Federation Solidarity
When I opened the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO executive board meeting in late February, I emphasized the many things that are good about unions and organized labor as a whole.
It’s an important message—one that I share with you here in the hopes of setting the record straight when it comes to proposals that are being made to restructure parts of the AFL-CIO, the national federation of trade unions.
First of all, I support AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, along with Secretary-Treasurer Rich Trumka and Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson. I believe in their leadership and their integrity. They have done a good job on behalf of America’s working families and the federation’s member unions, including the SIU.
No one claims that we don’t have room for improvement within organized labor. That’s true of any association, really.
But at times like this, I strongly believe that we must stick together and work together for progress. On many fronts, union members and other workers are facing enormous challenges. Our solidarity is one of our greatest resources.
The individual unions within the AFL-CIO may not agree on every issue, but I believe we share plenty of common ground and we’re all pulling in the same direction. We’re working to improve. We’re examining ways to become more efficient. We’re all speaking up and we’re all being heard.
In our own industry, we know firsthand the value of solidarity. The waterfront battles between the SIU and the NMU were legendary … and costly. Since we’ve come together as one union, we have grown and become stronger.
With that in mind, let’s not lose sight of the many great things about the labor movement, and what we’re capable of when we work together.
As I mentioned at the MTD meetings, the things that have always made unions worthwhile are still true today. Unions give workers a real voice on the job. We stand up to protect the rights of our members and their families. We give back to our communities. And you better believe we answer the call.
And as President Sweeney stated at those same MTD meetings, “Unity is our greatest asset. That does not mean we should avoid debate, but there can be no real solution that undermines the unity of working people.”
When you get right down to it, labor’s essential goals haven’t changed. At some point you may have read or heard the words of Samuel Gompers, the first president of the old American Federation of Labor. His memorable answer to the question of what labor wants included “more schoolhouses and less jails, more books and less arsenals, more learning and less vice, more constant work and less crime, more leisure and less greed, more justice and less revenge, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures.”
That’s still what unions are all about—improving the lives of members and their families. As the federation works through this period of self-examination, it’s important to also keep an eye on our original—and ongoing—goals.
Recognition for Mariners
I encourage all Seafarers to read about the MTD meetings in this issue of the LOG. In particular, I call your attention to the many kind words that were said about the U.S. Merchant Marine.
It’s always encouraging to know that others understand and appreciate the importance of our role as America’s fourth arm of defense. But when that appreciation comes from high-ranking officials from the military, the administration, Congress and the labor movement, it’s especially uplifting.
You have played an exceptional role in helping earn such a good reputation for the entire U.S. Merchant Marine. You deserve the credit, and I know you’ll keep up the good work.
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