings take place in battleground states and include labor walks in Ohio and Missouri.

CLUW kicks off its GOTV campaign: “2008 Count to 5! Your Vote Counts” by talking to women about the issues and urging 5 voters supportive of working women’s issues to vote. CLUW participates in voter protection activities thru the AFL-CIO “My Vote, My Right” project. The Labor Coalition for Community Action (composed of all the AFL-CIO constituency groups) convenes Town Hall meetings on nonpartisan election issues in strategic locations throughout the country.

CLUW serves as the leading organization during the Equal Pay Day observance with a press conference on April 23rd on Capitol Hill urging the Senate vote in support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. We actively support the Million- Member Mobilization for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act and the health care reform campaign.

We participate in the “Walk to Beat the Clock! Help End Cervical Cancer” activity. The DVD “Say Something” is introduced as an educational tool on cervical cancer prevention.

2009: Central Florida and New Hampshire (Sisters of Solidarity) chapters are chartered and Kansas City and Cleveland CLUW chapters are revitalized.

“Change! A New Day for CLUW and Union Women” conference focuses on sharing experiences by CLUW chapter and state leaders on how to energize CLUW at the chapter level. “The Economic Recovery and Its Impact on Women” is the subject of our conference in Detroit in June and includes presentations on the Blue Green Alliance, Heath Care Reform, The Family and Medical Leave Act and Workplace Leave Policies and the Economy and its Impact on Michigan Workers.

We campaign for the Employee Free Choice Act thru creating and distributing leaflets specific to the impact on women, participate on radio talk shows and panels and create a CLUW song and video to the tune of Stars and Stripes Forever.

We applaud the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

We participate in the “Power in Diversity” Conference as part of the AFL-CIO Convention supporting “A Diverse Movement Calls for Diverse Leadership” resolution.

We participate in the Pearl of Wisdom campaign to educate our members about cervical cancer prevention.

15th Biennial Convention takes place in Los Angeles in October with the theme “The Rising Tide of Change”. Karen J. See (APWU) is elected president. Through constitutional amendment, four additional seats are added to the National Officers Council specifically for representation from previously non-represented unions. The convention mandates thru resolution a “Committee on the Future of CLUW” to analyze and recommend organizational changes. Other resolutions call on CLUW to renew its commitment to ensure that women have safe, legal, accessible health services including preventive care and all reproductive health services, call on CLUW to join efforts to advocate for universal single payer health care coverage and demand that a strong public option be included in any health plan considered by Congress, call on CLUW to join the Triangle Fire Remembrance Coalition commemorating a defining moment in Women’s and Labor History, call for fair trade laws that raise living standards and human rights, call on the ratification of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) and call to support an exit strategy from Afghanistan. Also support commemoration of Dred and Harriet Scott who filed suit to obtain freedom for their family in 1846 but were denied by the Supreme Court that determined that those of African race were not to be afforded the rights so afforded to the white race thru the Constitution. First Gloria T. Johnson Women in Union Leadership Scholarship awarded.

2010: Three Leadership Academies take place in Washington, DC, Ft. Worth, Texas and Reno, NV in conjunction with NEB meetings. Subjects cover: Leadership Styles for New Union Women, How to Put Your CLUW Chapter on the Map, Building a Public Message, Recruiting and Mentoring the Next Generation of Labor Women, Robert’s Rules of Order, Planning and Decision Making in Your Chapter, Immigration Reform, Jobs and the Economy, Getting out the Vote in 2010, How to Create Fun and Effective Meetings, The Health Reform Law and its Impact on Women, The Family Friendly Workplace: How Unions Win It, What Unions Can Do So the Next Generation of Union Activists Become Leaders and Strategies to Address the Distortions in the Movie (“Don’t Wait for Superman”) and to Push for Balanced Education Reform.

Congresswoman Edie Bernice Johnson addresses the group in Ft. Worth. Delegates vote to condemn Arizona’s SB 1070 which codifies racial profiling by mandating police officers to stop anyone they have “reasonable suspicion” to believe is not authorized to be in the US. Support green schools resolution. In Nevada Sen. Nina Turner (OH) and Assemblywoman Debbie Smith (NV) speak to the delegates.

Hold our first Working Women’s Award Celebration in March where we honor some of the working women who have made a difference through their service to working families. Hold a lobby day on Capitol Hill focusing on the Paycheck Fairness Act, Healthy Families Act and Health Reform.

