Working Life

I’m taking a brief break here from the goings-on at the AFL-CIO to raise the specter of the looming Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). For some time, I’ve referred to CAFTA-like deals as so-called “free trade” deals because they have little to do with the theory of free trade and a whole lot more […]

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A couple of days ago, I posted a note from the president of the Communications Workers of America, Morty Bahr, who questioned my assertion—and that of others—that the rebel unions accounted for 40 percent of the votes of AFL-CIO unions. Morty asserted that the rebels only accounted for 30 percent of the per capita votes—the […]

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In route back to NYC (with a little stop over at O’Hare…letting my lungs recover from the casino smoke) and I got a little note from Morty Bahr, president of CWA: “Your message is misleading….by per capita vote, they garnered less than 30 percent.” Morty was referring to my previous assertion that “they” (meaning the […]

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The AFL-CIO meeting wrapped up late this morning, Vegas time—and with some last minute fireworks between SEIU’s Andy Stern and AFSCME’s Gerry McEntee. Stern distributed a resolution entitled “Resolution to Enforce Mutual Accountability in the Labor Movement’s Campaign for Freedom of Workers to Choose a Voice At Work.” (Okay, not the most Hemingwayesque formulation). The […]

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So, first thoughts as I chug some hot liquid after a brutal late night at the tables. Today, there is an early morning meeting of Working America , a membership organization for non-union workers and retirees (the project has its supporters and detractors but is worth considered discussion—I’ll do that down the road). We’ll see […]

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Yup, the “rebels” press conference is scheduled for less than one hour from now–1:30 Vegas local time. I’ll post as much of the content as possible as fast as possible. Saw Andy Stern (SEIU) and Bruce Raynor (UNITE-HERE) breaking bread this morning with UAW president Ron Gettlefinger at the Bally’s hotel Sidewalk Cafe. Interesting because […]

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The general presidents of the “rebel” caucus met last night. There apparently will be a press briefing today with them. I’ll report in with the full details for people as soon as it’s over–if it happens. Meanwhile, here’s the New York Times’ Steve Greenhouse’s piece from today: Labor Chief and Critics Quarrel AnewBy STEVEN GREENHOUSE […]

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It’s 4:30 and there’s about to be a sit-down between John Sweeney and Jim Hoffa. Sweeney will try to sway Hoffa but I don’t think Hoffa will bite. I don’t think Sweeney really understands the depth of frustration with the bureaucracy at 16th Street. Take the Firefighters—they are not part of the rebels but if […]

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It could be over already—at least as far as this meeting is concerned. Anyone looking for a radical change in the way the AFL-CIO operates is in for some disappointment. As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, it appears that the “rebels” (Teamsters, SEIU, UNITE-HERE, Laborers and UFCW) do not have the votes to push through the […]

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A breakfast conversation with the ubiquitous “senior labor official.”: We have pursued a political electoral strategy to address our organizing deficiencies. We were digging a hole with a shovel and now we’re pursuing a course of let’s get a bigger shovel. In 1995, we had a window, people weren’t against union so we spent a […]

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