The decision of the Service Employees International Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to quit the AFL-CIO is likely only a prelude to the disaffiliations of several other unions over the next couple of weeks. Because of organized labor’s indispensable role in progressive politics, this historic upheaval in an already enfeebable labor movement is very significant for African Americans and labor’s traditional ally, Democrats. Notwithstanding labor’s often egregious policies on race over the years, it is the most important counterforce to the reversal in workers’ interests by a changing global economy and an anti-union Republican Congress and White House as well as a presumptive new majority on the Supreme Court.
Fifty years ago, more than a third of American workers belonged to a union. The number of union workers has declined to less than 8 percent in the private sector along with defeats on the political front and in the workforce. In addition, many of labor’s rank and file have been seduced by the GOP’s siren call about “social values” and ignored labor’s leadership.
During these times of an even greater divide between the upper and lower classes and a decline in opportunities to escape poverty, the need for a powerful workers’ advocate has never been more compelling. Organized labor needs to find innovative and more effective ways to bolster its declining power and influence. As individual unions prepare to operate separately, they need to continue to support the political operations of the federation.
Organized labor must respond more creatively to the inexorable new realities of the 21st century. That means being more aggressive in organizing those in low-paying service jobs, who are being exploited and need effective representation.
The split in the federation need not signal the death knoll of organized labor, but labor unions need to do a better job of adapting to the decidedly hostile economic and political environment of today. The outcome of varied approaches to improve the future for American workers is unknown, but it is certain that the impact on African Americans and our interests will be profound.