Not every union affiliated with the AFL-CIO is a formal member. There is a system where a Directly Affiliated Local Union (DALU) belongs to the AFL-CIO but is not a national union and is not entitled to the same rights as regular national affiliates.
Taking advantage of this program, the AFL-CIO set up the Solidarity Charter program in the months following the 2005 breakaway of several national unions from the AFL-CIO. The Solidarity Charter program enables local unions of the nationally disaffiliated unions (Carpenters, Laborers, SEIU, Teamsters, UNITE-HERE and United Food and Commercial Workers) to apply for a charter to be connected with the AFL-CIO at the state and local levels.
In announcing the extension of the program through 2008, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said, “Solidarity Charters enable the labor movement to remain united at the local level where everyone wanted to stick together. Local unions will be able to continue working together to advance the interests of working families in organizing campaigns, strikes, boycotts and political activities, and that’s a real plus for our movement.”
As of early 2008, more than 2,700 Solidarity Charters have been issued.
In order to participate in AFL-CIO state and local bodies, local unions for the disaffiliated unions must have Solidarity Charters issued by the national AFL-CIO. For more information see these instructions.
