Putting working people and their families first

By Edward J. McElroy
AFT President

This summer marked the 50th anniversary of the AFL-CIO. Instead of celebrating, the AFL-CIO was working to avert the defections of several member unions. Unfortunately, despite entreaties to keep the labor movement united and strong, leaders of these unions chose the golden anniversary of labor solidarity to bolt the AFL-CIO.

The departure of three unions—the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Teamsters—from the AFL-CIO has done what opponents of unions have been unable to do—split the labor movement.

Several union leaders recently organized around a few ideas. One was that the AFL-CIO should rebate 50 percent of member unions’ dues to be used for organizing. Another was forcing the merger of certain unions. And the group, representing far less than a majority, sought to dictate who would become president of the AFL-CIO.

Numerous unions, including the AFT, engaged in months of negotiations intended to avert a dangerous rift in the labor movement. Ultimately, efforts to keep the AFL-CIO intact failed. This happened in part because the majority of AFL-CIO unions refused to yield to unreasonable and undemocratic demands that would undermine the movement and the people we represent. It is also clear now that those with whom we were negotiating were not truly committed to finding solutions to our differences.

The AFT and other AFL-CIO unions remain committed to strengthening the labor movement so that we can effectively advocate on behalf of working people. The AFL-CIO recently proposed a way to preserve solidarity at the state and local level that does not penalize local union members for the actions of their national leaders. Currently, the AFL-CIO constitution prohibits state and local organizations that do not have a relationship to the national AFL-CIO from participating in state federations or central labor councils. Solidarity Charters would allow local affiliates of unions formerly associated with the AFL-CIO to participate in state and local AFL-CIO central bodies under certain conditions, for example, adhering to Article 20 no-raid provisions. Unfortunately, two of the breakaway internationals immediately rejected the proposal.

There are issues related to the Solidarity Charters that must be worked out. Clearly, the establishment of such charters is not a substitute for a united labor movement, but it does help to repair some damage potentially created by the ill-advised disaffiliations of these parent unions. Those of us committed to a strong, unified and effective labor movement will continue to do all we can to help these disaffiliated unions at the national level find their way back into the AFL-CIO, where all of us belong.

Why is this so important? The AFL-CIO coordinates efforts on organizing, political action, health and safety, public policy—and many other efforts where the strength of the whole is so much greater than the strength of any individual union.

When an idea that could divide and destroy the labor movement is advanced, those proposing it better have unassailable reasons for doing so. Losing a policy fight or not being able to muster the votes to unseat a person you don’t support are not good enough reasons.

This is not to say that the AFL-CIO is not in need of change. In fact, the AFT and other unions have recommended a number of productive changes. The federation has been responsive to those suggestions and passed a number of far-reaching policy changes at this summer’s convention.

Everyone in this country who is looking to have a better life, a better country and better prospects for their children is set back by anything that weakens the labor movement. The AFT will work with others committed to strengthening the labor movement so that the needs of working people and their families truly can come first.