About Us

The Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly is the AFL-CIO central labor organization for the Illinois counties of McLean, Livingston, Logan and DeWitt.

The organization is the central voice for local unions in the area, working on political mobilization, community outreach and organizing new workers.

With roots stretching back to the 19th century Knights of Labor, the Trades & Labor Assembly has been organized labor's main community presence for over 100 years.

There are 31 affiliated local unions, covering construction, industrial and public employees, with over 8,000 members.

• Political Action
• Community Involvement
• Organizing new workers.

Politically, this means supporting candidates for federal, state and local action, plus lobbying government to uphold and strengthen workers' rights.

Community Involvement is a key part of this labor assembly's outreach. Union members can be found serving on numerous committees and boards. Plus there are numerous annual "hands-on" community projects, where union members donate their time and energy to build something for the community or a particular charity or organization. The Trades & Labor was the only labor organization cited at the 1996 Presidential Points of Light awards program in Philadelphia.

Finally, the organization is dedicated to organizing any workers who are interested in union representation.

The organization meets monthly on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Laborers Local 362 Hall, 2005 Cabintown Road, Bloomington, Illinois.

The organization also publishes monthly the award-winning Livingston & McLean Counties Union News.

For more information on the organization or its affiliated local unions, contact: