Date: Tue, 01 Aug 1995 08:55:41 -0500
From: Scott-AT-rednet.org (Scott Marshall)
Subject: changes in US labor


Yesterday I attended a rally in Chicago for the "New Visions for American
Labor" slate for the top offices of the AFL-CIO. Very interesting. About
1500 to 2000 at Union Park a historic gathering place for the labor movement
in Chicago.

A few observations:

1) The militance and the fightback from below are the main force pushing
this development. The rank and file from the "Illinois War Zone" strikes of
Caterpillar, Staley (lockout - boycott Pepsi everywhere), and
Bridgestone/Firestone are indicative of the militant trade unionists pushing
this change. The rank and file are more militant, more anti-corporate than
the New Vision slate, but there is real unity of purpose in making a change.
At this rally the other significant rank and file force was the coal miners
who have been through several sharp strikes in the last five years.

2) Richard Trumka, president of the United Mine Workers (UMWA) is by far the
most dynamic and presents the most far reaching vision of change. John
Sweeny Service Employees (SEIU) is at best a transitional figure in where
this is all going. To be sure he represents a break with some of the worst
of Kirklands brand of unionism, but he ain't the driver of the movement.
Linda Chavez Thompson is the first woman and first Mexican American to be
nominated for the top leadership of the AFL-CIO. That in itself is of
tremendous significance. She is however more in the mold of Sweeny than of
Trumka.

3) The New Vision program is quite a step forward for US labor in the
following areas: (not in order of significance) Moves toward political
independence. Consciously anti-racist and somewhat anti-chauvanist. Strong
against the right and ultra right and links them to the corporations. Sees
the need for broad working class coalitions. Seeks to speak for all workers
and working people, not just union members. Sees the need for massive
restructuring to organize the unorganized. To differing degrees - sees the
need to reform and democratize the internal workings of the labor movement.

4) This is only the beginning of what is going to be a powerful upsurge.
Those who get by the personalities and understand the forces at work here,
and the class struggle nature of the changes taking place will be in a
postion to inject the left and marxism into these developments: will be in a
postion to help develop this upsurge into class and socialist consciousness.
Those on the sidelines 'debating' the details and pontificating will be on
the sidelines debating and pontificating. In the position of yelling, "Wait,
there go the masses, don't they know I'm supposed to be in front." You have
to see and understand not only what is new and developing, but you must see
and understand it as a process. There is some real energy flowing here.
Armchairs are comfortable places but not very dynamic. 

Scott



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