Union Leaders Pursue Unity Strategy

Union presidents from a dozen major unions, plus leaders from the AFL-CIO and Change to Win, met Jan. 7 to discuss ways to create a united labor movement to effectively take on the challenges facing working Americans. The meeting was facilitated by David Bonior of American Rights at Work.

CWA President Larry Cohen said the meeting was "an important first step towards a unified labor movement at a critical time. We all realize that labor unity nationally strengthens us at the local and state level."

Participating were Larry Cohen, CWA; Leo Gerard, United Steel Workers; Ron Gettelfinger, Auto Workers; Joe Hansen, United Food and Commercial Workers; James Hoffa, Teamsters; Gerald McEntee, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Terry O'Sullivan, Laborers; Bruce Raynor, UNITE HERE; Andy Stern, Service Employees International Union; Dennis Van Roekel, National Education Association; Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers; and Ed Hill, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Also participating were AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and Anna Burger, Chairperson of Change to Win.

Following the meeting, the group issued this statement:

"The goal of this meeting is to create a unified labor movement that can speak and act nationally on the critical issues facing working Americans. While we represent the largest labor unions, we recognize that unity requires broad participation. We also recognize our members are active and work through our institutions where they live and work. We will be reaching out to them."