Which Way Forward for Labor?

[dcsmart]

In September, the country’s main labor federation held its national conference, electing a new leadership slate that pledged to fight for jobs, universal single payer health care, new laws to open the road to organizing the unorganized, and for an economic recovery in the interests of working people. This was a step forward which many union members and activists welcomed, including those of us in the Workers International League. But since September’s convention in Pittsburgh there has been no sign yet that these words will be turned into action. The economy is worsening, with the official unemployment rate reaching 10.2%, mass layoffs continue, and despite talk of a recovery, the situation continues to worsen. Millions of working people are looking for a way forward.

Despite a decline in membership and the perception by some, both inside and outside the unions, that the Labor movement is in terminal decline, for Marxists, unions represent a huge potential not just for winning better wages, conditions, and benefit but ultimately, to help transform society as well. The Labor movement as a whole, with its 15 million-plus members, has the potential to mobilize millions of other workers and youth across the country to fight layoffs and cuts in social spending, which would at least soften the impact of the “great recession” on workers by forcing the bosses to realize that they cannot throw workers onto the scrap heap without resistance. The unions must now make this potential a reality.
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FULL ARTICLE
http://www.socialistappeal.org/content/view/801/71/

[Omaha Steve]

1. K&R!