AFL-CIO’s Top Organizer Pays Homage
To a Real Democratic International Union

Stewart Acuff, the AFL-CIO’s director of organization, was a welcome guest and speaker at the Pittsburgh convention of a small, independent international union, the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers, commonly know as the “UE.” It was perhaps the first time in years that an AFL-CIO leader had addressed a union, known both for its militancy and democratic character.

Acuff’’s address to the delegates was full of praise for an international union of only 35,000, that has managed to stay alive and independent over decades, while adhering to the basic principles of union democracy and international solidarity.

Thanks for being a great union,” Acuff said in his opening remarks to the delegates. “Thanks for standing up time after time after time. Thanks for standing up for member-run unionism. Thanks for standing up for militant trade unionism. Thanks for not giving in or giving up.

What unions need to do today, Acuff said, is “organize, organize, organize!” If we don’t we will be “the first generation in this country’s history to leave our kids less than what was left to us,” he said.

Acuff’s enthusiasm for this union is justified. The UE is a showcase of union democracy in action. The top three officers each receive $55,150. 32 a year, their salaries ratified by the votes of the membership. “Double dipping” (holding two paid union jobs) is banned by the union constitution.

The union’s financial records are audited every three months by elected rank-and-file trustees. Each of the UE¹s three regional boards, consists of three officers and 12 elected union members. Conventions are held every two years. (It used to be every year.). The UE constitution has other features that guarantee membership rights, including the right to recall (and discharge) any officer that does not meet the approval of the membership.

The UE has established cooperative relations with unions in other countries, particularly with those in Mexico and Japan. It has engaged in many actions of international solidarity and achieved considerable recognition abroad, despite its small size.

Could Acuff’s Speech Ring True in any AFL-CIO Union?

Is there any current AFL-CIO international union where Acuff could — or would — make the kind of speech he gave at the UE? I can¹t think of any. As for Change to Win, union democracy has become almost a dirty phrase, treated with contempt by SEIU President Andy Stern and his colleagues.

Acuff’s speech in praise of union democracy is not likely to receive much favor from Sweeney and some of the key international union leaders, who have built their careers on promoting, or at least tolerating, gross violations of members’ rights. Acuff’s comments are implicit criticism of the AFL-CIO leadership, and I sincerely hope he doesn’t suffer reprisals for speaking the truth.

Our weekly column, “The World of Labor,” reports the struggles and victories of unions in countries around the globe. Check our web site: www.LaborEducator.org.