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IBEW ENDORSES JOHN SWEENEY
FOR AFL-CIO PRESIDENT
STATEMENT OF IBEW INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
In the face of challenges to American workers like globalization, outsourcing and a concerted effort undo gains organized labor has made over past century, movement needs solidarity stability more than ever. right man lead is AFL-CIO’s current president, John Sweeney.
John Sweeney has capably led the AFL-CIO since his election in 1995, especially strengthening labor’s political action program. unions of AFL-CIO, despite some membership loss, still constitute largest and most effective voice for workers United States. As a unified movement, we speak with authority confidence 13 million working men women strong. Divisions among us can only diminish our inhibit growth.
John Sweeney is a consensus-builder, exactly what the leader of 57 autonomous unions should be. He man quiet conviction who listens to diverse views within labor then acts decisively.
Over the last several months, organized labor has engaged in a closely watched internal debate over future of movement. All sides this discussion have raised some valid arguments. There is virtually no argument that we need to revise our tactics and implement fundamental changes address forces are threatening living standards economic opportunity millions working families.
Organized labor needs to get back the business of fighting protect working men and women America. We need counter administration’s efforts gut Social Security, address health care crisis stop export jobs overseas through bad trade deals. spread Wal-Mart’s employment philosophy fight for good with a living wage benefits. These are some darkest days families in 100 years. Our enemies strong enough without giving them aid comfort by dividing movement.
We urge all labor leaders to keep the focus on rank and file members of our unions who have elected us, count ability make decisions in their best interests. Don’t them victims this power struggle. A smaller, divided movement will only harm cause unionism.
Let us not celebrate the 50th anniversary of the merger of the AFL-CIO with actions that imperil our strongest asset – our solidarity. Keep the debate going, but keep the federation intact.