AFL-CIO Gets a Big Partner
The union movement received a fresh dose
of solidarity today with the signing of a historic agreement with the 2.8 million
National Education Association and the approval of new charters that bring two
more unions into the AFL-CIO fold. National
Education Association Partners with AFL-CIO
Jesse Berney crossed posted the great news for the AFL-CIO over
at Kos.
At one point in my life I belonged to four unions, AGVA, Actors
Equity, AFTRA and, SAG, now on inactive status. Unions can make a big difference in people's lives. For
me, it kept dancers from working on concrete, depending on the show and the
union involved, as well as work hours and rehearsal hours workable.
Outside performance unions, they can be even more critical, though
I'd be the first to say that sometimes unions aren't the answer. I know that
isn't the politically correct philosophy, but I believe it's true. However,
in many, many industries, without unions, the working life of millions would
be unbearable.
The new strength of the AFL-CIO is good news also because of the
downward slide of wages and worker rights due to globalization. I think American unions can be a major partner around the world, working slowly let me
add, in helping other nations combat the race to the bottom on wages and employee
benefits.
Globalization is the strongest case for supporting unionizing,
because companies long ago lost their loyalty to American workers, outsourcing
jobs at every turn. If unions like the AFL-CIO can get strong enough, just maybe
they can eventually also affect world wages, which will aid in the equalization of wages
needed for families to have enough money to live at a quality of life that also
offers some grace and breathing room from poverty.
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