Links
Below are links to other sites that can provide information.
The home page for the National AFL-CIO provides trade unionists with a gateway to a host of information. You can connect to the Unions of the AFL-CIO to find out the latest information from your national union or local union. The site offers connection to state federations of labor to give information on state or local issues and actions for activists.
The AFL-CIO Organizing Institute is reaching out to a new generation through its redesigned website, Organizing Institute. Visitors to the site not only learn about the institute, but also can apply to train as a union organizer or have an OI recruiter come to their college campus. The site also features quotes from OI graduates about their organizing experiences and a description of the Union Summer program.
This site also informs you how long you would need to work to make as much as your CEO. At Executive Pay Watch you can find out what the CEOs of most companies (even yours) make.
Union fun for kids? Try these games at the AFL-CIO web site.
University of Iowa Labor Center
The Labor Center at the University of Iowa has been a resource to trade unionists in Iowa for more than 50 years. The Labor Center staff provides education for workers on-campus and off-campus. They provide a host of topics for workers to increase their abilities to represent the best interests of all working people.
Information from more than 100 Federal Government agencies is available from this one website. If you are looking for bargaining or other data, this site is a good 1st stop.
The Iowa Policy Project was created in 2000 to be a reliable, scientific source of information and data for Iowa policymakers. Their goal is to be the state's premier think tank anticipating and responding to the needs and questions of Iowa policymakers. They plan on focusing specifically in the areas of environment and economics.
The Economic Policy Institute is an economic think tank where the focus is on real-world analysis, grounded in a concern for the living standards of working people. Its staff and the network of university-based economists it works with present their research in language that's accessible to the general public, not just to other economists. EPI's website contains a wealth of information on trends in jobs and wages, the impact of trade, the future of Social Security, and much more.
Citizen's for Tax Justice (CTJ) is a respected source of information on tax issues. While both major parties may not agree on the policy perspective, both parties agree that this organization provides good data on taxes and may be one of the few organizations that has the modeling capabilities to determine the impact of proposed changes to the tax system.
CTJ's monthly newsletter provides updates on tax issues..
The Goods Jobs First website offers information on economic development policies.
The National Priorities Project (NPP) offers citizen and community groups tools and resources to shape federal budget and policy priorities which promote social and economic justice.
POLITICS
Our nation of nearly 300 million people is served by a variety of elected levels of government. While some extremists look at government as the root of all modern ills; the reality is, government is formed to respond to the legitimate needs of a modern society. As trade union members, we need to be involved in the political process -- from working to elect individuals who support working family issues to holding elected officials accountable. Citizenship in this country requires the involvement of an informed electorate.
On the state level, you can contact the governor or your legislators. If you don't know who your state legislator is, then find your legislator. You can and should contact your legislator on issues that are important to trade union members and working families across Iowa.
On a federal level, Iowa has 5 congressional seats and 2 senators. Many legislative actions are taken that impact the collective bargaining process. The range runs from trade and global issues to specific industry related bills. If you don't know your congressman you can find your U. S. Representative.
If you live in the 1st Congressional District, your representative is Bruce Braley.
If you live in the 2nd Congressional District, your representative is David Loebsack.
If you live in the 3rd Congressional District, your representative is Leonard Boswell.
If you live in the 4th Congressional District, your representative is Tom Latham.
If you live in the 5th Congressional District, your representative is Steve King.
All Iowans are represented by 2 U. S. Senators: Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley.
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