Trumka Scores High in Responses to Call-Ins
From Members, but Ignores ‘How to’ Problems

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka elaborated on his ambitious 5-point plan to create jobs for millions of unemployed workers in a call-in show, featuring pre-selected questions by more than a dozen union members from across the country.

It was probably the clearest presentation by any labor leader of the Federation’s aims, policies and practices— as well as some of its problems—in a format that enabled union members to get responses to their concerns from the AFL-CIO’s president.

Trumka provided a detailed explanation of the potential job-producing qualities of each proposal in his plan. He also stated that it would help improve the quality of life in our country.

The questions and replies were far-ranging. One questioner worried that the new “green” industries might produce low-wage jobs. Trumka admitted that it could be a danger, but said unions would engage in collective bargaining to increase wages and benefits in the new industries.

He was asked about “outsourcing,” by which tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs were being sent overseas. Trumka replied that it was vital to change U.S. trade policy, to revive our manufacturing base and build up America’s export market.

Trumka described the AFL-CIO campaign to reform the health care system, and labor’s strong opposition to taxing health-care benefits. He explained the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act. He repeated his promise that when EFCA is passed, the AFL-CIO will hire 1,000 union organizers to recruit the hundreds of thousands of workers who will want to join a union. He urged unions to begin training qualified members as organizers. But he gave no indication when EFCA would be passed and in what form.

In speaking about the need for labor unity, he said the important factor in unity was a common purpose, not a common name. He did not elaborate on the current state of the labor unity negotiations He also announced that there would be a “summit” conference devoted to young workers in 2010.

Curiously, there was not a single question about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, nor did Trumka even mention them in any of his responses.

Trumka appealed to his labor audience: “We need your help to pass health care, to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and to build a fairer economy.” But he did not recommend any course of action.

Some Not Pre-Selected Questions for Trumka’s Frank Response

I suggested that Brother Trumka respond to the questions below, because his answers would be of intense interest to the millions of unemployed union members and those concerned about the future of the AFL-CIO. Here they are:

1. What actions will the AFL-CIO take to persuade Congress to create the millions of jobs envisioned by your five-point program?

2. How many jobs do you think that Congress and President Obama will create for the 24 million people who are currently unemployed or on involuntary part-time? What happens to those who will remain jobless?

3. On what basis will the new jobs be distributed? Who will make the decisions?

4. How will the pay rates for these different jobs be determined?

5. Will the AFL-CIO continue to refrain from any mention of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as though they are not the concern of working Americans?

We invite union members to offer their comments on these questions.

I remember when former AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland held what was a press conference with union members during the 1970s. The format was quickly withdrawn, because labor leaders feared it could expose them to embarrassing questions.

I think it was smart of Trumka to agree to the call-in show. It gave him an opportunity to present himself as a forceful, knowledgeable labor leader. It also revealed some potential weaknesses. It will be to his advantage to find more ways of connecting to the rank-and-file. --Harry Kelber

LaborTalk will be posted here on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2009, and at our web sites: http://www.laborsvoiceforchange.org and http://www.laboreducator.org)..