Labor Union Blog

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• Report from Wednesday at the AFL-CIO Convention
  

Today is a great day at the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention: Delegates just elected a historic ticket. Our new President Richard Trumka will be joined in leadership by two women, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. Shuler, 39, is the youngest person ever to become an officer of the AFL-CIO. The dynamic team will lead the union movement into an exciting future.

Trumka, who previously served as AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, Shuler, formerly the executive assistant to Electrical Workers (IBEW) President Edwin Hill, and Holt Baker, who was re-elected as executive vice president, were voted into office by acclamation this afternoon.

Trumka reflected on his upbringing in a union family in western Pennsylvania and talked about the changes and challenges that we as a union movement are facing:

Even though the face of the American labor movement has changed, one thing hasn’t: It’s that the surest, the fastest, most effective way to lift workers and our families into the middle-class is with the strength, that can only, only come with a union contract.

And, sisters and brothers, that fundamental truth hasn’t been more critical to the future of this country than it is right now because, today, the American middle-class isn’t being squeezed—we are being crushed.

The mirage of prosperity through borrowed money has dissolved—and now we’re left with the reality of a hollowed-out economy and a broken financial system.

Even though it wasn’t the labor movement that got us into this mess, we are the people who are going to lead America out of it. But we can only do it if we seize this moment—we can only do it if we act now—we can only do it if we provide the leadership working Americans are demanding.

Well, today I’m telling you that we will seize this moment. We will act, we will lead, and, by God, we will win! The American labor movement can turn our country around—and together that’s exactly what we’re going to do!

But to do it, we need a new kind of labor movement—one shaped to meet the needs of Americans in a changing economy.

Trumka was nominated by outgoing AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who praised his energy and dedication.

Shuler promised she would manage the AFL-CIO’s finances responsibly and transparently, accountable to members, and she would make it a top priority to reach out to young workers to sustain unions for future generations:

We need to revitalize and unify labor at every level. We need to reach out to unorganized workers—especially those under 35—who, for whatever reason, don’t see us as the answer to the economic problems they face.

We know what young people are capable of—we worked side by side with them last year in a political campaign to make real change happen. We watched them organize and spread a message of hope to the American people, and we’ve got to build on those bonds of solidarity that were forged in the heat of the campaign.

Shuler’s name was placed into nomination by Hill, who spoke of her energy and organizing skills, calling her “the right choice at this pivotal time”:

Liz Shuler is going to do for you what she has done for us: be part of a team that will confront all obstacles, win new victories and promote the solidarity and spirit that represent the best of our movement.

Holt Baker said that her mission would be passage of the Employee Free Choice Act and reaching out to a new generation of workers, to give them a chance at the American dream:

We’re not just concerned about labor’s family. Our fight is really about ensuring life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all families.

As we engage that pursuit, our themes may change, but our mission remains steadfast.

I believe with every fiber in my body that our movement must keep on ensuring that millions of workers in this country have the dignity and respect they deserve. That means good wages, decent pensions, affordable health care and continuous job training. If we don’t fight for these securities, who will?

The current system is broken. So together we’ve got to fight to fix it like our lives depended on it. Because they do.

In addition to the top three officers, convention delegates elected 51 vice presidents who will make up the AFL-CIO Executive Council.

Here’s what a few union delegates are hoping to see from the new leadership:

Bev Curphey of IBEW 728, Palm Beach, Fla.:

I would tell the new leadership that diversity is the number one priority. It is important to bring all working families into the labor movement, embrace new workers and mentor them.

Tanya James of UMWA 9909, Fairmont, W.Va.:

I hope the new leadership doesn’t lose sight of those who have fallen on the job.

Today is a great day at the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention: Delegates just elected a historic ticket. Our new President Richard Trumka will be joined in leadership by two women, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. Shuler, 39, is the youngest person ever to become an officer of the AFL-CIO. The dynamic team will lead the union movement into an exciting future.

Trumka, who previously served as AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, Shuler, formerly the executive assistant to Electrical Workers (IBEW) President Edwin Hill, and Holt Baker, who was re-elected as executive vice president, were voted into office by acclamation this afternoon.

Trumka reflected on his upbringing in a union family in western Pennsylvania and talked about the changes and challenges that we as a union movement are facing:

Even though the face of the American labor movement has changed, one thing hasn’t: It’s that the surest, the fastest, most effective way to lift workers and our families into the middle-class is with the strength, that can only, only come with a union contract.

