Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1512296
22 KEYFRAME AFL-CIO. W H AT D O T H E S E L E T T E R S M E A N ? R E A D O N F O R T H E K E Y T O U N L O C K I N G T H E C O D E T O T H I S U N I O N A C R O N Y M . LABOR SCHOOL MEET YOUR TAG S TA F F ALLISON F I E L D O R G A N I Z E R WHAT IS IT? The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a federation of 60 distinct labor unions. This includes IATSE, the national union that represents entertainment industry workers in the U.S. and Canada. IATSE is the parent union of The Animation Guild, Local 839. WHEN DID IT ORIGINATE? Back in 1886, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was founded to organize skilled workers. As disagreements ensued over whether union organization should be based on skill (craft) or industry (workplace), the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) came into being in 1935 . Initially, the relationship between the AFL and CIO was contentious because of these conflicting schools of thought. But when the Taft-Hartley Act was passed in 1947, curbing some union rights, the organizations found it in their best interests to combine forces, and they merged in 1955 . Today the AFL-CIO represents 12.5 million working people. WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU? The AFL-CIO is governed by democratically elected officers from its federation of unions, which means its activities represent the interests of all union members under its umbrella including TAG members. Among the AFL-CIO's operations are organizing efforts, educational campaigns on behalf of the labor movement, and support of legislation beneficial to labor, including investing tax dollars in public works projects that provide good jobs. With a goal to "give working people a collective voice to address workplace injustices without the fear of retaliation," it strives to ensure that all working people are treated fairly, with safe jobs, equal opportunities, and dignity. Learn more about the AFL-CIO at https://aflcio.org. 22 KEYFRAME T H E L O C A L SMARTT