Moving American Labor Forward

Truly independent representation for the new economy.
Flexible agreements shaped to each bargaining unit.
Zero dues dollars spent on political lobbying.
Among the lowest dues in the country.

Explore the CIU → Call 618-462-2447
0 Founded in Alton, Illinois
0+ Members represented nationwide
$0 Of your dues spent on political lobbying
0 States — no geographical boundaries
[ 01 / About ]

A labor organization
for the new economy

The Congress of Independent Unions (CIU) is a labor organization for the new economy — one in which workers and owners work together to define relationships that work for everyone.

“Independent” means we stand alone, free to adjust to the needs of our members without the cumbersome bureaucracy of “Big Labor.” We are not affiliated with the AFL‑CIO. At the CIU, our members are individuals, not numbers — and business owners appreciate our role.

Affiliation with the CIU offers aid to independent unions that is not available elsewhere, and helps those unions keep their autonomy.

Why choose the CIU →
Illustration of diverse American workers standing together
FIG. 01 — The U.S. labor force, every trade
[ 02 / Why CIU ]

Built different,
on purpose

01

Truly Independent

Not affiliated with the AFL‑CIO. Free to adjust to the needs of our members without the cumbersome bureaucracy of “Big Labor.”

02

Flexible Agreements

Collective Bargaining Agreements individually negotiated to fit the specific needs of each bargaining unit. No one‑size‑fits‑all contracts.

03

No Political Lobbying

The CIU does not contribute any portion of union dues toward political lobbying or campaign contributions. Your dues work for you.

04

Lowest Dues in the Country

Our dues structure is one of the lowest in the country — keeping more money in the pockets of working Americans.

[ 03 / Industries ]

Representing the U.S. labor force

Across the industries that keep the country moving.

[ 04 / How We Work ]

How we work
for our members

  1. / 01

    Recognized & registered

    The CIU has no craft jurisdictional lines or geographical boundaries. We are properly registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and recognized as a labor organization by the National Labor Relations Board.

  2. / 02

    Stable, permanent employment

    The CIU does not operate a hiring hall. Unemployment is rarely a problem for CIU members — the majority work for the same contractor on a permanent basis. If a member is laid off, we work to place them with another CIU contractor, and we help members and their employers obtain additional and better work.

  3. / 03

    Contracts that keep employers competitive

    AFL‑CIO building trades often impose restrictive work rules that make it impossible for contractors to survive. We offer Membership‑At‑Large to the construction trades and contracts with reasonable work rules — keeping contractors competitive and employment stable.

  4. / 04

    Benefits built around you

    We offer flexible CBAs individually negotiated for our members. The CIU does not maintain health & welfare or pension funds — those benefits are established in the CBAs through independent sources, tailored to each unit. When necessary, we assist members and employers through the National Labor Relations Board.

Your organization stands as a symbol of a right we cherish in our country: the right of workers to choose whether to be represented by a union and, if they do, to form or select the union that best suits their needs.
— Ronald Reagan
[ 05 / Contact ]

Contact us

Talk to a real person about representation that fits your workplace.

Address 3002 Homer M Adams Pkwy
Alton, IL 62002 Open in Maps ↗ Phone 618‑462‑2447 Tap to call ↗
Fax 618‑462‑5579  
Office Hours Mon – Fri
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST Central Standard Time
Call 618-462-2447 →