Taking professional unionism to a new level

By Ed McElroy
AFT President

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It is easy to get discouraged about the state of collective bargaining in the United States. Twenty states still prohibit bargaining for public employees. The National Labor Relations Board, with its Bush-appointed majority, continues its assault on workers' rights. And declining union density has reached alarmingly low levels—with disturbing social and economic implications. But there are signs of an emerging turnaround, and some of the most promising developments are taking place right in our own union.

Recently I participated in a meeting of the Council of Global Unions, an international group of democratic unions. I heard some depressingly familiar statistics there—that the United States trails many other countries in terms of union density (dead last when compared with a group of other industrialized countries). The implications of this shortfall are grave. For example, as collective bargaining coverage declines in a country, income inequality grows. The social safety net weakens, as spending on vital social programs declines. There is even a dramatic, demonstrable correlation to increased infant mortality. Decreased union density has a farreaching, negative impact, as we are seeing right here in the United States.

Obviously, expanding the American labor movement must be a top imperative. Fortunately, the AFT is a growing union. Organizing new members and mobilizing current members is a priority for the AFT. We know that as our membership grows, so does our ability to influence important changes.

Underlying the AFT's growth and successes is the fact that so many of our affiliates are attuned to their members' and potential members' voices as to what they want and need from their union. These local unions are hearing that they must address their members' economic and professional concerns. In addition to improving their members' economic standing, many AFT Healthcare affiliates are using the collective bargaining process to improve patient care and to help members perform their jobs well. These affiliates are negotiating to ensure that members have a say in important workplace decisions such as staffing ratios, proper equipment and training, and worker safety. They know that the quality of the services their members provide is vitally important, and it shows in the way that they function as a union.

This kind of unionism is good for our members, for the institutions in which we work and for the people we serve. It also wins public support, which is central to the success of any union and any union-initiated undertakings. Even unions in states that prohibit formal bargaining for public employees can work around those restrictions to negotiate progressive policies, as AFT affiliates have done in places like Louisiana, Texas and West Virginia.

We must take professional unionism to a new level. We must look ahead and challenge ourselves to think outside the box. We don’t want to look back and find that we didn't think about—and plan for—major changes affecting our members and their workplaces.

Collective bargaining provides the framework to do this. For example, in light of the National Labor Relations Board decision that strips some healthcare workers of their right to a union by classifying them as supervisors, some union locals have used contract language to shield members from improperly being labeled as supervisors.

The AFT is a union of professionals. We demand professional wages and working conditions for members. We organize around issues and engage in political action. We help members reach the high expectations they have for themselves and that are required of them. We can achieve our greatest results only when our members are involved and mobilized.

We need your personal engagement. So I hope you will work through your union to achieve your professional goals and strengthen your profession. Doing this will build a stronger labor movement, a stronger community and a stronger nation—all for the common good.