HIV/AIDS Initiative

Coalition of Labor Union Women

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CLUW.org

h i v / a i d s e d u c a t i o n & p r e v e n t i o n i n i t i a t i v e

Updated May 20, 2005

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AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez Thompson (c.) with unionists in Washington, DC
		Q & A on HIV/AIDS Initiative

		Women & HIV/AIDS

		Resources for HIV/AIDS

		Leadership Forum

		Advisory Committee


fact sheet		CLUW’s HIV/AIDS Program Fact Sheet Website material content notice: Since HIV is primarily spread through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages on this site may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information, or may be offended by such materials, please exit this website.

Purpose:		The CLUW HIV/AIDS program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded initiative that involves collaborations between the AFL-CIO, its constituency groups and affiliated organizations to reenergize labor’s focus on raising awareness to its members and staff about HIV/AIDS.

Need:		Recent CDC estimates that there are about 900,000 people in the U.S. living with HIV/AIDS. Despite public education campaigns and prevention efforts and newer, more effective treatments, the rate of new HIV infections has remained steady at about 40,000 annually. The AFL-CIO constituency groups represent significant numbers of workers at greatest risk for HIV infection: women and people of color.

Goals:		1. To develop a network of labor leaders at the local, national, and international level who care about this issue 2. To identify partnership opportunities between labor, employers, and other organizations for developing a joint national and local campaign on HIV/AIDS

Why is HIV/AIDS a Union Issue?		Unions have risen to the challenge of HIV/AIDS since the mid-80s. Many union members work in professions that put them directly at risk for contracting HIV including hospital/healthcare workers, sanitation workers, postal workers, and hotel employees.

Accomplish- ments:		1. A Labor Leaders Forum, consisting of AFL-CIO leadership and their appointed staff liaisons is in place to coordinate HIV/AIDS initiatives. 2. A Project Advisory Committee, which includes labor representatives from the AFL-CIO and its constituency groups has been established to provide technical assistance to the Initiative. 3. Ongoing meetings are being conducted with both groups to discuss partnership opportunities and a strategic plan for addressing HIV/AIDS. 4. Needs assessment activities have been conducted with unions, labor organizations and CLUW leadership to build a foundation for future activities.

Getting Involved:		The program is forming partnerships with local and national unions, community-based organizations, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS and there are many things you can do to get involved. You can make sure that your union is positioned to help its members by developing contract language that addresses HIV/AIDS, including information about HIV and AIDS as part of its stewards/delegates training, and by establishing an AIDS policy and education program. Unions can make sure that their members with HIV/AIDS have access to services and the information available to them. For more information, contact: Karen McMillan HIV/AIDS Project Director (202) 223-8360, ext. 7 Email: kmcmillan@cluw.org.