And, sisters and brothers, that fundamental truth hasn’t been more critical to the future of this country than it is right now because, today, the American middle-class isn’t being squeezed—we are being crushed.

The mirage of prosperity through borrowed money has dissolved—and now we’re left with the reality of a hollowed-out economy and a broken financial system.

Even though it wasn’t the labor movement that got us into this mess, we are the people who are going to lead America out of it. But we can only do it if we seize this moment—we can only do it if we act now—we can only do it if we provide the leadership working Americans are demanding.

Well, today I’m telling you that we will seize this moment. We will act, we will lead, and, by God, we will win! The American labor movement can turn our country around—and together that’s exactly what we’re going to do!

But to do it, we need a new kind of labor movement—one shaped to meet the needs of Americans in a changing economy.

Trumka was nominated by outgoing AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who praised his energy and dedication.

Shuler promised she would manage the AFL-CIO’s finances responsibly and transparently, accountable to members, and she would make it a top priority to reach out to young workers to sustain unions for future generations:

We need to revitalize and unify labor at every level. We need to reach out to unorganized workers—especially those under 35—who, for whatever reason, don’t see us as the answer to the economic problems they face.

We know what young people are capable of—we worked side by side with them last year in a political campaign to make real change happen. We watched them organize and spread a message of hope to the American people, and we’ve got to build on those bonds of solidarity that were forged in the heat of the campaign.

Shuler’s name was placed into nomination by Hill, who spoke of her energy and organizing skills, calling her “the right choice at this pivotal time”:

Liz Shuler is going to do for you what she has done for us: be part of a team that will confront all obstacles, win new victories and promote the solidarity and spirit that represent the best of our movement.

Holt Baker said that her mission would be passage of the Employee Free Choice Act and reaching out to a new generation of workers, to give them a chance at the American dream:

We’re not just concerned about labor’s family. Our fight is really about ensuring life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all families.

As we engage that pursuit, our themes may change, but our mission remains steadfast.

I believe with every fiber in my body that our movement must keep on ensuring that millions of workers in this country have the dignity and respect they deserve. That means good wages, decent pensions, affordable health care and continuous job training. If we don’t fight for these securities, who will?

The current system is broken. So together we’ve got to fight to fix it like our lives depended on it. Because they do.

In addition to the top three officers, convention delegates elected 51 vice presidents who will make up the AFL-CIO Executive Council.

Here’s what a few union delegates are hoping to see from the new leadership:

Bev Curphey of IBEW 728, Palm Beach, Fla.:

I would tell the new leadership that diversity is the number one priority. It is important to bring all working families into the labor movement, embrace new workers and mentor them.

Tanya James of UMWA 9909, Fairmont, W.Va.:

I hope the new leadership doesn’t lose sight of those who have fallen on the job.

Of the 51 vice presidents elected today to the AFL-CIO Executive Council, there are eight new additions, who are expanding the range of voices that will be heard. We congratulate the following new vice presidents of the AFL-CIO:

• Patrick Finley, Plasterers and Cement Masons (OP&CMIA)

• Mike Futhey, United Transportation Union (UTU)

• D. Michael Langford, Utility Workers (UWUA)

• Robert McEllrath, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)

• Roberta Reardon, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)

• John Ryan, Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Works (GMP)

• DeMaurice Smith, Professional Athletes

• Baldemar Velasquez, Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC)

Of the 51 vice presidents elected today to the AFL-CIO Executive Council, there are nine new additions, who are expanding the range of voices that will be heard. We congratulate the following new vice presidents of the AFL-CIO:

• Patrick D. Finley, Plasterers and Cement Masons (OP&CMIA)
• M.B. “Mike” Futhey, United Transportation Union (UTU)
• Newton Jones, Boilermakers (IBB)
• D. Michael Langford, Utility Workers (UWUA)
• Robert McEllrath, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
• Roberta Reardon, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)
• John Ryan, Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Works (GMP)
• DeMaurice Smith, Professional Athletes
• Baldemar Velasquez, Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC)

The Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform proposal released this morning falls far short of the comprehensive reform that would provide working families with the quality and affordable health they desperately need, say health care advocates.

In a statement this morning, outgoing AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says the bill

“fails to meet the most basic health care needs of working families and it fails to meet the expectations we have set for our nation.”

The labor leaders say the Finance Committee bill’s reliance on so-called health care co-ops as an alternative to a public option

fails to put pressure on private insurers to control health care costs. There is no history or logic behind the claim that health care co-ops would provide real competition for the giant private insurers that have a stranglehold on health coverage today.

