The Real News in the AFL-CIO’s Plan to Increase Membership

The AFL-CIO rolled out its strategy to increase union membership by 2 million workers in 5 years. Employers should pay attention.

First, coordinated strikes. The federation wants to “align bargaining demands and contract expirations” to amplify collective action “at the broadest possible level.” Translation: synchronized leverage across multiple employers at once.

Second, organizing around the NLRB entirely. One stated goal is to “enable workers to organize outside labor board processes” — creating “pathways around delays.” When labor decides the Board is too slow, it stops waiting for it.

Third, a political litmus test. No candidate gets labor’s support unless they back stronger collective bargaining rights. Money with strings attached.

Basically, this isn’t just a headcount target. It’s a more aggressive, more coordinated playbook. Looks similar to parts of the PRO Act and EFCA that never got enacted.

The coordinated strikes has me most concerned. Most non-union employers do not realize their workers can strike. They think only union workers can strike. Wrong. This means non-union companies are woefully underprepared for a strike.

How prepared are you for the 3 union organizing strategize the AFL-CIO is rolling out?