Add 5 new chapters: Northern VA, Milehigh (Denver), Northwest OH, Central CA and Kate Mullany (Albany, NY) Partner with the Women’s Campaign Forum, She Should Run program to encourage more women to run for office and to seek political appointments. Mobilize our members to take part in One Nation Rally in DC. We support efforts to organize airline employees at Northwest and Delta and efforts to represent Transportation Security Administration employees. We participate in the “Strengthen Social Security--Don’t Cut It” coalition. Support the Women & Workforce Investment for Nontraditional Jobs Act. Equal Pay Day focuses on passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act (that would ensure remedies for wage discrimination and make it easier to sue on behalf of groups of women) but the bill was killed in November by a minority of senators who prevented it from coming to the floor for a vote. Support passage of CEDAW in the Senate (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women).

CLUW NEWS publication is reinstituted.

Active in Health Care Reform Campaign, working with women’s groups in lobbying against restrictive anti-choice measures.

CLUW partners in the Pearl of Wisdom campaign that serves to heighten cervical cancer awareness and prevention in the labor community.

CLUW membership mobilizes to get out the vote.

2011: February Leadership Development Academy was held in Atlanta, Georgia and included a large contribution by local activists and experts speaking on their various campaigns such as “Clean Up Sodexo”, Tipped Workers Organize to Raise Their Wages, and the Fair Eats campaign.

The Berger-Marks Foundation awards grants to three CLUW Chapters: Philadelphia, Detroit and Denver (Milehigh). Each received monetary awards “to fund projects and expenses that promote and/or mentor young women activists and trade unionists.”

CLUW pushed for passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act when it was reintroduced in Congress on April 12th as part of the Paycheck Fairness Coalition. Other legislation which were priorities in 2011 included: American Jobs Act, U.S. Postal Service Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act, Healthy Families Act (paid sick days) and single payer health care (Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act) to name a few.

Joined POPVOX (an online advocacy tool for federal legislation) and have bills posted there that CLUW has endorsed and opposed. Please see: https://www.popvox.com/stakeholders/cluw

Northwest NY (Buffalo) Chapter was chartered.

Almost 400 CLUW members came to Orlando, FL in September to participate in the CLUW 16th Biennial Convention. Convention Delegates were inspired by the speeches of progressive leaders such as Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization for Women, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker, President of the American Postal Workers Union Cliff Guffey, and Ohio State Senator Nina Turner among many others.

2012: CLUW celebrated the achievements of women in labor, politics and the community through our Working Women’s Award Celebration held March 8th. Also sponsoring a Lobby Day in Washington, DC on the same day with a briefing held on Capitol Hill, providing information on the Healthy Families Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act, Postal Reform and the WAGES Act.

On March 10th sponsored a conference “The Working Women’s Vote: Making the Difference!!” in conjunction with National Executive Board meeting held in National Harbor, MD.

In July, launched the WHY WE VOTE campaign to spotlight why it’s essential that union women vote through video messages posted to CLUW’s blog.

Coordinated the distribution of 12,000 phone contacts (provided by the AFL-CIO) in 12 locations throughout the country and chapter members and our allies made phone call outreach to get out the vote and educate union women about voter suppression.

CLUW held a three day skills-building conference for emerging leaders, public speaking, and community engagement, over November 9-11th in Kansas City, MO that drew 180 activists from the United States and Canada. 10 young women union members got scholarships to participate thanks to a grant from the Berger-Marks Foundation.

2013: The 17th CLUW Biennial Convention, “CLUW: Moving the Working Women’s Agenda Forward!” is held in November in Reno, NV. Five hundred delegates and observers from twenty nine states and Canada engaged in four days of education and activism. Twenty three workshops were offered covering a variety of topics including; Organizing for Healthcare Justice, The Next Generation: Mentoring Future Union Leaders, Social Media 201,Voter Suppression and Getting out the Vote, and Standing Up to Change Wal-Mart to name a few. Connie Leak is elected as CLUW’s seventh president.

State elections for the new State Presidents and Vice-Presidents are held.