While the bill’s main author, committee chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), spent weeks trying to win some moderate Republican backing for the plan, not a single GOP senator has endorsed it. One key Finance Committee Democrat has already announced he will oppose the Baucus bill unless significant changes are made.

Along with dropping the public health insurance option-which is part of the House bill (H.R. 3200) and the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pension (HELP) committee bill-the Baucus bill also taxes some health plans and individuals who fail to buy private insurance, while providing no penalties to irresponsible employers who do not provide coverage.

While taxing group plans that may have higher costs because the plans cover older workers, workers with worse than average health histories or who simply live in higher cost areas, it imposes no taxes high cost individual plans.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), a long-time advocate of health care reform, says because the bill abandons the public health insurance option-among other objections–

there is no way in present form I will vote for it. Therefore, I will not vote for it unless it changes during the amendment process by vast amounts… I am putting down a marker, which I think others should put down, too, who might feel the same way I do.

There are, some provisions in the bill that do provide important insurance industry reforms and improvements in how health care is delivered and paid for with a focus on quality over quantity. But say the AFL-CIO leaders

But the proposal’s strong points are nowhere near sufficient to outweigh its problems. However well intentioned the attempts at bipartisanship, the final product reflects the bankrupt policies of the past more than the forward-looking policies needed to drive meaningful health care reform.

We are counting on finance committee Democrats to fix the bill and side with working families, not insurance companies.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to begin mark-up of the bill-when improving amendments can added-next week. The Senate HELP committee has approved its version and action on the House legislation is expected later this month.

The Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform proposal released this morning falls far short of the comprehensive reform that would provide working families with the quality and affordable health they desperately need, say health care advocates.

In a statement this morning, outgoing AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says the bill

“fails to meet the most basic health care needs of working families and it fails to meet the expectations we have set for our nation.”

The labor leaders say the Finance Committee bill’s reliance on so-called health care co-ops as an alternative to a public option

fails to put pressure on private insurers to control health care costs. There is no history or logic behind the claim that health care co-ops would provide real competition for the giant private insurers that have a stranglehold on health coverage today.

While the bill’s main author, committee chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), spent weeks trying to win some moderate Republican backing for the plan, not a single GOP senator has endorsed it. One key Finance Committee Democrat has already announced he will oppose the Baucus bill unless significant changes are made.

Along with dropping the public health insurance option-which is part of the House bill (H.R. 3200) and the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pension (HELP) committee bill-the Baucus bill also taxes some health plans and individuals who fail to buy private insurance, while providing no penalties to irresponsible employers who do not provide coverage.

While taxing group plans that may have higher costs because the plans cover older workers, workers with worse than average health histories or who simply live in higher cost areas, it imposes no taxes high cost individual plans.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), a long-time advocate of health care reform, says because the bill abandons the public health insurance option-among other objections–

there is no way in present form I will vote for it. Therefore, I will not vote for it unless it changes during the amendment process by vast amounts… I am putting down a marker, which I think others should put down, too, who might feel the same way I do.

There are, some provisions in the bill that do provide important insurance industry reforms and improvements in how health care is delivered and paid for with a focus on quality over quantity. But say the AFL-CIO leaders

But the proposal’s strong points are nowhere near sufficient to outweigh its problems. However well intentioned the attempts at bipartisanship, the final product reflects the bankrupt policies of the past more than the forward-looking policies needed to drive meaningful health care reform.

We are counting on finance committee Democrats to fix the bill and side with working families, not insurance companies.

The Finance Committee is scheduled to begin mark-up of the bill-when improving amendments can added-next week. The Senate HELP committee has approved its version and action on the House legislation is expected later this month.

UMWA President Cecil Roberts said the resolution on diversity is ‘about the labor movement. When we open doors, we build for the future.’

The diversity of the union movement is its strength. Building on the success of the historic Resolution 2 passed in 2005, the AFL-CIO Convention adopted a far-ranging policy to create more inclusive unions and a more diverse leadership.

The resolutions, “A Diverse and Democratic Labor Movement” and “Unions Should Give People with Disabilities a Voice and a Face,” call on unions to reach out at every level to build diversity.

The resolutions require every state federation and central local bodies to establish concrete goals for expanding diversity in their leadership. We also will increase our commitment to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers and workers with disabilities at all levels. And to secure the future of the union movement, we will actively recruit, train and include young workers in all activities and programs and provide opportunities for leadership.

