The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) is a membership organization of women from various labor unions. The organization was founded in the 1970s to promote the feminist movement within organized labor and continues to promote “workplace affirmative action” policies along with other left-leaning gender policies in the United States. The organization is a closely aligned “endorsed organization” of the left-leaning labor federation AFL-CIO and consists of members from over 70 different labor unions. Most AFL-CIO unions are represented within the organization’s membership, and over 20 different AFL-CIO unions are represented among the leadership of the group. ¹

The president of the CLUW is Elise Bryant of the Labor Heritage Foundation. ^{2 3}

Background

The Coalition of Labor Union Women was formed in 1974 during the feminist movement in the United States. The group was founded as an effort to organize women within organized labor to promote feminism within the labor movement and to increase female membership in unions as well as the percentage of women in union leadership. The group also promotes union contracts, labor-friendly legislation, and enforcement efforts. ^{4 5}

In the early days of the organization the CLUW, along with the AFL-CIO, endorsed passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. The group also organized a National Women’s Health Conference, and a Conference on Pay and Equity in the 1970s in addition to hosting a biennial national convention. In 1980, then-CLUW president Joyce Miller became the first woman elected to AFL-CIO executive council. ^{6 7}

Throughout its history the organization closely worked with the AFL-CIO to publish materials supportive of its preferred left-leaning pro-union policies and has consistently opposed tax cuts proposed by the Republican Bush and Trump administrations. ⁸

The group also participated in and helped organize multiple Women’s March events in opposition to the Trump administration and promoted get-out-the-vote efforts during the 2016 and 2020 elections. ⁹

Policy Stances

The Coalition of Labor Union Women promotes left-of-center pro-labor and gender-based issues. The organization has a long-stated goal of supporting “workplace affirmative action” policies. The group also supports left-of-center policies around equal pay for women, paid family leave, sexual harassment, abortion access, and child care. ¹⁰

Affiliated Groups and Labor Unions

The Coalition of Labor Union Women is an active participant and program host for the National Council of Women’s Organizations and hosts the group’s intern workshop series. The group has also partnered with the Labor Coalition for Community Action and Code Pink. ¹¹

The CLUW is also an endorsed organization and close affiliate of the AFL-CIO. The leadership of the union includes representatives from the International Union of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), United Steelworkers, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Transportation Workers Union (TWU), The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the American Federation of Government Employees, SAG-AFTRA, United Auto Workers, and Communications Workers of America. ¹²

1.  “About.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20CLUW
2. About.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20CLUW
3. “Officers and Staff.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/officers.cfm
4. Women’s Rights, Breaking the Gender Barrier: A Woman’s Place is in Her Union.”  University of Maryland University Libraries.  https://www.lib.umd.edu/unions/social/womens-rights
5. “About.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20CLUW
6. “Women’s Rights, Breaking the Gender Barrier: A Woman’s Place is in Her Union.”  University of Maryland University Libraries.  https://www.lib.umd.edu/unions/social/womens-rights
7. “About.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20CLUW
8. “About.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20CLUW
9. “About.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20CLUW
10. “Women’s Rights, Breaking the Gender Barrier: A Woman’s Place is in Her Union.”  University of Maryland University Libraries.  https://www.lib.umd.edu/unions/social/womens-rights
11. “About.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20CLUW
12. “Officers and Staff.” Coalition of Labor Union Women. Accessed March 27, 2022. http://www.cluw.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/officers.cfm