The NC State AFL-CIO is the North Carolina affiliate of the AFL-CIO. ^[1] It represents the interests of North Carolina unions and promotes left-of-center policies on a variety of topics, including critical race theory-aligned racial policy and LGBT interests. ^{[2] [3]}

Background and Activities

The NC State AFL-CIO was founded in 1957, ^[4] two years after the 1955 merger of its national counterpart. ^[5] North Carolina has been a right to work state since before the NC State AFL-CIO was formed, meaning workers cannot be compelled to pay union fees as a condition of employment in the state. ^[6]

The NC State AFL-CIO membership includes eight Central Labor Councils that work in a particular geographic area within the state. ^[7] The organization supports labor strikes in North Carolina, as well as progressive policy priorities such as a $15 minimum wage. ^[8] It frequently attacks North Carolina Republican officials while endorsing Democratic candidates in North Carolina, including judicial candidates. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

The organization’s 2020 Annual Report claimed credit for the re-election of Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and other statewide progressive officials and for flipping of two congressional seats from Republican to Democratic after court-ordered redistricting altered the districts’ boundaries. ^[12]

The NC State AFL-CIO is led by MaryBe McMillan, a veteran North Carolina labor union operative. ^[13]

Funding

In 2019, the NC State AFL-CIO received $848,396 in revenue, of which nearly 80 percent was from program service revenue. ^[14] It spent $31,903 on political campaign activity in 2019. ^[15]