AFL-CIO split could hurt dems.

[dajoki]

teamsters leader james hoffa said" we will not be afraid to back a republican". DIVIDE & CONQUER http://money.cnn.com/2005/07/25/news/economy/boycott/index.htm?cnn=yes

[Teaser]

1. That's not what the split is about.

The split is about the AFL-CIO's unwillingness to devote the bulk of its resources to aggressive organizing, the way the SEIU has under Stern.

I support the split, because I believe that the Democrats, and progressivism in general does better with a thriving labor movement. AFL-CIO's policies have consigned labor to a shrinking pool of declining influence.

[roguevalley]

If they aren't ready to go out and organize, then they don't represent

labor. I have to tell you, my heart sunk because I've been on labor boards, was an officer of one union at the local and state level and have belonged to three others, every place I worked, I joined. I hope they can organize and help the locals.

ps hoffa is a bastard. Just like his old man.

RV, former Teamster, former NEA, former AFT, former Hotel, etc. Workers

[dajoki]

3. i didn't say that is what the split is about...

i was a union member (UMWA) for many years. but we were significantly weakened during raygun years. too long a story to get into. but we were divided and eventually busted. i ended up at same job making $4.00 less per hour and no benefits. it's a shame the AFL-CIO and teamsters, etc., couldn't work out their differences. there is strength in numbers.

[kevsand]

6. That's not what it's about, either.

It's about two egomaniacs in a personal power struggle. This split isn't going to help anyone. Check out this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4185521

[Teaser]

7. Just because Andy Stern is an egomaniac

doesn't mean he isn't right.

[kevsand]

8. That's a good point, and well worth remembering.

I personally happen to think that he's wrong to split off, and also wrong to ignore the obvious effect that politicians have on the environment for organizing, but on the other hand, he's absolutely right about the need to reinvigorate that organizing. I also see some good, but mostly bad, in Sweeney. I blame both of them for the split.

My biggest gripe with both of these guys is that neither seems interested in the one thing we need to do to re-energize the movement: get the rank and file fully engaged and involved. I don't see either one of them doing anything to make that happen. In that context, the split won't make things better, and will probably make them worse in the short term.

My only hope is that the respective memberships get fed up enough with the counterproductive, elitist leadership at the top of most of the internationals to throw them all out. Unfortunately, that's reactive rather than proactive, and becomes more of a waiting game than a game plan. Can you tell I'm frustrated?

[AntiCoup2K4]

9. Sweeney is a fucking PNAC'er!

Those fucking treasonous pieces of shit have their hands in everything.

http://www.newamericancentury.org/hongkong-20021126.htm

[dajoki]

14. his secretary-treasurer richard trumka is no better

when i was in UMWA he was president and he left about 5 or 6 locals hanging during strike in mid '80s causing our jobs to be lost. he too can kiss my ass.

[1932]

12. Yes. Regardless of personality, Stern's getting the job done for his union

members.

And he's going to get even more done now, I bet.

[DaveinMD]

2. unions always say this

but its rare for it to occur. Except the Teamsters because of their long grudge against the Kennedys.

[jody]

4. It might help because many Democratic politicians take labor unions for

granted and give them lip service while taking money from large corporations and voting the corporate way.

[dajoki]

5. well hoprfully they do some organizing...

because we can't afford to lose the labor vote. besides union households are decreasing every year because of large corporations, it's cheaper for them to outsource or hire non skilled workers.

[AtomicKitten]

10. ... and maybe not.

Hoffa was all over the tubage today talking about recruitment, so maybe it will strengthen their ranks. He also shows less alliegance to the Dem Party, but I think he'd be hard-pressed to find a Repub candidate who is pro-worker. Ha, that's a good one.

[1932]

11. SEIU and UNITE are very effective, organized and progressive unions

and will be more effective once they break away from the AFL-CIO, which, despite Sweeney's best efforts, has supported some bad candiates and bad (foreign and domestic) policies in the last couple years.

Hoffa wasn't much help to Democrats so far, so the Teamsters breaking away is a wash. (He has flirted with Republicans while part of the AFL-CIO ans supported ANWAR driling).

[dajoki]

13. hoffa goes where the money is

let's just see what happens with the teamsters, i'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[cosmik debris]

15. Jimmy Hoffa endorsed Nixon

in 1968 and 1972. Since then I haven't given a flying fig what the teamsters say or do. They are no friends of mine.