Labor Divided
In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, Volume 52, Issue 4, p. 27-34
ISSN: 0012-3846
Circumstances responsible for the gradual fragmentation of the US labor movement, exemplified by the withdrawal of Service Employees International Union & the United Food and Commercial Workers from the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, are investigated. Interviews were conducted with leaders (N = undetermined) from the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations & other labor unions to determine the reasons behind the divided nature of the US labor movement. Although splinter groups within the labor movement question the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organization's capacity to strengthen organizing programs, it is contended that the movements measured breakup will jeopardize key labor organization projects including Working America. Attention is subsequently dedicated to ascertaining whether the massive national membership drives are actually beneficial to the US labor movement. Regardless of the advantages & consequences of such organizing strategies, it is stressed that such large-scale membership drives have closed the distance between conservative & liberal unions. It is noted that alternative organizational strategies, eg, those employed by the American Federation of Teachers, have realized success in increasing members & suggested that the dissection of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations may have been unnecessary. J. W. Parker