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy said the union movement stands on the threshold of a crusade to rebuild the middle class. The progress made in including new workers in union leadership has chipped away at one more source of divisiveness in our movement. He praised the unions for successfully carrying out the mandate of Resolution 2 to make convention delegations more inclusive—43 percent of delegates are women or people of color.

Speaking on the need to reach out to workers with disabilities, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President Greg Junemann, who is legally blind, said the union movement provides opportunities for people with disabilities.

I’m lucky to be in a union that doesn’t care about your eyesight but your clarity of vision.   

Actor Robert David Hall also spoke out, saying unions are the one place where disabled workers will find champions that will fight for their rights.

Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Wohlforth and AFT Vice President Laura Rico pointed out that in 32 states workers can be fired for their sexual preferences. As Wohlforth says:

A person should not be discriminated against because of who they love.

In an emotional statement, Mine Workers (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts said the resolutions are not about people of color or women or lesbians and gays:

This is about the labor movement. When we open doors, we build for the future. There are workers who are not in this movement who will tell us they never met us, but they know us. The question is what will they know about us? What I want them to know about us is that the door is wide open. We celebrate diversity. We are not afraid of diversity.     

Another key element of building a diverse union movement and creating a new economic agenda is immigration reform. Yesterday, the union movement recommitted to immigration reform that fully protects U.S. workers, reduces exploitation of immigrant workers and reduces employer incentives to hire undocumented workers rather than U.S. workers.

United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo Gerard said the most effective way to do that is for all workers—both native born and immigrant—to be protected by labor, health and safety and other laws—and especially to have freedom to form unions and bargain.

The resolution passed by the convention calls on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that provides for shared prosperity. The framework for reform is based on an approach developed by former Labor Secretary Ray Marshall and the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) that calls for a practical pathway to citizenship and protection of immigrant workers’ rights.

UMWA President Cecil Roberts said the resolution on diversity is ‘about the labor movement. When we open doors, we build for the future.’

The diversity of the union movement is its strength. Building on the success of the historic Resolution 2 passed in 2005, the AFL-CIO Convention adopted a far-ranging policy to create more inclusive unions and a more diverse leadership.

The resolutions, “A Diverse and Democratic Labor Movement” and “Unions Should Give People with Disabilities a Voice and a Face,” call on unions to reach out at every level to build diversity.

The resolutions require every state federation and central local bodies to establish concrete goals for expanding diversity in their leadership. We also will increase our commitment to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers and workers with disabilities at all levels. And to secure the future of the union movement, we will actively recruit, train and include young workers in all activities and programs and provide opportunities for leadership.

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer William Lucy said the union movement stands on the threshold of a crusade to rebuild the middle class. The progress made in including new workers in union leadership has chipped away at one more source of divisiveness in our movement. He praised the unions for successfully carrying out the mandate of Resolution 2 to make convention delegations more inclusive—43 percent of delegates are women or people of color.

Speaking on the need to reach out to workers with disabilities, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President Greg Junemann, who is legally blind, said the union movement provides opportunities for people with disabilities.

I’m lucky to be in a union that doesn’t care about your eyesight but your clarity of vision.   

Actor Robert David Hall also spoke out, saying unions are the one place where disabled workers will find champions that will fight for their rights.

Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Wohlforth and AFT Vice President Laura Rico pointed out that in 32 states workers can be fired for their sexual preferences. As Wohlforth says:

A person should not be discriminated against because of who they love.

In an emotional statement, Mine Workers (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts said the resolutions are not about people of color or women or lesbians and gays:

This is about the labor movement. When we open doors, we build for the future. There are workers who are not in this movement who will tell us they never met us, but they know us. The question is what will they know about us? What I want them to know about us is that the door is wide open. We celebrate diversity. We are not afraid of diversity.     

Another key element of building a diverse union movement and creating a new economic agenda is immigration reform. Yesterday, the union movement recommitted to immigration reform that fully protects U.S. workers, reduces exploitation of immigrant workers and reduces employer incentives to hire undocumented workers rather than U.S. workers.

United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo Gerard said the most effective way to do that is for all workers—both native born and immigrant—to be protected by labor, health and safety and other laws—and especially to have freedom to form unions and bargain.

The resolution passed by the convention calls on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform that provides for shared prosperity. The framework for reform is based on an approach developed by former Labor Secretary Ray Marshall and the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) that calls for a practical pathway to citizenship and protection of immigrant workers’ rights.