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THE SOUTH GOT SOMETHING TO SAY
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Memphis & West Tennessee Central Labor Council
(CLC) • Founded 1890
The Memphis & West Tennessee Central Labor Council is the regional body of the AFL-CIO, uniting local unions across all industries in the Memphis and West Tennessee area. Central Labor Councils serve as the voice of the labor movement in their communities, coordinating efforts among affiliated unions, advocating for workers' rights, supporting organizing campaigns, and engaging in political and legislative action to benefit all working families.
A Central Labor Council (CLC) is the regional arm of the AFL-CIO that brings together local unions in a geographic area. The CLC coordinates labor activities, provides a unified voice for workers in the community, supports union organizing efforts, engages in political and legislative advocacy, and builds solidarity among workers across different industries. The Memphis & West Tennessee CLC represents the collective strength of the labor movement in the region.
Kevin Bradshaw serves as President of the Memphis & West Tennessee Central Labor Council, leading the regional labor movement and advocating for working families across the Memphis area. As President, Bradshaw coordinates efforts among over 50 affiliated local unions, builds coalitions with community organizations, and champions policies that strengthen workers' rights and improve conditions for all working people in West Tennessee. Under his leadership, the Council continues its mission of solidarity, organizing support, and political action to ensure every worker has a voice on the job.
- Unites unions across all industries
- Community and political advocacy
- Support for organizing campaigns
- Worker education and training
- Legislative action for workers rights
- Solidarity and mutual aid among unions
Steward Fundamentals
Learn the basics of union representation, grievance handling, and member communication. Open to all affiliated locals.
Organizing 101
AFL-CIO certified training for organizers. Covers card signing, NLRB elections, countering anti-union tactics, and building committee structures.
OSHA 10-Hour Safety
Federally recognized workplace safety course. Members receive an OSHA 10-Hour card upon completion. Offered quarterly.
Political Action & COPE Training
Training on political engagement, voter registration drives, and building effective Committee on Political Education (COPE) programs.
A Memphis & West TN CLC Initiative
THE SOUTH GOT SOMETHING TO SAY
Educate • Organize • Mobilize. A Southern worker movement powered by Memphis.
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Dues
Affiliated unions pay per-capita dues
Membership Requirements
AFL-CIO affiliated unions in Memphis & West Tennessee region
Workforce Development Resources
- Free job search & placement assistance
- Resume writing & interview coaching
- WIOA-funded skills training & certifications
- Apprenticeship & pre-apprenticeship referrals
- Veterans employment services
- Adult education & GED support
Jobs4TN.gov
Tennessee's official job-matching platform. Search jobs, post resumes, and access unemployment services statewide.
TN Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development
Parent agency overseeing American Job Centers, unemployment, veterans services, and apprenticeship programs across TN.
TN Reconnect
Last-dollar scholarship covering tuition at any community college or TCAT for Tennessee adults 25+.
TN Promise
Last-dollar scholarship for recent high school grads — two years tuition-free at community college or TCAT.
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT)
27 statewide trade schools offering hands-on certifications in welding, electrical, HVAC, CDL, healthcare, IT, and more.
Drive to 55
Statewide initiative to ensure 55% of Tennesseans have a postsecondary credential or degree by 2025.
ProGeny Place is a Memphis-based organization dedicated to moving Mid-Southerners to middle income through entrepreneurship and job skills attainment. They foster the belief that economic parity is achievable — and they're building the workforce programs to make it happen.
For workers looking to enter apprenticeship programs, ProGeny Place offers the foundational skills training you need to pass entrance tests and succeed. Their programs cover workforce readiness, basic skills development, and pre-apprenticeship preparation — giving you the tools to compete and get accepted into registered apprenticeship programs.
Programs & Initiatives
- ProGeny E.A.R.N. Initiative — Education, Apprenticeship, Readiness & Networking
- Pre-Apprenticeship Preparation — Basic skills to pass apprenticeship entrance exams
- Sustainable Workforce Initiative — Long-term career development
- ProGeny Equity Project — Economic parity for minorities
Founded by a former Memphis & West TN CLC Board Member. Delphia Harris, CNP knows firsthand how a strong union job changes a family — and built this foundation to help working people turn that paycheck into generational wealth through homeownership.
The Harris Homeownership Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Memphis-based nonprofit dedicated to making housing available for purchase by working families in need. Through grant-making, counseling, and direct support, the foundation removes the barriers that keep union members and their neighbors from owning their first home.
