What is the Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition?
The Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition is a growing alliance of unions, religious institutions, community organizations, student groups and individuals who share a commitment to challenging economic injustice. Through education, support for organizing and advocacy, the Coalition works to help low-wage workers locally, nationally and globally challenge corporate control and gain their rights.

Members as of December 2003 are: •Albany Friends Meeting, •Altamont Reformed Church, •Artists' All-Faith Center, •First Unitarian-Universalist Society of Albany, •Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, •Capital District Area Labor Federation, •Troy Area Labor Council, •Albany Central Labor Council, •NYSUT Capital District Region, •1199 SEIU, Capital Region, •SEIU 200United,•HERE 471, •CWA Local 1104(GSEU),•UUP Albany Chapter, •Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, •Campus Action, •Hunger Action Network of NYS, •United Tenants of Albany, •Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Local 2, •CSEA 673, •Albany Public School Teachers Association, •Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, •Working Families Organization, •Prison Families of NY.

The Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition is governed by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from member groups. The Steering Committee meets monthly (usually on the 4th Tuesday of each month) and meetings are open.

The Coalition is affiliated with the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and Jobs with Justice, which encourages its members to participate in labor solidarity efforts. The coalition asks individuals to take an action pledge to attend five actions or events during the year that will help build a stronger labor movement. With help from JwJ, the Coalition has established a Workers Rights Board made up of elected officials, as well as leaders of faith and academic communities. The WRB holds public forums where workers can bring complaints against employers for violating their human and legal rights in the workplace.

Each year Coalition members support the 40 hour fast sponsored by the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition that calls attention to the plight of low-wage workers. The Coalition's Sweat Free Schools committee is working to get local schools to adopt purchasing policies to end the purchase of apparel and sports equipment made in sweatshops or with child labor. The Coalition's Congregational Outreach Committee works to encourage religious institutions to study labor conditions and to support organizing efforts. For more information, contact the Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition. [Last Updated: 09/15/2004© New York State Labor-Religion Coalition]