I’ve been asked by a lot of people about my opinion of the AFL-CIO’s new blog. My answer has been: what blog?

I encourage more labor blogs to get started. But, the point of a blog is to create conversation and debate. In some ways, the AFL-CIO is doing precisely what its culture dictates: pretend like you’re doing soemthing innovative and different without really doing anything different. It’s too much p.r. and spin, with nothing new.

The space the AFL-CIO created that it labels “blog” appears to me to be no different than the rest of the site: it’s simply offering information (which is fine) but it prevents debate–a long-time hallmark of the AFL-CIO’s culture that pre-dates the Sweeney Administration. No one can post comments. You’re simply asked to absorb more propoganda and be interested in a one-way conversation.

I imagine there was some concern that allowing open debate would draw anti-union voices and some weird stuff. That’s life and you have to be adults about criticism. In this space, there’s been a lot of criticism of my views and even some personal attacks. I can report that I am still alive. And the rationale posters (which also can mean people using very passionate and heated language) end up crowding out the disruptive people.

The fact is the web is precisely about decentralization and opening up the process. So, with due respect, the AFL-CIO “blog” is a disappointment.

My prediction: the AFL-CIO’s “blog” will quickly be forgotten, will attract no interest from people the AFL-CIO should be appealing to (i.e., non-union workers and/or potential allies) and offer very little new to the debate about the future of our movement.

It isn’t too late, though. Save yourselves. Open up the comments section.