AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler on why more workers are joining unions even in right-to-work states

News & Views

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler (Photo: AFL-CIO)

North Carolina is and will, for the foreseeable future, remain a so-called “right-to-work” state in which laws make it extremely tough build workplace unions. Despite this enormous barrier, however, there’s growing evidence that interest in and support for organized labor in our state is enjoying a bit of a renaissance.

With wages in many companies remaining low and flat, even as corporate profits and executive pay have soared, many North Carolina workers– especially younger workers – are rethinking unions. This reality was on display recently in Raleigh as the state AFL-CIO hosted a large and energetic gathering at its annual convention. And right after she delivered a keynote address at the event, NC Newsline caught up with the national president of the AFL-CIO, Liz Shuler.