The San Mateo County Central Labor Council
Instagram: @sanmateolabor Facebook: @sanmateo.laborcouncil Twitter: @SanMateoLabor
The mission of the Labor Movement is to improve the lives of workers--- to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our nation. To accomplish this mission, as part of a national organization, we are working to build and change the American labor movement.
The San Mateo County Labor Council was created as the local body of the national AFL-CIO. We are a membership organization serving as an umbrella for the Labor Community in the County, consisting of 95 affiliated local unions and representing more than 80,000 union members and their families in the County.
With a seventeen-member elected Executive Board, and a decision-making body of approximately 300 delegates, the Central Labor Council sets policy for the local Labor community on issues that affect the lives of working people in the County. Our staff, officers and delegates serve on a myriad of community and county boards and commissions.
San Mateo County Central Labor Council involvement and activities include:
Political and Legislative Action and Advocacy – Implementing a program of political education and political/legislative action and advocacy that represents the interests of working people at the decision-making tables across all elected bodies. It also includes extensive grassroots political activity at the local, state, and national levels during electoral campaigns.
Economic Development in San Mateo County – Active participation on projects that promote economic and workforce development and the social well being of working families in San Mateo County, including: minimum wage and benefit standards for workers; expansion of affordable housing; access to healthcare; safety at work; supporting workers who are trying to improve conditions at their workplaces; and creating opportunities for workforce retraining and reemployment.
Union Organizing/Contract Support – Supporting unions that are helping workers exercise their right to organize a union in their place of employment. It is important for workers to have a voice at work, ensuring that there are good jobs, with livable wages, workplace fairness, and health and safety protections and benefits. Further, we assist unions as requested during negotiations with political outreach on their behalf, event support and support for striking workers via our community services program.
Community Services Program – Provide assistance to union members and their families in meeting the many personal challenges we face, including information and referral services and limited financial support. This is a Council program in cooperation with the United Way of the Bay Area.
Apprenticeship Readiness Program – Through our non-profit the San Mateo County Union Community Alliance (SMCUCA), we work with Local Apprenticeship Programs to offer the Trades Introduction Program (TIP). TIP is a certificated Apprenticeship-Readiness Training course that prepares trainees to enter a green construction career ladder through state certified joint apprenticeship training programs. The program lasts approximately 20 weeks, with classes twice a week from 6pm – 9pm. This program is free to participants.
TIP includes the following:
Certifications in CPR/First Aid
OSHA 10 card
Blueprint Reading & Technology
Tool Identification and Practical Application
Basic Construction Math
Roles of Building Trades Professionals
American Labor History
Job-site Attitudes and Behaviors
Green Construction
Construction Industry Awareness
Presentations from local trades unions
OPEIU 29 AFL-CIO 174