By John J. Sweeney
The union movement is taking unprecedented action to build solidarity that will create real power for working families. The 9 million members of AFL-CIO unions are gaining literally millions of new partners in our fight for justice on the job, in our states and communities and throughout America.
The 2.8 million members of the National Education Association now can become part of the AFL-CIO when their locals affiliate with the federation. As AFT President Edward McElroy said, the local affiliations “will help our unions become more powerful advocates for quality education and for an economy that works for all Americans.” Local affiliates of unions that have disaffiliated from the AFL-CIO are voting with their feet and reuniting with us at the state and local levels through Solidarity Charters. So far, 605 locals have come back home.
Two formerly independent unions recently joined the AFL-CIO—the United Transportation Union, with 65,000 members, and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, with 10,000 members.
And Working America—the AFL-CIO affiliate for workers who do not have the benefit of a union contract—is the fastest-growing organization of working people in the country. In just two years, Working America has grown to 1 million members and is in the process of growing to 2 million by the end of 2006.
The employers who abuse workers and the politicians who do all they can for special interests while ignoring the needs of working families are about to learn the meaning of solidarity.
It means strength—the strength that comes from working together in large numbers. The strength that enables workers to overcome intimidation and harassment campaigns so they can form their unions. The strength that brings victory at the bargaining table. That triumphs in local school funding and living wage battles, and state health care and minimum wage fights. The strength that wins elections and then holds elected leaders accountable to the working families that elected them.
Solidarity forever. Solidarity right now.
