The number of women in positions traditionally held by men is increasing. What is the secret? Here’s one

The Coalition of Labor Union Women is America’s only national organization for union women. Formed in 1974, CLUW is a nonpartisan organization within the union movement.

The primary purpose of (CLUW) is to unify all union women in a strong organization to determine and seek remedies to our common problems and concerns and to develop action programs within the framework of the labor movement to effectively promote our objectives.

At its founding convention in Chicago, Illinois, CLUW adopted four core objectives: to empower women for greater participation at all levels in the labor movement; to organizing the unorganized; to promote affirmative action, social and economic justice in the workplace; and to increase the participation of women in the political and legislative processes.

These goals continue to be the cornerstone of CLUW’s activities as members speak out for equal pay, child and elder care benefits, job security, safe workplaces, affordable health care, contraceptive equity, and protection from sexual harassment and violence at work.

With members from more than 70 international and national unions across the U.S., CLUW has a strong network of 36 chapters throughout the nation. CLUW is endorsed by the AFL-CIO and its international and national unions. CLUW local chapters educate members, keep them up to date on a variety of issues of concern to working families, and provide a support network for women in unions.

CLUW’s National Office is located in Washington, DC and is directed by the National President. The National Staff consists of an Executive Director and a Labor/Women’s Rights Advocate.

Its governing body consists of a National Officers Council, composed of 22 women union leaders, and a National Executive Board (NEB) elected at CLUW’s Biennial Convention.

CLUW’s National President is Elise Bryant of the Labor Heritage Foundation.

Pictured above are a few of the Women IAM CLUW members who attended the 2023 Conference.

The National Officers Council is representative of members from a diverse cross-section of unions within the organization and meets regularly upon call of the president.

The National Executive Board (NEB) includes members of the National Officers Council, State Presidents, State Vice Presidents, Chapter Presidents, Union Delegates and Chapter Delegates. Union and chapter delegates are elected in proportion to their membership in CLUW. Board meetings are held at least three times within the 2-year period between conventions. Educational conferences are usually held the day preceding each NEB meeting.

The NEB maintains General Committees in the following areas:

Leadership Development, Minority Issues/Affirmative Action, Organizing the Unorganized, Legislative/Political Action, Young Women Workers/Recruitment, Media and New Technologies, Work and Family Issues, Mature Women Workers, Women in the Global Community, Women’s Health and Wellness, Women in Non-Traditional Jobs, and Education. Standing Committees, separate from General Committees, are the following: Finance, Elections, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Archives and History. Check out the HISTORY of the organization.

The Machinists Union also Creates the LEADS Program. Leading to more IAM women advancing into positions not filled with women in past years.