CLU’s coalitions are at the center of our work. Each coalition is anchored by union and community partners who have a real stake in our shared needs.
Our coalitions build power for each member organization and allow us to win bigger victories for working people.
Together, we defend and build good jobs and careers for workers; collaborate to fight threats to our neighborhoods and environment; and protect the public good from corporate greed and more.
In solidarity, we win!
Green Justice Coalition
Since 2008, CLU’s Green Justice Coalition (GJC) has fought for the triple win of good jobs, environmental justice, and equity.
GJC unites base-building organizations in communities of color with unions in the building trades, transportation, and other sectors.
Together, we stand against low-road corporate exploitation and fight to increase resources for the public good and secure a good livelihood for all.
Care That Works
Every family deserves nurturing and accessible child care. This means child care providers and caregivers, especially Black and brown women, must have fair wages and the resources to provide the care our children need.
Within this campaign, we reimagine, realign, and grow our care ecosystem as a public good through strategic pilots, research, and organizing. Families and providers have the answers to how to change our system for the better.
Care That Works unites unionized child care providers and working families to fight for equitable and accessible child care that nurtures children and builds prosperity for our communities.
New and Emerging Programs and Campaigns
Young Workers’ Rights
The Young Workers’ Rights program aims to engage low-income young people of color in environmental justice communities, aged 16-26, helping them see themselves as part of the broader response to climate change.
This innovative model includes four interrelated components:
- Workplace rights education. Boston high school students will be required to undergo a “Know Your Rights in the Workplace” training, which provides a foundational understanding of the history of the labor movement, trades and apprenticeship programs, and their rights as young workers. CLU is also developing a trades apprenticeship application for first-generation and BIPOC applicants.
- Environmental justice education. Training on environmental issues and advocacy for sustainable policies and worker rights in the green economy.
- Career pathways. Career awareness and access to employer networks that offer high-road green jobs in climate-critical sectors.
- Leadership development. Opportunities that foster civic engagement among youth in shaping environmental and economic justice in their communities.
Equitable Pathways for Work Program (coming soon)
This program will build a pipeline for communities of color, women, and workers new to unions and the trades, looking to enter climate-critical careers.
This program will help participants understand the requirements, deadlines, and application processes for the union building trades and will provide support as they navigate each step.
This is NOT a pre-apprentice program. Building Pathways leads the way in preparing individuals for the union trades through pre-apprenticeship training. While many individuals benefit from attending a pre-apprenticeship program before applying, others may be ready to apply directly to a trade.
This project will support those individuals. Working with our nonprofit partners, we will recruit community members interested in these career opportunities and provide one-on-one guidance throughout the apprenticeship application process. This will include sharing information on program-specific requirements and application steps so they can build strong, competitive applications.
CLU will also help participants understand the job experience and background that will help strengthen their applications.
CLU’s Strategy Table
Community Labor United’s Strategy Table provides a dedicated space where labor and community-based organizations meet quarterly to share campaign updates, provide feedback, and identify key opportunities for alignment and future collaboration. Each table will begin with updates on current campaigns, best practices, challenges, and actionable items.
The Strategy Table grapples with pressing societal issues — including climate, jobs, energy democracy, public transit, corporate accountability, immigration, and housing — while focusing specifically on the intersectionality of race, class, and gender.
We believe this collaborative environment is essential for building trust and driving meaningful change across our shared priorities.
