Why Should Labor Unions Respond to AIDS Spring 2004 By Gloria T. Johnson Gloria T. Johnson is the National President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), a constituency group of the AFL-CIO. Ms. Johnson, a founding member of CLUW, has served as its president since 1993. Ms. Johnson has a long history of advocating for social causes including women's rights and civil rights. She is on the National Partners Board of the Business/Labor Responds to AIDS program.

The labor movement has long been at the forefront of struggles to eliminate discrimination and to make the workplace safe. Its response to HIV/AIDS over the years has carried on this tradition. But, like most organizations today, unions are faced with many competing challenges and fewer resources.

HIV/AIDS touches the lives of workers everywhere, their families, and their communities. The labor movement has long answered the call of confronting difficult issues in the workplace. From fighting for civil rights to fighting sex discrimination, unions have made a positive difference in the lives of their workers.

There is tremendous diversity among union members. Because of the union's diversity and their structure, they are uniquely positioned to reach those most at need of education about HIV/AIDS: people of color.

Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention