ALIGN is a longstanding alliance of labor and community organizations united for a just and sustainable New York. ALIGN works at the intersection of economy, environment, and equity to make change and build movement. Their model addresses the root causes of economic injustice by forging strategic coalitions, shaping the public debate through strategic communications, and developing  policy solutions that make an impact.

ALIGN: The Alliance for a Greater New York formed in 2011 through the merger of New York Jobs and Justice and Urban Agenda. With a track record of 25 years combined experience, the merger increased our collective resources and positioned us to win larger, more systemic change for their communities, their city and their state. From the beginning, they have focused on building a more sustainable economy and environment by winning concrete victories that build momentum to make greater victories possible.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

ALIGN strives to achieve victories at a large scale, making a significant impact for low-wage workers and communities of color and winning precedent-setting standards. Undergirding the mission and model is ALIGN’s theory of social change and their core principles.

ORGANIZING BUILDS POWER.

ALIGN’s core movement role of bridging labor, community, and faith by developing coalitions and partnerships is fundamental to building a broad and powerful movement for economic justice.

RACIAL JUSTICE IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FIGHT FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE.

Racism, compounded by related systems of oppression, such as classism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism, and xenophobia excludes entire segments of society from economic prosperity. They aim to address racial inequality consciously and explicitly in their work to ensure that communities of color are empowered in a just economy. ALIGN defines racial justice as the systematic, fair treatment of people of all races resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE MUST BE PAIRED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

ALIGN  promotes good jobs that protect against workplace and environmental hazards and provides the conditions that allow for individual and community health. ALIGN defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.