Portside

The death of AFL-CIO President John Sweeney has evoked examinations of his legacy. One can praise the good things but its important to address the bad things so we can have a more accurate understanding of his time.

The late AFL-CIO leader John Sweeney was an admirable figure who had a vision for reinvigorated US labor unions. But he only tried to reform a union movement that needed a more fundamental refoundation.

Both at SEIU and the AFL-CIO, President Sweeney felt a particular responsibility to those workers most exploited, most vulnerable, and historically most ignored or worse by organized labor. In my opinion, this was his most important legacy.

How a coalition of the left, the US Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO and others organized to make sure Biden took office.

As we rebuild, we must remember that recovery is impossible without equity. Therefore racial justice is a key component of our agenda. And we need to rebuild the safety net for everyone who lives and works here. That means economic security for all.

We are witnessing one of the greatest assaults on our democracy since the Civil War,” tweeted AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka. Union leaders throughout the country denounced the coup attempt and attack on the Constitution.

Early signals from his transition have been mixed, but Biden owes a debt of gratitude to the labor movement for his shot at the throne. This is no moment to kick back and give Biden time to settle in.

“It’s not about conservatives or liberals,” Wood said. “It’s more about defending our democratic process.”

Labor unions ranging across several types of frontline workers today joined environmental groups in a lawsuit against the federal government.