Union Leader Pitches Independent Labor Movement

The leader of the nation’s largest federation of unions issued a wake-up call to Democrats hoping to expand their presence next year in Washington.

In a speech delivered at the National Press Club in Downtown D.C., AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said the country is in need of an independent labor movement, one that doesn’t necessarily follow in lock-step with a certain party.

“What workers want is an independent labor movement that builds the power of working people — in the workplace and in political life,” Trumka said. “Our role is not to build the power of a political party or a candidate. It is to improve the lives of working families and strengthen our country.”

Typically, Democrats have benefitted the most from unions during elections, but state and local union membership has been slowly trending down in recent years. Trumka challenged Demorcrats to go to bat for labor, or else risk losing its support.

“It doesn’t matter if candidates and parties are controlling the wrecking ball or simply standing aside — the outcome is the same either way. If leaders aren’t blocking the wrecking ball and advancing working families’ interests, working people will not support them. This is where our focus will be — now, in 2012 and beyond.”

Trumka pivoted slightly to focus on what unions have perceived as an anti-labor movement in states where Republican Governors have led charges to limit or take away the collective bargaining rights of public employees. Trumka dispelled the notion voiced by several Governors that their focus is on getting their state’s fiscal house in order, and not singling out union members.

“America’s real deficit is a moral deficit — where political choices come down to forcing foster children to wear hand-me-downs while cutting taxes for profitable corporations,” he said. “Powerful political forces are seeking to silence working people — to drive us out of the national conversation.”

Click here to read more…