Ukraine

Will Attig (UA; pictured left), executive director of the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO (UVC), led a delegation of labor leaders and working people to meet with Ambassador Oksana Markarova (not pictured) at the Ukrainian Embassy. The delegation expressed the U.S. labor movement’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Joining UVC in the delegation were representatives from the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), Mine Workers (UMWA), Machinists (IAM), Ironworkers, AFT, AFGE, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) and the Solidarity Center.

As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler describes how Ukrainian workers and their trade unions have become an undeniable force for solidarity and community support throughout the country.

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

In response to the violent invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military, the global labor movement has taken unprecedented action to provide solidarity and aid to the people of Ukraine. The AFL-CIO, among many other unions around the world, has issued statements condemning the invasion, and state federations and central labor councils have begun to issue similar resolutions. Unions including AFSCME and AFT, have passed resolutions calling for the divestment of pension fund investments with ties to Russia.