Summary | Team | Current Environment | Case Histories 

Unions and coalitions face a unique opportunity to help their constituents and advance their causes through direct, proactive engagement with the federal government, state and local governments, and public-private partnerships. Opportunities include:

• Grants for training, research and other activities that help advance the administration’s economic agenda
• Recognition through certification and accreditation programs that address the new accountability in the regulatory environment and can help establish quality standards
• Innovative partnerships with government agencies and private sector entities
• Defense and optimization in specific sectors in which designated funding can be more appropriately and advantageously applied.

President Obama came to office with labor’s support and has maintained a commitment to a resurgent middle class. The administration has engaged on overarching issues such as universal healthcare, immigration and trade. However, the pressing issue for individual workers and their organizations is keeping good jobs.

ARRA stimulus funds have not been fully spent and further measures to create jobs are expected, indicating opportunity for organizations that can effectively engage government programs and achieve results. Many government entities are not operationally or culturally equipped to efficiently utilize unexpected funding, and also face higher standards of accountability, with the Internet as the rapid posting mechanism enabling transparency. Federal, state and local officials need innovative, proactive support. Further stimulus will only intensify this situation as funding flows to modes that have proven successful.