In an unusual twist at an unusual AFL-CIO convention, union members picketed other union members to voice their opposition to a split in the federation.
As temperatures rose above 100 degrees, union members calling for solidarity had heated views to share as they walked in a picket line outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel to protest a pending announcement by the Change to Win Coalition.
"Lies and tricks will not divide," a chant called out. "The AFL's on workers' side."
"I think that right now the Business Roundtable, the Associated Building Contractors, the Republican majority and Karl Rove are laughing at us," said Patrick Brennan, Painters Local 277, Atlantic City, New Jersey. "This is their dream come true, labor fighting against itself and imploding. Shame on those other unions."
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| Union members marched outside the hotel where the Change to Win Coalition was meeting. Minneapolis Labor Review photo |
In just a few minutes, members of the Change to Win Coalition would announce that they would not attend the AFL-CIO convention and also could take the next step to vote to disaffiliate.
"You don't make change by boycotting a democratic convention where people debate, argue and vote," said Patricia Moss, president of AFSCME Local 2678, from Columbus, Ohio. "What they're doing is undermining the House of Labor."
She noted: "Do you know what SEIU's slogan is on their web page? 'Stronger united.'"
"I'm outraged that they would divide us," Moss said.
About 35 union members walked the picket line, wearing t-shirts that identified them as members of AFSCME, Communications Workers of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
"There's one thing that's clear to me," another chant called out. "The rest of us have unity."
For more information
Visit the Workday Minnesota special section, Labor's Future
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In an unusual twist at an unusual AFL-CIO convention, union members picketed other union members to voice their opposition to a split in the federation.
As temperatures rose above 100 degrees, union members calling for solidarity had heated views to share as they walked in a picket line outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel to protest a pending announcement by the Change to Win Coalition.
“Lies and tricks will not divide,” a chant called out. “The AFL’s on workers’ side.”
“I think that right now the Business Roundtable, the Associated Building Contractors, the Republican majority and Karl Rove are laughing at us,” said Patrick Brennan, Painters Local 277, Atlantic City, New Jersey. “This is their dream come true, labor fighting against itself and imploding. Shame on those other unions.”
|
| Union members marched outside the hotel where the Change to Win Coalition was meeting.
Minneapolis Labor Review photo |
In just a few minutes, members of the Change to Win Coalition would announce that they would not attend the AFL-CIO convention and also could take the next step to vote to disaffiliate.
“You don’t make change by boycotting a democratic convention where people debate, argue and vote,” said Patricia Moss, president of AFSCME Local 2678, from Columbus, Ohio. “What they’re doing is undermining the House of Labor.”
She noted: “Do you know what SEIU’s slogan is on their web page? ‘Stronger united.'”
“I’m outraged that they would divide us,” Moss said.
About 35 union members walked the picket line, wearing t-shirts that identified them as members of AFSCME, Communications Workers of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
“There’s one thing that’s clear to me,” another chant called out. “The rest of us have unity.”
For more information
Visit the Workday Minnesota special section, Labor’s Future