Largest Union Splits

July 25, 2005

An interesting development for unions and the Democratic party. The AFL-CIO, the largest union in the United States, split. Leaving the AFL-CIO are the The SEIU, Teamsters, United Food and Commercial Workers and UNTIE HERE, These four unions make up one-third of the AFL-CIO's 13 million members. and more than $20 million of an estimated $120 million AFL-CIO budget.

"Our goal is not to divide the labor movement but to rebuild it," said Andy Stern, president of the 1.8 million-member Service Employees International Union.

"The labor movement belongs to all of us," said John Sweeney, AFL-CIO president, "and our future should not be dictated by the demands of any group or the ambitions of any individuals."

Much of the $120 Million budget goes to Democratic candidates and to political operations that benefit the Democratic Party. In opposition, the Change to Win Coalition pushed the AFL-CIO to shift focus from such political activities to recruiting new members.

"They said no," Jimmy Hoffa, Jr (Teamster President). Their idea is to keep throwing money at politicians."

"We're in uncharted waters," said Democratic consultant David Axelrod of Chicago. "Obviously, you have to believe a unified and coordinated effort is better than a disparate one.

Commentary

This surprising move today bolsters my idea that the Democratic party has no focus and no direction. Their goal is to remain in power. The trajedy of today's events is continues to be the fact that the Democratic party is becoming less and less effective in speaking for the common person. The splinter unions realize that they can not count on Washington or government to solve their problems.

They are right. Most people who are Democrats look to the government to be their savior, their parent. They expect the government to provide for their every need. Democrats, you need to realize that if you want anything done in your life, you've got to do it yourself. All basic conservative ideals.

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