I hope this thread does not degenerate into Limbaugh style union bashing, using generic talking points.
That said, the reign of John Sweeny as head of the AFL-CIO has been a disaster. The man is little nmore than a Democratic party hack that is none too bright, and he damaged unions at the time they least could afford it. Under his "leadership". while the AFL-CIO became energized politically, and in fact, was the main force that helped Democrats on the congressional level in the 96 elections spending tens of millions in that election, not to mention spending millions in 95 attacking Gingrich on medicare(gee what does medicare have to do with job security?), this cost the AFL-CIO the votes of many GOP reps and Senators that could have been sympathetic to many union issues such as the issue of fair trade. At the same time, many Democrats abandoned the pro labor camp because they had nothing to fear from the Sweeny ran AFL-CIO because it became hyper partisan, so the result was nothing was done about China pegging the RMB to the Dollar to the 90s, the vote on the WTO accord in 2000 and the artifically strong dollar the Clinton admin pushed after 95, all that badly hurt private sector unions badly. He did not hold supposed pro labor Democrats feet to the fire, while again, potentially sympethic Republicans had nothing to gain politically by casting "free trade" votes. The result is the mess we have today.
The final insult to injury came about 4 years ago, when Sweeny became pro amnesty for illegal aliens. This is jaw dropping stupidity, because the bigger the pool the workers, the greater difficult it is to organize workers to unionize, much less prevent unions from being broken.
All and all, a complete failure is what Sweeny represents.
The first goal of present union leadership is socialism, internationally. American interests are, to them, of no interest. I used to be a union member; I got another job that requires no union membership - and it pays better, and I do not have to pay dues to support political agenda that oppose my interests!
The unions abused their power. Now they merely suck canal water.
"I hope this thread does not degenerate into Limbaugh style union bashing, using generic talking points."