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JOHN J. FLYNN
President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
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July - August 2005
The 50th anniversary of the AFL-CIO in July marked what many believe is a turning point for the labor movement. The chance to reaffirm and revitalize the movement now rests with all of us.
There is no denying that the very public split by the SEIU and Teamsters from the AFL-CIO has given anti-union groups ammunition, which they will try to use to convince the American public that unions have lost their clout. In fact, no sooner had the split been announced, when an article ran on the conservative Fox News website containing the following: “‘I think many workers feel that union membership is not relevant’, said Justin Hakes, spokesman for the anti-union group, the National Right to Work Foundation.”
What these individuals fail to realize is that this split, while changing the governance of the labor-movement, has not diminished labor’s numbers or strength. In fact, for many, recent events serve as an important reminder of what Americans stand to lose without a strong, unified labor movement. For the first time in years, people – not just union members – are talking about the future of the labor movement. And Americans were reminded of the many benefits that all workers enjoy because of unions, including fair wages, benefits and safe working conditions.
In the short-term, we can’t fix the split that occurred at the leadership level, but we can – as union members – join together in solidarity to strengthen the labor movement. What anti-union groups, such as the National Right to Work Foundation, either don’t understand or have forgotten is that the power of the labor movement rests with individual union members. It’s the member who decides to join and stay with a particular union, and it’s the members’ support of each other on the job, during negotiations, and on the picket line that gives a union voice and the movement strength. And it is the grass roots activities of each of you that elects public officials who support unions and workers’ rights.
A recent editorial in the Washington Post by E.J. Dionne Jr. sums it up best: “It’s too late to avert the split, but not too late to help revive a movement that has been essential to achieving social justice in the United States.”
Today, as union members, we have the power to join together in solidarity to reaffirm and strengthen the labor movement. It’s our turn, and I know that every BAC member is up to the challenge. Between now and our own Convention in October, we’ll evaluate all of the issues, keep you informed of the opportunities presented, and along with our Convention delegates make informed recommendations and decisions about how best to proceed in the future.
If you have ideas for stories or issues of concern, let us know by emailing us at askbac@bacweb.org or writing to:
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
Attention: Communications Department
1776 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
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