The American labor movement was tested September 11, 2001, and it passed with flying colors. Although hundreds of union members were among the victims of terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, many more contributed to the relief efforts. Fire fighters, emergency services and medical workers, iron workers, carpenters, operating engineers—and seafarers—among others, stepped up without hesitation in the hours and days after the attacks. That infamous event happened exactly one year ago to the day of the start of the SIUNA convention, and many of the speakers at the quinquennial gathering last month at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md. mentioned the new recognition earned by labor—America's working people— not only as victims, but also as heroes.
SIUNA President Michael Sacco opened the meeting, affirming that union members have shown the world by their activities on September 11 that they are a vital part of the community. "People who previously knew nothing about the labor movement suddenly became aware that union members are some of the everyday heroes who helped keep our nation running," he said.
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) agreed, noting "the best way we can honor those who fell one year ago today . . . is to carry on our business as free men and women in free societies, able to organize ourselves collectively for the benefit not just of ourselves but for those we represent."
He acknowledged that the role of labor is recognized in protecting and defending the values of working people everywhere, but that some people are trying to break down labor's mission. In particular, he cited the ongoing struggle by members of the fire fighters and police unions who, after their incredible ordeal in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, can't even get a pay raise. "Organized labor can no longer be passive," he said.
"Beyond words and rhetoric," Abercrombie added, "it's action that counts." He brought up the fact that the United States is the richest country in the world but doesn't have a universal health care service to take care of its workers, and stated that foreign-flag interests continue to attack the Jones Act. The only way to combat these anti-worker views is to vote for people in Congress who will enforce the laws of this country on behalf of working people, not against them.
"It's the winners in Congress who set the agenda," he stated, and urged those present at the convention to support candidates who support working families. "We have to work for it. We have to be committed."
A labor activist for more than 35 years, Fred D. Mason Jr. currently is president of the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO. He spoke about the challenges of organizing. "We all lose when we fail to organize," he said.
While acknowledging that organizing campaigns usually are quite difficult, Mason stressed the need for unions to increase their efforts, especially since most workers in this country don't have a voice at work.
One person who has always been committed to fighting for working men and women is Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, now in a race for governor of that state.
She said that we should respect those who died in the terrorist attacks of a year ago and honor the heroes who put their lives at risk. And, if it can be said that any good has come out of the attacks, it is that Americans more fully appreciate the freedoms they have, such as the rights of women, the rights of religious tolerance, the right to organize.
"This country is strong because we have strong unions," said Townsend. "We [the Kennedy family] understood that this country was made strong because people stood up for those who couldn't speak up for themselves." But, she added that we as a country must do a better job with such issues as health care, increased educational opportunities and help for our senior members, particularly in the area of prescription drug costs.
William Donald Schaefer, comptroller of the state of Maryland (and former Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor), talked about the role of labor unions in his state and how they helped him find ways to reduce the deficit. As a good friend of the SIU, he urged voters in Maryland to vote for Townsend, a strong supporter of labor unions.
Organizing has been the top priority for John Sweeney since he was elected president of the AFL-CIO in 1995. Whether the issue is workers' rights, health care, fair trade, retirement security or any of the other important concerns, Sweeney has led the fight for all workers, noted Sacco.
As the convention delegates and guests paused to remember those who died doing their jobs and helping others, Sweeney noted that those heroes remind us of the tough year it's been for working families. Terrorism and corporate greed were the depressing highlights of the year. But on a more positive note, he said, the workers have "demonstrated the resilience of our values and the value of our work."
Sweeney said that the SIU and AFL-CIO stood tall behind President Bush to fight the enemy, but now it appears that the president is undermining the collective bargaining rights for many Americans like those working in the airline industry, the construction trades and the police and fire department members who worked so tirelessly after September 11 and are still waiting for raises. "That is no way to treat the workers of America, no way to treat our heroes," he said.
He added that corporate America has been waging war against the workers year after year. More people have been thrown out of work, losing pensions and basic health benefits while the government sends American jobs overseas.
The labor movement in America needs to find new solutions, Sweeney said. Business, government and labor must work together to protect our way of life. American workers need more protections-more jobs, minimum wage, public education, a guarantee to collective bargaining.
Sweeney stated that the federation must "do a better job of educating our members and mobilizing them on Election Day."
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said she would continue to seek out the SIU and other labor unions for input into "creating good, safe and well-paying jobs for all Americans." She also spoke about how the SIU, along with other unions—with no time for planning—answered the call for help in the height of chaos and confusion following the attacks in New York and Washington.
Chao concluded that both President Sacco and President Bush care about people, and that the Bush administration "is proud to call you partners in defending America's freedom and in strengthening America's economy."
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