U.S. News & World Report (USNews.com), July 25, 2005, Monday

U.S. News & World Report USNews.com

Career Spotlight: Union rift a revival or a collapse?
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/050725/25career.htm

Posted 7/25/05By Kim Clark

The fate of the American labor movement could be decided at the AFL-CIO meeting that will kick off today. Five of the biggest member unions, unhappy about continuing membership and political losses, are threatening to pull out of the confederation. They want to redirect the union dues they now send to the Washington organization to new kinds of membership drives and lobbying efforts. Will this rift further weaken America's already ailing unions? Or could this be the first step toward reinvigoration? Ken Margolies, a veteran of many union drives who is now director of a Cornell University labor education program, talked with U.S. News about the issue.

What effect do you think the current controversy will have?

This could stimulate some changes that would be good for the labor movement, such as more aggressive organizing. But if the split leads to unions attacking each other, I can't see that being good. Either way, it is historic: It could lead to a revival or a collapse.

Unions represent only about 12 percent of the working population now. Why should it matter what happens to the AFL-CIO?

The whole shift away from pensions to 401(k)'s would not have happened if unions were as strong as they used to be. People are paying more of their healthcare costs than they would have if unions were stronger (and could force employers to pick up more of the tab). People who are not in unions may not realize the effect it has on them until later.

Many would argue that unions are losing members—and should be losing members—because they have a sordid history of corruption and violence. But unions say that the legal deck is stacked against them.

How many Norma Raes are out there who are willing to risk getting fired for organizing a union? There are just too many ways for an employer to get away with it. If they get caught firing somebody (and thus violating a law that bans firing workers for union organizing), they just settle the case. They say, 'Here is $6,000. Don't come back to work.'