Working Life

Last night, a meeting was held between representatives of the Change To Win Coalition and a small group of Central Labor Council and State Fed reps. “They are really discouraged,” says my wag early this morning (I’m not even dressed…I can’t speak for my source since we did this my phone…yes, folks, you can call […]

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Wow, have we come a long way or what? The resolutuon against the war in Iraq passed on the floor just moments ago. The convention avoided a bitter debate after the Executive Council and the Resolutions Committee agreed to strengthen the proposed resolution: by replacing the wording around bringing the troops home in the second […]

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Rep. Melissa Bean from Illinois might vote for CAFTA–but she could face the wrath of labor if she does. As will other Democratic members of Congress who vote for the Central American Free Trade Agreement, if a small but growing movement among union presidents takes hold. It’s about time. I’ve argued for a long time […]

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I hear that this morning at a special meeting of the Executive Council (which started at the ungodly hour of 7:30 a.m…ungodly for those who have been out late at night and up early in the a.m…), a motion was passed to add 4 cents to the per capita rate of the affiliates that would […]

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Maybe the Federation’s top officers are going to need to hire a mass police force or enforcement bureau. Because the word at the convention is that many big Central Labor Council and State Feds are not going to be kicking out SEIU and Teamsters’ locals. I chatted with my buddy Mark McKenzie, a firefighter and […]

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Yesterday, I suggested that the delegates need to be told specifics about the money issue. My friend and UAW union brother, Steve Yokich, made a legitimate case (in the comments section) that the Federation should wait. Here’s why I still believe it’s time to face up to it now. Steve says: “I think that the […]

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Up early here my friends to do a little radio interview with our friends at Air America…but figured I’d get a bit of biz done, and, then, I’ll get back with you later. John Sweeney gave his keynote address yesterday. Obviously, it was not a happy day for him–compounded by the rush of reporters leaving […]

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Well, not that this surprises anyone here but, yes, SEIU and the Teamsters have pulled out of the Federation—effective immediately (sorry for the delay—can you believe it, no wireless at the press conference!!!). And I hear from insiders that the UFCW will pull out by the end of the week. As for UNITE HERE, a […]

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Once today passes, some of the attention to the internal political fight will abate–though not entirely disappear (more on that later)–and delegates will be able to focus on other issues. One that is of particular concern is what the Federation’s position will be on the war in Iraq. As I reported last week, there has […]

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Rising here early to jump on Democracy Now! radio program. They wanted a brief soundbite for a lead-in to the program which got me thinking…what is the message this morning? Obviously, the first thing to anticipate is the press conference at 1 p.m. where SEIU will announce it is leaving the Federation. Jim Hoffa, prez […]

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