AFL-CIO Unveils a Union with a Difference

[Khephra]

AFL-CIO Unveils a Union with a Difference
Sun August 31, 2003 11:19 AM ET
By Deborah Zabarenko

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Besides the customary picnics and parades, Labor Day this year promises something a bit different: a union for U.S. workers that has nothing to do with collective bargaining.

The giant AFL-CIO labor federation plans to unveil what its president, John Sweeney, called a new union -- Working America, which will seek U.S. workers who want to "speak out and work to change the direction of this country."

"We will recruit for Working America in communities nationwide, including knocking on doors to build support for an even bigger push for legislation and policies which help working families," Sweeney told reporters last week in advance of Monday's U.S. Labor Day holiday.

Sweeney said he would formally announce the formation of the new union on Wednesday in Detroit.

more............

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3364097

[BayCityProgressive]

1. AWESOME

Can't wait to join :D

[cmd]

2. This has possibilities

I want to find out more.

[tokenlib]

3. Sounds like an answer for us stuck in non-union workplaces...

Not enough of my fellow workers have seen the light--and a lot of us who can only dream of being a part of a union might find this appealing..

[InkAddict]

4. Question: After one has "rolled off"

is one still considered the head of a "working" family? Needed: American vet needs constructive employment with a living wage NOW. Is anyone on DU a "recruiter"?

:nuke:

[Eloriel]

5. BRILLIANT!

I can't wait to join too.

Eloriel

[tinnypriv]

6. A union that is not a union?

Eh?

[w4rma]

7. IMHO, this is smart (n/t)

[bvar22]

8. WOW, this could give WORKING AMERICANS...

...a venue to collectively bargain with our government....an actual voice that the corporate lackeys leading the two parties would be forced to listen to. Our current electoral system surely isn't working.

This could be the birth of a viable third party, or force the rebirth of the Democratic Party.

[w4rma]

10. The Democratic Party consists of many varied groups under a "big tent"

This plan will increase the size and strength of one of those groups.

[TahitiNut]

9. Sounds like an 'undergraduate' AARP.

I'm predisposed to like the idea.

[Wwagsthedog]

11. I'm confused

Good idea but,

What do the 9+ million unemployed do for representation?

What about the unanimity of unions v/v ABB?

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=1&u=/ap/20030831/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

<snip>
"This year, the president is marking Labor Day in Richfield, Ohio, where he will address members of the International Union of Operating Engineers and their families."
<snip>
"While labor leaders acknowledge some positive economic reports, they also point to the nation's 6.2 percent unemployment rate in July and the 2.7 million net jobs that have been lost in the economy since the recession began in March 2001."
<snip>
"Bush began his first week back in Washington after a monthlong stay at his Texas ranch with a Sunday church service. The president and first lady, who returned from Crawford, Texas, on Saturday afternoon, joined about 75 others at an 8 a.m. service at St. John's Church near the White House.

A sermon by the Rev. Spencer M. Rice implored followers to keep their souls clean of negative, external influences, and refuse to be directed by what others do. "The question is, Do we open ourselves up to the germs?" he asked.
<snip>

What germs? Those of employment?

:freak:

[zekeson]

12. big potential here

lets hope this one unfolds as good as it sounds up front. We'lll be looking it over locally as more details roll out.

[stickdog]

13. We the people, in order to form a more perfect union ... (NT)