How They Help Union Families
- Down payment & closing cost assistance — Grants for qualifying first-time homebuyers
- Homebuyer education — Mortgage readiness, credit repair, budgeting
- Housing access — Connecting working families to affordable housing inventory in Memphis
- Generational wealth building — Turning union wages into long-term family assets
Contact
Delphia Harris, CNP — Executive Director
Former Memphis & West TN CLC Board Member
harrishf.org
Vontyna Durham — CEO & Founder
A Memphis powerhouse leading a movement to put justice-impacted youth, formerly incarcerated adults, and the next generation of women drivers behind the wheel of America's freight economy. Vontyna built Xcelente as a Minority Woman-Owned Business that doesn't just train CDL drivers — it builds careers. Through national-and-state-recognized apprenticeship pathways, mentorship, and a vanpool that gets students to class, she's turning second chances and first chances into family-supporting wages.
Xcelente Trucking is an FMCSA-approved Commercial Driver License training course provider creating a movement of highly qualified drivers for the growing transportation industry. Their instructors are expert teachers with real trucking experience, and their supportive learning environment is designed to help students from any background succeed.
Programs & Pathways
- ELDT Class A Theory + Range & Behind-the-Wheel — full federally-required entry-level driver training
- ELDT Class B Theory — entry into local delivery, transit, and municipal driving
- Intro to Dispatching — back-office career path in trucking logistics
- FMCSA Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) — interstate trucking pathway for ages 18–20
- Justice-Impacted Youth Referrals (ages 16–24) — direct overlap with the District 10 audience
- National & State-Recognized Re-Entry CDL Apprenticeship — career-track training for formerly incarcerated individuals
- Vanpool / Rideshare Program — eliminates the #1 barrier to completion: getting to class
- Trucking business consulting — for owner-operators and minority trucking startups
Contact
Vontyna Durham — CEO & Founder
Memphis, Tennessee · FMCSA Approved · Minority Woman-Owned
xcelente.orgMid-South Construction Careers is a pre-apprenticeship program that prepares individuals for high-skilled careers in the construction industry. By uniting trade unions, business sponsors, and community organizations, they offer apprentice readiness training, mentorship, and career counseling.
The program is dedicated to ensuring that the benefits of the Mid-South's construction boom reach all communities — particularly those historically underrepresented in the trades. Graduates earn while they learn, train with state-of-the-art technology, and graduate debt-free.
The Tri-State Apprenticeship Resource Guide connects workers across the Mid-South with registered apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades. These programs offer high wages, health insurance, pensions, and job protection through union membership.
Building a career path to a bright future for the Mid-South since 1906. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — graduating debt-free with industry-recognized credentials.
Did you know your union membership can get you a free college degree? Multiple programs offer free Associate Degrees, up to 50% off tuition on Bachelor's and Master's programs, and scholarships worth up to $12,000 — for members, spouses, children, and grandchildren.
AFSCME Local 1733
Public Employees
APRI - Memphis
Coalition
APWU Local 96
Postal Workers
ATU Local 713
Transit Workers
BCTGM Local 149
Bakery & Tobacco
BCTGM Local 252G
Bakery & Tobacco
Carpenters - UBC 345
Building Trades
CBTU Memphis Chapter
Coalition
CWA Local 3804
Communications
CWA Local 3806
Communications
HFIAW Local 90
Insulation Workers
IAM Lodge 3 - DeSoto
Machinists
IAM Lodge 61
Machinists
IATSE Local 69
Stage Employees
IATSE Local 492
Stage Employees
IATSE Local 825
Stage Employees
IBEW Local 474
Electrical Workers
IBEW Local 1288
Electrical Workers
IBEW Local 1925
Electrical Workers
IBT Local 667
Teamsters
Iron Workers Local 167
Building Trades
IUPA Local 318 - Memphis Police Assoc.
Law Enforcement
LIUNA Local 386
Laborers
NALC Branch 27
Letter Carriers
NewsGuild-CWA Local 32035
Media
NewsGuild-CWA Local 33091
Media
NPMHU Local 329 (LIUNA)
Mail Handlers
OPEIU Local 277
Office Workers
OPEIU Local 2001
Office Workers
RWDSU Local 910
Retail Workers
SEIU Local 205
Service Employees
SMART Local 4
Sheet Metal
SMART Local 1557
Sheet Metal
TCU Local 794
Transportation
TNG-CWA Local 36047
Media
UA Local 17
Plumbers & Pipefitters
UAW Local 2406
Auto Workers
UAW Local 3036
Auto Workers
UCW-CWA Local 3865
Campus Workers
UFCW Local 1529
Food & Commercial
UNITE HERE Local 23 - Tunica
Hospitality
USW Local 1274
Steelworkers
USW Local 1289
Steelworkers
USW Local 2360
Steelworkers
USW Local 7655
Steelworkers
USW Local 9-631
Steelworkers
USW Local 9526
Steelworkers
USW Local 9771
Steelworkers
UTU-SMART
Transportation
As of April 6, 2026
The Memphis Central Labor Council represents over 30,000 union members across the Mid-South. Affiliating with the CLC strengthens the voice of labor in our community, connects your organization to legislative advocacy, community events, and mutual aid networks.
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members
25,000+ working families
Headquarters
Memphis, Tennessee
Founded
1890
