Concerned that rancorous debate among national unions could irreparably harm the future of the labor movement, Minnesota unionists are issuing a call for unity.
The unusual effort was started by Jim Meyer, state political coordinator for the Communications Workers of America. About a month ago, he started gathering signatures on a letter citing concern "that our solidarity is in jeopardy." He plans to send the letter to national union leaders the week before they go to Chicago for a historic national AFL-CIO convention.
"The goal is to make our message heard from Minnesota to those big boys out in Washington," Meyer said. "Let 'em know how the people of Minnesota feel about what the heck they're doing out there."
For the past several months, national union leaders have been engaged in public, often heated debate about the future of the labor movement. Led by Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern, a group of unions is questioning the AFL-CIO's commitment to organizing and whether it is the right organization to build organized labor. They have threatened to leave the AFL-CIO if their concerns aren't addressed. In response, scores of unions, affiliated organizations and individuals have drafted proposals outlining their vision.
The last week of July, union leaders gather for the national AFL-CIO convention in Chicago to consider perhaps the first restructuring of the labor federation since the AFL and CIO merged 50 years ago.
Many people in Minnesota do not feel they have been consulted during this debate and everyone he has contacted agrees with the text of the letter, Meyer said, although some declined to sign it for fear of possible retribution within their unions.
"Most people think it (the letter) is a good thing," he noted. "It doesn't point a finger at either side."
Minnesota unions carried the state for presidential candidate John Kerry last year and elected many labor-endorsed officials at the state and local level, Meyer said. That success could be jeopardized if the labor movement fails to stay united.
"The other side doesn't have to worry about splitting us ? we're doing it all on our own," he said. "We're going to lose the 2006 elections before 2006 even gets here."
The one-paragraph letter, addressed to national AFL-CIO Executive Board members, reads:
"Unions in Minnesota have a long history of working very well together. Labor 2004 and the presidential election results show just how well unions in Minnesota work together, but we are concerned that our solidarity is in jeopardy. We are asking that ALL unions consider how labor will be hurt if we allow our differences to divide us. At a time when labor has been under relentless attack by President Bush, we need to be united, not divided. We are hoping that all issues can be resolved within the AFL-CIO so we can carry on the fight in a united front. Our future is at stake!"
The letter is signed "Concerned Minnesota Union Leaders."
So far, local officers of the following unions have signed the letter: CWA, National Association of Letter Carriers, American Postal Workers Union, Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, St. Paul Teachers Federation, Minnesota Nurses Association and the Transportation Communications Union. Meyer said he is in contact with many other unions, starting with the SEIU, Teamsters and other unions that have challenged the AFL-CIO.
His deadline is July 13. He then plans to mail, fax and e-mail the signed letter to the national AFL-CIO Executive Council.
To sign onto the letter or for more information, call or e-mail Meyer at 651-263-5875, jimbo@cwalocal7250.org
For more information
Read more on the debate within the AFL-CIO at the Workday Minnesota special section, Labor's Future
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Concerned that rancorous debate among national unions could irreparably harm the future of the labor movement, Minnesota unionists are issuing a call for unity.
The unusual effort was started by Jim Meyer, state political coordinator for the Communications Workers of America. About a month ago, he started gathering signatures on a letter citing concern “that our solidarity is in jeopardy.” He plans to send the letter to national union leaders the week before they go to Chicago for a historic national AFL-CIO convention.
“The goal is to make our message heard from Minnesota to those big boys out in Washington,” Meyer said. “Let ’em know how the people of Minnesota feel about what the heck they’re doing out there.”
For the past several months, national union leaders have been engaged in public, often heated debate about the future of the labor movement. Led by Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern, a group of unions is questioning the AFL-CIO’s commitment to organizing and whether it is the right organization to build organized labor. They have threatened to leave the AFL-CIO if their concerns aren’t addressed. In response, scores of unions, affiliated organizations and individuals have drafted proposals outlining their vision.
The last week of July, union leaders gather for the national AFL-CIO convention in Chicago to consider perhaps the first restructuring of the labor federation since the AFL and CIO merged 50 years ago.
Many people in Minnesota do not feel they have been consulted during this debate and everyone he has contacted agrees with the text of the letter, Meyer said, although some declined to sign it for fear of possible retribution within their unions.
“Most people think it (the letter) is a good thing,” he noted. “It doesn’t point a finger at either side.”
Minnesota unions carried the state for presidential candidate John Kerry last year and elected many labor-endorsed officials at the state and local level, Meyer said. That success could be jeopardized if the labor movement fails to stay united.
“The other side doesn’t have to worry about splitting us ? we’re doing it all on our own,” he said. “We’re going to lose the 2006 elections before 2006 even gets here.”
The one-paragraph letter, addressed to national AFL-CIO Executive Board members, reads:
“Unions in Minnesota have a long history of working very well together. Labor 2004 and the presidential election results show just how well unions in Minnesota work together, but we are concerned that our solidarity is in jeopardy. We are asking that ALL unions consider how labor will be hurt if we allow our differences to divide us. At a time when labor has been under relentless attack by President Bush, we need to be united, not divided. We are hoping that all issues can be resolved within the AFL-CIO so we can carry on the fight in a united front. Our future is at stake!”
The letter is signed “Concerned Minnesota Union Leaders.”
So far, local officers of the following unions have signed the letter: CWA, National Association of Letter Carriers, American Postal Workers Union, Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, St. Paul Teachers Federation, Minnesota Nurses Association and the Transportation Communications Union. Meyer said he is in contact with many other unions, starting with the SEIU, Teamsters and other unions that have challenged the AFL-CIO.
His deadline is July 13. He then plans to mail, fax and e-mail the signed letter to the national AFL-CIO Executive Council.
To sign onto the letter or for more information, call or e-mail Meyer at 651-263-5875, jimbo@cwalocal7250.org
For more information
Read more on the debate within the AFL-CIO at the Workday Minnesota special section, Labor’s Future