The Labor Movement: Time for a New Day

Nearly two hundred members gathered Sunday afternoon at the 22nd Biennial National Convention in Chicago, IL for an inspiring and lively program organized by Retiree Director Judy Beard, that included talks by four panelists interspersed with singing and chanting led by moderator, Elise Bryant of the Labor Heritage Foundation.

It turned out to be a perfect prelude to the Convention theme of “Standing Up, Fighting Back.”  Presentations addressed the current political situation, examples of fighting against anti-union legislation and union busting and the need for solidarity.

Mary Bottari, Deputy Director of the Center for Media Democracy, gave a great tutorial on the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Funded by the Koch Brothers, two of the wealthiest individuals in the country, the Council develops model legislation and trains right wing elected officials on how to get the anti-people bills passed in their states.  

Daleo Freeman, President of the Cleveland, Ohio Area Local shared his experience fighting to restore collective bargaining for public employees in Ohio after the newly elected Republican majority passed a measure outlawing it in 2010. He emphasized what was the main lesson for him: hard work. He said, “That’s why they call it struggle.” They strategized with the labor movement statewide, knocked on doors in neighborhoods and visited businesses.  

Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) activist Kimberly Goldbaum laid out a spirited history of their successful strike in 2012. The main ingredient was building solidarity as a union, with parents, community groups, and other unions. She reminded the audience “union jobs aren’t ‘jobs for life,’ but they are jobs for lives.”

The last panelist Steve Bruno of the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations suggested that the labor movement needed a “big idea” to change the situation and find a new direction.

In his brief remarks to the participants, President Dimondstein addressed the “big idea” the APWU is implementing: the Grand Alliance of seniors, retirees, civil rights organizations, veterans groups, the labor movement, community and faith-based organizations, and some business groups in defense of America’s right to vibrant public postal services. The audience responded with the chant  “Stand Up, Fight Back; Stand Up, Fight Back!”