AFL-CIO revamps website with eye on Nov. election

The nation’s largest labor federation launched a revamped website Thursday with an eye toward mobilizing the grass roots this fall. 

In a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Liz Shuler said the federation wanted to create a fresher and more user-friendly website for all workers, not just union members. She said the emphasis on interactivity would help the labor group connect with activists as the election draws near.

“As time goes on, we will have the ability to plug into mobilization events, grassroots, rallies and canvasses,” Shuler said. “It will be a technological tool to really enhance our ability to get boots on the ground. So that’s exciting.”

Shuler said the AFL-CIO also wants to showcase workers with the new site, noting that a different picture of an AFL-CIO member will cycle through the background of the site.

“Our members are front and center,” Shuler said. 

Users will be able to enter their zip code into the site and find contact information for their state AFL-CIO federation and local affiliates. It will also bring up their members of Congress and link to their voting records. 

There will be a new Spanish-language feature, as well as a section designed for young workers. An area of the site that describes how to organize and what rights workers have will be given more prominence, Shuler said. 

An action center will also encourage users to get involved on certain issues and get in touch with their representatives.

The AFL-CIO also plans to host guest bloggers and hopes that will help bring more interest to the site. Users will be able to upload their own video and blog posts. 

With the revamp, the labor federation wants to increase traffic to the site.

Right now, the AFL-CIO website receives about 350,000 unique visits each month. The federation’s blog and Executive PayWatch, which detail CEOs’ salaries and compensation packages, are among the more trafficked parts of the site.