The New Unity Partnership (AFL-CIO power struggle)

[IndianaGreen]

The New Unity Partnership: Sweeney critics would bureaucratize to organize

by Herman Benson

What John Sweeney did unto Lane Kirkland in 1995, may now be done unto him. On September 18, this year, Sweeney announced he would run for reelection as AFL-CIO president, along with Rich Trumka, secretary-treasurer, and Linda Chavez-Thompson, executive vice-president. But his term of office doesn't expire until mid 2005, almost two years to go. Ordinarily such a premature declaration would seem strange. Not this time, however, because Sweeney needs to forestall a not-so-subtle drive by five international union leaders to push him out. They had planted stories in Business Week and in the American Prospect about his probable 'retirement' in 2005 (news to him!); they were already mulling over the choice of his successor. The pressure on Sweeney continues. When the New York Times reported that he would run for reelection, it added, "Some labor officials questioned whether Mr. Sweeney might reverse himself and ... not seek another term."

The five were banding together, they said, because at a time when labor must grow or die, the AFL-CIO remains passive and impotent. Calling for change, they propose to show the way to organize the unorganized. And so memories of the 1995 AFL-CIO convention in New York! That's when Sweeney, at the head of a coalition of international presidents, proclaiming that labor must grow or die, called for change and proposed to lead the federation in a drive to organize the unorganized. His drive for change succeeded only partially. He was elected AFL-CIO president to head a new leadership; he beat the drums for organizing; he called upon affiliates to put forces in the field; he recruited hundreds of eager students for a demonstrative summers of organizing.

But it didn't work. Now, eight years later, back to square one. Despite his exhortation, the response from the established labor leadership was limp. There have been some gains in organizing, but the unionized section of the private, nongovernment, work force remains at the dangerously low 9%.

http://www.uniondemocracy.org/UDR/articles52.htm

[cliss]

1. Yes, I think it probably is time

for labor to become better organized. Especially in these times when the current administration is a sworn enemy to labor unions.

9% does seem low. Also, didn't the AFL-CIO recently give their endorsement to Gephart? Maybe that wasn't such a wise move, since he's been surpassed quite a while ago. The only candidate which has less support is Lieberman.

[IndianaGreen]

2. The service unions have been endorsing Dean in Iowa

The trade unions endorsed Gep. Keep in mind that the service industry is the fastest growing industry in the country, as our industrial base continues to be shipped overseas.