Last year on the bus on the way to the labor rally on behalf of striking hospital workers in Stroudsburg, we sang “Solidarity Forever.” It’s a rousing song with the right sentiments.
Now we find out that building trade unions in New York contributed $500,000 to the Committee to Save New York, a major ally of Governor Cuomo in his fight with public sector unions. We find out that one-third of union households, presumably private sector unions, voted for Governor Walker in the recall.
Do private sector union members really think the anti-union activity of the Republican Party will stop with public unions?
Twelve percent of the American work force is in a union. State after state is considering “right to work for less” laws. State stores are under attack. Union organizers are intimidated and fired with no meaningful action by the NLRB. Postal employees are laid off. Legislators propose to end prevailing wage laws.
This really is not the time to bicker among ourselves. Karl Rove and the Koch Brothers do not have worker interests at heart. Nor does Romney. There are those who work and those who live off those who work. Which side are you on?
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