AFL-CIO shifts strategy, emphasizes appeals to nonunion workers

[The Northerner]

The AFL-CIO on Wednesday used its annual Labor Day outreach to announce a change in strategy: More direct communication with nonunion workers and fewer resources devoted to politicians and political parties.

Saying the voice of workers was too easily ignored, union president Richard Trumka said new strategies were needed to fight failed trickle-down economic theories.

Those theories have enriched and isolated “people who live in gated communities” while creating a jobs crisis for others, he said.

Jeff Hauser, political media outreach specialist for the union, said in an interview that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case paved the way to legally express advocacy outside of the union environment instead of just member to member.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/08/31/3113134/afl-cio-shifts-strategy-emphasizes.html

[FBaggins]

1. Bad news for the DNC (etc)

This may be an effective strategy for the working class, but it's going to suck for the party. The "enthusiasm gap" may not be a one-year problem.

[Ian David]

2. I think their goal is to mobilize non-union workers to vote for pro-labor politicians...

... without directly donating to those politicians whose support isn't as dependable as they would like.