Just got this exchange between John Sweeney and Anna Burger, chair of the Change To Win federation. As I’ve already reported, both sides are making efforts at extending olive branches to each other in an effort to come to some meeting of the minds on the AFL-CIO’s proposed Solidarity Charters.

On September 28th, Burger sent a letter to Sweeney laying out ways to resolve any remaining differences. Sweeney responded on October 3rd in a letter where he seems to feel that only two issues remain to be resolved. He also adds that any changes in the structure of the Solidarity Charters would need Executive Council approval–so presumably if such a thing is in in the works, it might come up at today’s Executive Council meeting.

Burger responded a day later, where she says, “My letter of September 28, 2005 is a signed settlement on behalf of all CTW Unions, of all issues regarding participation at the state local bodies. Included in the agreement is our proposal to discuss financial support which is included in the overall financial discussion now taking place.”

So, it seems to me that, if the parties are truly trying to reach a deal, it’s within reach. At the same time, CTW has set the stage to set up its own labor councils. Article X of the new federation’s constitution speaks about setting up STATE AND REGIONAL LABOR ALLIANCES, which could include “nonaffiliated unions and other appropriate organizations”–meaning, I suppose, that AFL-CIO unions and even non-labor community organizations could join up.

I’ll stick with my constant position: the more cooperation between the two labor federations, the better. And I hope we’ll see more of that down the road.