At the 1934 convention of the AFL, Vladeck argued that the Nazi persecution of Jews was part of a general assault on labor rights and political liberty.

With powerful help from the American Federation of Labor, the Committee succeeded in bringing over a thousand of such individuals to the United States, or to temporary shelter elsewhere.

At a cost of $300 per year, a union shop or local, fraternal society, Workmen's Circle branch, women's club, or any other group or individual could "adopt" a child.

With diverse organizations as affiliates representing a variety of ideological groups, the Committee has been guided in its work by pragmatic policies rather than by a specific philosophy.

The JLC's funding comes from independent campaigns, contributions from trade unions, allocations from Jewish community federations, grants from foundations, individual members and organizational affiliates.

The JLC founded an Anti-Discrimination Division immediately after World War II, which agitated and lobbied in favor of Fair Employment Practices legislation, equal opportunities in education and integrated housing.

[6] In Canada, in the 1940s and 1950s, the Jewish Labour Committee played a leading role in opposing racial discrimination legislation and supporting human rights.

[7][8] Under his leadership, the JLC spearheaded the formation of Joint Labour Committees to Combat Racial Discrimination in Toronto, Windsor, Montreal, Vancouver and Winnipeg,[9] which advocated the adoption of human rights codes by provincial governments and which launched challenges against segregation and discriminatory employment and business practices.

[10] The JLC also publicly recognized labor leaders and pro-labor politicians who advanced the cause of Civil Rights with testimonial dinners held in their honor.

The JLC distributed literature and educational material combatting racism and played a role in state and national campaigns for civil rights legislation.

The JLC helped found the United Farm Workers, campaigned for the passage of the Fair Employment Practices Act in California and provided staffing and support for the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom led by Martin Luther King Jr.[15] NAACP labor director Herbert Hill said that, during the 1940s through the 1960s, the JLC had defended anti-Black and anti-Hispanic discriminatory practices of unions in the garment industry and building industry.