AFL-CIO: Unions Will Impact 2008 Race

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

AFL-CIO Leaders Say Union Movement Strengthening As 2008 Elections Near

By JESSE J. HOLLAND AP Labor Writer

Union membership is down. The labor movement has split in two. Conservatives control the White House, the Supreme Court and, until last year, Congress.

Yet AFL-CIO leaders say things are looking up as the nation's largest labor federation heads toward the 2008 presidential elections.

"We're stronger in many ways," said AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, in Chicago for the federation's executive council meeting and Tuesday forum with the Democratic presidential primary candidates.

Organized labor played a large role in Democrats taking over Congress in the midterm elections, Sweeney said, and is trying to hold on to that momentum going into 2008.




Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3452698