What Does This Committee Do?

The Human Rights & Equity Committee’s responsibility is to promote activities that foster greater understanding of one another and the diversity of our membership in order to build the strength of our Union through our common struggles and goals rather than allowing others to divide us by our differences.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Work to create a safe space for people to share their personal experiences related to age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and political orientation to promote better understanding of one another 
• Actively partner with progressive community allies to build activism and power through training, organizing, and political action 
• Provide support for work on Union campaigns and programs including collective bargaining, organizing, voter registration information and voting drives, informing members about legislation that impacts workers, and community service and outreach programs
• Conduct scheduled AFA Member census in coordination with AFA International and reporting to the LEC Officers and the MEC.  
• Keep informed on laws and protections related to human rights and worker’s rights; work to inform Members on laws and protections affecting them 
• Work closely with the Local and MEC Government Affairs Committees on matters of interest to both committees 
• Work closely with state and national Women’s Committee and Civil Rights & Equity Committee Representatives 
• Meet regularly to discuss relevant issues
• Work to strengthen our Union by working with communities, minority and women’s organizations, coalitions, and AFL-CIO constituency groups which aim to eliminate discrimination and racism
• Offer timely communications and reports to the LEC regarding the status of local activities
• Review material, handle correspondence, and keep Local Council Members well informed of current human rights developments through the Communications Committee and reports at Local Council meetings

Why Would I Contact This Committee?

The Human Rights & Equity Committee is available to help you with:

• Questions about AFA involvement in activism related to social and economic justice.

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Who Do I Contact?

For other assistance, contact any member of your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee.  You can find a list of Committee Members on your Local Council Committees page.  For your convenience, a list of Committee Chairs and links to the Local Committee lists are below.

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Links

• CWA Human Rights page

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Committee News

• Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage MonthMay 1, 2026
• Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 1st Quarter 2026April 2, 2026
• Celebrating Black History MonthFebruary 1, 2026
• Human Rights & Equity Committee Meeting Recap – 4th Quarter 2025December 12, 2025
• Celebrating Native American Heritage MonthNovember 1, 2025