Two days before the national AFL-CIO convention was set to begin, delegates who represent local central labor councils and state federations cheered AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and his lieutenants at a late afternoon gathering.
Sweeney is facing a challenge to his leadership from the Change to Win Coalition, six international unions who may leave the AFL-CIO if their reform proposals aren't enacted.
"We cannot afford to be fragmented and weakened," Sweeney said. "Our labor movement must survive? It's so important we fight against the forces of greed, intolerance and injustice."
"Our president has made very effort to keep this labor movement together," said Bob Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. "I'm so proud of this AFL-CIO because you're responding to the reformers' requests. I think you've put together some great proposals."
Sweeney said his leadership team's proposals reflected a commitment "to develop our strength at the central labor union councils and state labor federations."
"We asked for and got many proposals from CLCs and state federations about what you need to be successful," he said. "We embraced the call of CLCs and state federations."
If some or all of the six unions pull out of the national AFL-CIO, the move also would pull out those unions' members from local central labor councils and state federations.
"It would be catastrophic for our councils," said Paul Johnston, secretary-treasurer of the Monterey Bay, California Central Labor Council.
An AFL-CIO split could threaten the type of success seen in Minnesota during the 2004 election campaign, said Jimmy Williams, president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. Williams spent time in Minnesota during the campaign working with the state's unions. "Everybody participated," he said. Labor unity in Minnesota in 2004 resulted in key wins for labor-endorsed candidates in the the Legislature and a victory for presidential candidate John Kerry in the state.
Williams urged delegates: "It's up to you to start talking and saying, 'Don't break up, don't break up our central labor bodies and state federations!'"
"You are absolutely essential to what is going on this weekend and throughout next week," said Sweeney, whose remarks received enthusiastic applause. "I need support for our 'Winning for Working Families' plan and for our budget."
Central labor council delegates from the Twin Cities and from greater Minnesota attended the meeting with the Sweeney team.
For more information
Visit the Workday Minnesota special section, Labor's Future
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Two days before the national AFL-CIO convention was set to begin, delegates who represent local central labor councils and state federations cheered AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and his lieutenants at a late afternoon gathering.
Sweeney is facing a challenge to his leadership from the Change to Win Coalition, six international unions who may leave the AFL-CIO if their reform proposals aren’t enacted.
“We cannot afford to be fragmented and weakened,” Sweeney said. “Our labor movement must survive? It’s so important we fight against the forces of greed, intolerance and injustice.”
“Our president has made very effort to keep this labor movement together,” said Bob Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “I’m so proud of this AFL-CIO because you’re responding to the reformers’ requests. I think you’ve put together some great proposals.”
Sweeney said his leadership team’s proposals reflected a commitment “to develop our strength at the central labor union councils and state labor federations.”
“We asked for and got many proposals from CLCs and state federations about what you need to be successful,” he said. “We embraced the call of CLCs and state federations.”
If some or all of the six unions pull out of the national AFL-CIO, the move also would pull out those unions’ members from local central labor councils and state federations.
“It would be catastrophic for our councils,” said Paul Johnston, secretary-treasurer of the Monterey Bay, California Central Labor Council.
An AFL-CIO split could threaten the type of success seen in Minnesota during the 2004 election campaign, said Jimmy Williams, president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. Williams spent time in Minnesota during the campaign working with the state’s unions. “Everybody participated,” he said. Labor unity in Minnesota in 2004 resulted in key wins for labor-endorsed candidates in the the Legislature and a victory for presidential candidate John Kerry in the state.
Williams urged delegates: “It’s up to you to start talking and saying, ‘Don’t break up, don’t break up our central labor bodies and state federations!'”
“You are absolutely essential to what is going on this weekend and throughout next week,” said Sweeney, whose remarks received enthusiastic applause. “I need support for our ‘Winning for Working Families’ plan and for our budget.”
Central labor council delegates from the Twin Cities and from greater Minnesota attended the meeting with the Sweeney team.
For more information
Visit the Workday Minnesota special section, Labor’s Future