About the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO

The Hawkeye Labor Council is a coalition of unions. It is the official organization of the national AFL-CIO in East Central Iowa. The Hawkeye Labor Council represents 7 counties. The goals of the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO are social and economic justice. Achievement of strength of our affiliates by combining the talent, energy, activism and sense of justice of all of our affiliates, the Hawkeye Labor Council seeks to promote legislation that will enable the government to be responsive to the needs of working people and their families.

The Hawkeye Labor Council seeks to:

• Secure legislation which will protect and promote collective bargaining and all other rights of workers;
• Help workers and local unions to secure improved wages and working conditions;
• Encourage all unorganized workers to join unions;
• Promote the use of union-made goods and services;
• Conduct a sound and responsible public relations program;
• Encourage workers to register and vote in all elections;
• Unify and coordinate the efforts of AFL-CIO unions.

Our members are local unions, district councils and auxiliaries affiliated with International Unions belonging to the AFL-CIO.

A Powerful Voice in the Community

The Hawkeye labor Council is the voice of its membership at City Councils, Board of Supervisors and School Boards to ensure their actions benefit working families.

We are concerned with issues that affect unions, especially the right to organize and bargain collectively. We address the day to day issues that concern workers, including fair taxes, Workers’ Compensation, health care, unemployment compensation, education, consumer protection, social welfare and the environment.

A Powerful Force for Political Action

The Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO works to educate members politically, endorse candidates for local offices, and make recommendations for endorsement of state candidates. We also encourage workers to register, vote and exercise their full rights and responsibilities as citizens.

We conduct a comprehensive program to register all AFL-CIO members in our jurisdiction; provide information on the issues and positions of the candidates; and encourage them to vote in all elections. Voting records compiled by the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO and questionnaires on issues important to workers are used to make recommendation of endorsements for candidates. Delegates of affiliates throughout the state meet at biennial COPE Conventions, held in election years, to consider these endorsements. The resulting recommendations to support candidates who support labor issues are communicated to all of our membership.

A Powerful Link for Community Services

The Hawkeye Labor Council supports an active and vibrant community services program. We advance the personal and social well being of our members by working for strong communities. Decent housing, good schools, adequate health care, sufficient recreational opportunities and meaningful social support programs are key to having a better society.
We have a United Way Labor Liaison who works to promote the caring and sharing that is at the heart of the labor movement and to help our continued efforts to build a better society for all. The Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO promotes continued and increased support of these activities by all of our affiliates.

How does the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO work?

The policies of the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO are democratically determined by delegates from our affiliates.  Every year delegates elect officers to lead the Hawkeye Labor Council and implement  policies.  A per capita tax pays for the regular operation of the Hawkeye Labor Council and finances its activities.

Our monthly meetings start at 6:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday at 1211 Wiley Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA.  All union members are welcome.

Why Should You Join?

In unity there is strength!  By joining the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO, unions provide themselves with representation and  power they would not have working alone. Constant vigilance is necessary to protect  the gains won at the bargaining table.  We also help to pass legislation that will make the government responsive to the needs and concerns of workers and their families.

Our office is located at 1211 Wiley Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA.  Our regular office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  Additional information including a calendar of upcoming events is available on this website.

If you would like to affiliate with the Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO, or would like more information,  please call (319) 396-8461 or send us an email using the Contact Us page.