About Solidarity Center
Leading U.S.-based independent nonprofit ORGANIZATION
The Solidarity Center is a leading U.S.-based independent nonprofit organization that advances workers' rights and strengthens democratic participation worldwide. As a 501(c)(3) organization, The Solidarity Center collaborates with unions, worker associations, and community partners to help people gain the skills and support needed to secure fair treatment, safer workplaces, and a stronger voice in shaping decisions that affect their lives. Through programs active in many regions, the organization provides practical tools that help workers pursue lasting change.
Respecting Worker Voices and Daily Realities
The Solidarity Center begins its work by listening to workers who face some of the most challenging conditions in the global economy. Workers share stories of low wages, discrimination, unsafe environments, and limited access to their rights. By learning directly from workers, the organization ensures that its programs reflect real needs rather than theoretical ideas. This commitment to listening guides the development of worker-centered solutions that support practical improvements in workplaces and communities.
Promoting Democratic Values Across Borders
The Solidarity Center, Washington, D.C., plays a central role in connecting global labor movements with human rights organizations, civic partners, and democratic institutions. These collaborations support core democratic values such as freedom of expression, equal protection under the law, and the right to organize. The Solidarity Center believes that democracy is strengthened when workers can participate openly in both civic spaces and workplaces. When workers have the freedom to raise concerns without fear, they help build more transparent and stable societies.
Strengthening Unions and Worker Organizations
A significant part of the Solidarity Center’s mission is supporting strong, independent unions. Unions provide a collective voice for workers, helping them secure fair wages, improved safety standards, and essential benefits. In many regions, workers face significant challenges when organizing, including legal restrictions and employer resistance. The Solidarity Center offers leadership development, organizational tools, and legal support to help unions form, grow, and advocate effectively. These efforts help workers gain long-term stability and ensure they have representation in key decisions.
Expanding Workplace Safety and Health Protections
Workplace safety is a critical concern for many workers worldwide. People across industries face daily risks, including exposure to chemicals, unsafe machinery, unstable structures, and extreme temperatures. The Solidarity Center works with workers to help them identify hazards, understand safety requirements, and seek improvements that protect their well-being. By advancing safer working conditions, the organization supports healthier communities and more sustainable workplaces.
Building Fair and Responsible Supply Chains
Unfair labor practices in global supply chains affect millions of workers. The Solidarity Center helps address these challenges by promoting ethical sourcing, stronger oversight, and responsible labor standards. Through partnerships and worker engagement, the organization works to reduce forced labor, child labor, and unsafe exploitation. These efforts help ensure that global markets and consumer products are shaped by fairness and respect for worker dignity.
Supporting Worker Leadership and Long-Term Change
The Solidarity Center recognizes that workers are leaders in their own right. Through training and community-based programs, the organization helps workers develop skills in organizing, negotiation, and advocacy. Workers who once struggled to speak up often become key leaders in unions, workplaces, and local communities. Their leadership helps shape long-term change that benefits entire regions.
A Continued Dedication to Worker Rights
Since its founding, the Solidarity Center has worked to improve labor conditions, expand worker rights, and strengthen democratic participation across many parts of the world. Through long-term partnerships, training, and direct support, The Solidarity Center continues to help workers build safer, fairer, and more inclusive workplaces. The organization remains committed to supporting people as they strive for dignity, stability, and a future shaped by their own voices.