2014: On March 27, 2014, more than 400 union members and other working women convened in Chicago to celebrate 40 years since CLUW’s inception in 1974. A leadership education conference began the same day which offered tracks of six hours each in Public Speaking, Leadership, Community Partnership/Engagement, Political and Legislative Action. The celebration provided an opportunity and venue to educate and empower activists – especially young union women activists – so that they could carry on the organization’s mission. CLUW secured a grant from the Berger-Marks Foundation to provide 10 scholarships to union women under the age of 35 to attend all the 40th anniversary events, including the conference. Photo Gallery: 40th Anniversary Celebration.

Labor’s International Hall of Fame 2014 Induction Ceremony posthumously honored founding member of CLUW, Susan Holleran (1941-2007).

A CLUW delegation attended the White House Summit on Working Families on June 23. The summit convened to start an important conversation about issues affecting working families like accessing good jobs, raising the minimum wage, creating flexible schedules, securing paid family leave, providing quality affordable child care. President Obama gave the Summit keynote.

CLUW members participate in Black Friday actions throughout the country in support of OUR Walmart’s mission for Walmart associates to be fully respected and compensated fairly. Photos at 2014 CLUW Black Friday Events.

2015: CLUW became a co-sponsor of the Spread the Word campaign, an awareness campaign that focuses on raising women’s awareness of the symptoms of coronary artery disease, the #1 killer of women in the United States.

CLUW hosts MLK Jr. Conference workshop “Job Openings: Recruiting and Supporting Women for Leadership Positions” on January 17th in Atlanta. CLUW President Connie Leak serves as moderator.

Members participated in the AFL-CIO Third "Next Up" Young Workers' Summit.

Held roundtable at 2015 'Women Building the Nation' Conference which 1,000+ union women who work in construction in the U.S. and Canada came together for in May.

On April 9th an NEB meeting was held in Jacksonville, Florida in which three new charters were granted to the North East PA (NEPA), Rochester – Finger Lakes and Rhode Island chapters.

CLUW plays a key role at National Council of Women's Organizations (progressive non-profits) “New Faces, More Voices” intern workshop series, attended by 50 college students interning in D.C., by facilitating a workshop on “Women in the Labor Movement” and leading exercises and quizzes.

CLUW welcomed 500 delegates and observers to its 18th Biennial Convention in Sacramento, CA with the convention slogan “Women… Right Now! Right Time!” on November 19-21st. The 2016 election cycle topic took center stage.

CLUW accepts the Kate Mullany medal, named for an early female union advocate, for its activism.

2016: Celebrates Black Herstory Month/Black Future Month in February with website articles noting influential Black women in labor history and interviewing two incredible Black women: Diane Babineaux & Caniesha Seldon, making a difference through CLUW leadership and activism.

Lilly Ledbetter, namesake for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, shared her story with CLUW delegates and guests at the 2016 CLUW’s Biennial Working Women's Award Celebration in which more than 200 people gathered on April 7th. Click here to capture the essence of her speech.

CLUW Conference held on April 8th with agenda focusing on the issues most pertinent to women during the 2016 election, like attacks on women’s health, the role of the courts, and breaking down barriers between us.

CLUW offers scholarships to members to attend United Association for Labor Education (UALE) women's summer schools for second year in a row.

At least 30 CLUW members came to Washington, DC to participate in the United State of Women Summit on June 14th, sponsored by The White House which brought together 5,000 attendees to celebrate victories and acknowledge battles not yet won to achieve equality for women and girls.

Hosts National Executive Board Meeting and Women’s Leadership Skills Conference in November at the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel only days after the 2016 election. 120 CLUW activists planned, strategized and mobilized for the year ahead. Two new chapters received charters at the meeting, CLUW of Orange County chapter and Delaware-Chester Counties CLUW Chapter.

2017: CLUW members kicked off the year by joining millions at the Women’s March on Washington and sister marches across the states on Jan 20th. At the nation’s capital CLUW Members wore red CLUW hats as they joined the Union Women’s Meet–Up and distributed posters, hats, buttons and recruitment brochures before marching towards the White House with the strong union women crowd.

On March 16th CLUW members from throughout the country participated in a Capitol Hill Lobby Day visiting with US Representatives, Senators and Legislative Staff to let them know what was needed for working women and families. A busload left the Tommy Douglas Conference Center in Silver Spring, MD (where the NEB meeting was scheduled the following day) and greeted local members at the Briefing Session (Lobby Day Flier) which took place at the Capitol Visitor Center.

