{
  "id": 12651202,
  "title": "Unions look beyond their rolls to build a new movement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/unions-look-beyond-their-rolls-to-build-a-new-movement",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T15:00:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Semafor",
    "slug": "semafor",
    "url": "https://www.semafor.com/article/10/07/2026/unions-look-beyond-their-rolls-to-build-a-new-movement"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Every Thursday afternoon, a group of state AFL-CIO leaders convenes on Zoom to work on a new agenda: the \"Contract with Working Americans.\" This initiative is a novel approach for labor, which has traditionally led from Washington, and aims to mobilize not just union members, but also the many Americans who are not affiliated with unions. Derrick Osobase, vice president of Communications Workers of America District 6, explains that they are reaching out to working-class individuals who are not part of unions and incorporating their demands into the agenda. The idea for the \"contract\" emerged from a paradox: while union membership has dropped from 20% in 1983 to 10% last year, union popularity remains high, with 71% of US adults approving of unions, including 52% of Republicans. This discrepancy suggests an opportunity for the labor movement to broaden its appeal. Francis Eanes, executive director of the Maine Labor Climate Council, points out that unions have traditionally focused on narrow issues, making them appear as special interest groups. However, the Gallup numbers indicate that Americans of different political backgrounds seem to believe that private welfare states, such as those offered by unions, could be beneficial. The main components of the \"Contract with Working Americans\" were developed through canvassing surveys led by state AFL-CIOs and affiliates. While there is no single document, each version varies slightly to accommodate local trades and industries. The contract includes economic priorities such as lowering prescription drug costs, expanding healthcare coverage, capping childcare costs, reducing gas prices, and raising the minimum wage. It also adopts a populist tone, calling for a congressional ban on stock trading and lobbying by elected officials after leaving office, a tax on billionaires, and a ban on AI surveillance. Several prominent candidates have signed onto the contract, including Texas Senate nominee James Talarico, gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa, and independent Alaska candidate Bill Hill. However, no Republicans have backed the contract. Organizers believe that by defining a new national agenda, labor could counteract the low trust in Congress, political parties, the media, and other institutions, and potentially influence the political landscape in a way similar to Newt Gingrich's 1994 \"Contract with America.\"",
  "summary": "State labor groups are rolling out a broad populist agenda.",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Contract with Working Americans\" initiative aims to broaden labor movement appeal.",
    "Surveys reveal Americans across political backgrounds support union-backed welfare states.",
    "Prominent candidates endorse contract, signaling potential political influence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}