Reply #81: I don't completely disagree with you

[zipplewrath]

Yes, I do think the union movement needs to re-invent itself. It needs to do so BECAUSE it was so successful at doing what you describe, representing the needs of the working class as a whole. The result is that between EOE and OSHA as well as workman's comp and various other "pro worker" laws, many workers get what unions normally had to fight for as a matter of course. Although I chuckle some times when I see non-union guys grousing about their treatment at work and suggest it might be different if they were a member of a union.

But the reality is that unions might need to return a bit to some roots of "trade associations" in which as you suggest they seek to serve workers more than just act as collective barganing units. They could provide legal representation, negotiating advice, job placement, and yes, access to more affordable healthcare all without a collective barganing arm.

Politically, their power still comes from their ability to organize, and their political clout will only grow from an ability to help candiates campaign and from an ability to deliver votes. To that end they may want to consider creating their own candidates and helping them get started, much in the EMILY's list manner or more importantly in the DCCC/DSCC/DLC model.