Labor splits; Dems worried
The media is covering Democratic reaction to the AFL-CIO break-up as if it was the life blood of any campaign. Well, more than likely, for many Dem campaigns, it has been the life blood. The GOTV programs that Labor has instituted have been more than helpful. But shouldn't we be worried about the workers, before we start worrying about the phone banks and financial contributions to our campaigns?
The biggest union to bolt is SEIU, which has 1.8 million members. In Houston, this group has been quite busy organizing janitors. According to SEIU, about 500 Houston janitors were joined by community organizations, churches, prominent elected officials, and janitors from across the country who have already joined together with the Service Employees International Union to win livable wages, family health insurance, and full-time work.
So, SEIU has proven that it is much more interested in protecting and organizing workers at this point in time--which is what unions should be doing. This is also the main point of contention. The unions that are bolting are saying that AFL-CIO must switch gears from being a political activity group to one that is more committed to organizing workers.
Dem consultant Chris Lehane hits it on the head, "The approach represented by progressive reform organizations like the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) represents the future — they grow in size, they have fresh ideas, they understand message in the media age, they connect with the middle class," said Democratic strategist Chris Lehane. "These groups are on the right side of history."
We need to remember that this is bigger than the Democratic Party. As much as some will be wincing at all of these things happening to Labor, I think we all just need to chill and let matters work themselves out and accept whatever happens. One way or another, a progressive, labor-oriented message will continue to be produced. Besides, aren't we all about message now? Better to be progressive than running to the right.
The biggest union to bolt is SEIU, which has 1.8 million members. In Houston, this group has been quite busy organizing janitors. According to SEIU, about 500 Houston janitors were joined by community organizations, churches, prominent elected officials, and janitors from across the country who have already joined together with the Service Employees International Union to win livable wages, family health insurance, and full-time work.
So, SEIU has proven that it is much more interested in protecting and organizing workers at this point in time--which is what unions should be doing. This is also the main point of contention. The unions that are bolting are saying that AFL-CIO must switch gears from being a political activity group to one that is more committed to organizing workers.
Dem consultant Chris Lehane hits it on the head, "The approach represented by progressive reform organizations like the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) represents the future — they grow in size, they have fresh ideas, they understand message in the media age, they connect with the middle class," said Democratic strategist Chris Lehane. "These groups are on the right side of history."
We need to remember that this is bigger than the Democratic Party. As much as some will be wincing at all of these things happening to Labor, I think we all just need to chill and let matters work themselves out and accept whatever happens. One way or another, a progressive, labor-oriented message will continue to be produced. Besides, aren't we all about message now? Better to be progressive than running to the right.
posted by Dos Centavos at 9:30 AM
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