On March 17th at the opening of the NEB meeting President Connie Leak outlined some of the challenges we were facing under the GOP/Trump Administration. Congressman Jamie Raskin also spoke to the crowd of NEB members (his complete remarks here).

CLUW holds its 19th Biennial Convention in Detroit, Michigan from Sept. 6-9 with the theme “Women Taking it to The Streets”. On the first official day of the convention CLUW members joined forces with the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) United to rally for workers’ rights by supporting the One Fair Wage campaign. The convention is attended by almost 500 participants who rallied, listened to diverse speakers, attended workshops and debated 40 resolutions and 14 constitutional amendments that set an aggressive agenda for labor union women. CLUW came out of the experience with a combination of new and veteran leaders and Elise Bryant (CWA) was elected as CLUW’s eighth National President.

CLUW increases participation in online activism by engaging Twitterstorms throughout the year and upping the use of our E-activist email network to inform members of timely actions in which they can engage.

In December a National Officers Council meeting was held to bring together the newly elected and re-elected members of the council for a weekend of planning and agenda setting. Began with CLUW’s first Educational Labor Leader “Women’s Issues” Breakfast “ in which council members and representatives from each of their unions were brought together to discuss upcoming events, share recommendations, and gather information to set the 2018 agenda.

2018: CLUW participated in the 2nd year of the Women’s March in cities from Los Angeles, to Louisville, to Philadelphia and more. At the Rally in DC CLUW President Elise Bryant represented union women as an official guest speaker. Click here to listen to the full speech.

On March 23 CLUW lost founding member, Carolyn J. Jacobson, who served as a project consultant and special assistant to the CLUW President for 15 years.

From April 30th to May 2nd CLUW held a Women’s Leadership Skills Conference in Silver Spring, MD which included plenary sessions, effective leadership training sessions, and elective workshops. The conference was held in conjunction with a NEB meeting, where Chesapeake Bay (MD) chapter received its charter, and Working Women’s Award Celebration. CLUW concluded with a ‘Young Sister’s Not Afraid of Power’ rally on May 4th organized by the CLUW Young Workers Caucus (Read more here).

On June 30th, CLUW members participated in the #FamiliesBelongTogether mass day of action against family separation at the border. President Elise Bryant spoke at a labor rally organized by Labor Coalition for Community Action (LCCA) before the main National #FamiliesBelongTogether event.

Throughout the year CLUW spoke out about workplace sexual harassment as part of the #MeToo movement. CLUW stood against the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanagh for his anti-women and anti-labor positions and in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford who told her story of sexual violence at Kavanaugh’s hands. CLUW members participated in online actions across the country and in DC CLUW President Elise Bryant and member Laura Payne (UA) joined other working women’s advocates in a rally on August 22nd in front of the Supreme Court against his appointment (read more here).

CLUW engaged in various GOTV projects and outreach leading up to the 2018 midterm elections, including partnered with the AFL-CIO on a woman to woman non-partisan GOTV postcard campaign where CLUW members addressed postcards to union women voters in key states. Read here for more about the unique ways individual chapters got involved.

In November, CLUW held a skill-building conference in Phoenix, Arizona with comprehensive workshops an NEB where the Grand Prairie/Arlington Texas chapter was granted their charter.

2019: CLUW celebrated Women’s History Month by co-sponsoring multi-media women's labor history project “We Were There” written by Bev Grant and performed by her and a cast of women leaders and activists from the DC area playing important leaders from women’s history.

In April CLUW held a Lobby Day on Capitol Hill with 45 CLUW members from 11 states targeting the following legislative priorities that had recently been introduced in Congress: the Medicare for All Act of 2019, the Paycheck Fairness Act and the FAMILY Act. At the April NEB the York/Adams White Rose (PA) chapter was chartered.

CLUW provided four $500.00 scholarship to CLUW members to attend the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) Women’s Schools to grow their skills as labor leaders. Read more about their experience here.

CLUW held 20th Biennial convention in October in Las Vegas, NV with around 440 attendees. Intensive workshops on topics from ‘Women’s Rule of Order’ to ‘The Impact of Race, Class and Gender Bias’ to ‘Healthy Lives/Healthy Sisters’ were well received. Plenary sessions included dynamic keynote speakers Dolores Huerta, Liz Schuler, and Sara Nelson, Linda Chavez-Thompson as well as vibrant panels on young women activists, teacher strikes, and women’s voting power. Click here for a short video of attendees describing their experience.