Unions see better days ahead under Obama's leadership

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0129/p16s01-wmgn.html

On Wednesday, the Labor Department reported that trade union membership rose 420,000 in 2008. New legislation could speed such growth.
By David R. Francis

from the February 2, 2009 edition

Happier days are here for the labor movement in the United States. The AFL-CIO spent $53 million and its trade union affiliates $250 million to help Barack Obama win the White House, relying mostly on "field mobilization" campaigns to turn out a favorable vote.

The excitement level already has risen at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington. "The most pro-working-family president in years," noted one staffer.

Some labor economists see a possible revival of the labor movement over the next few years leading to a more stable economy through a more balanced distribution of income. CEOs and Wall Street executives would get a smaller share of the nation's economic pie, and workers, with their regular spending needs, a bigger chunk.

President Obama's newly appointed National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) chair, Wilma Liebman, is seen as more sympathetic to labor than her recent predecessors.

"What a refreshing change it will be to have a labor board that aims to safeguard rather than blockade workers' rights," stated AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.

On Wednesday, the Labor Department reported that trade union membership rose 420,000 in 2008, to 12.4 percent of the workforce, up from 12.1 percent in 2007.

FULL story at link.

[bread_and_roses]

1. Let it be so!

I am ever-doubtful, but at least there is that thin thread of possibility. The Rs will pull out every stop to block the Employee Free Choice Act, and I think it highly unlikely that all the Ds can be counted on. In my most cynical moments, I wonder if Obama is counting on not having to keep his signing pledge because it will never get to his desk to sign. I welcome every unanimous "no" from the obstructionist Rs because I hope it stirs a deep righteous anger in the ranks of the Ds (I'll take vengefullness if righteous anger is beyond their scope) so that they will stand together on major progressive legislation. We'll see.

Always a thank you from this corner to you, OS, for keeping Labor in view here - a sea change from the first few years I was here, and a good deal of that due directly to you.