Unions and the campaigns

This week, Howard Dean secured the support of the Service Employees International Union, the largest AFL-CIO affiliate, should that union choose to make an endorsement. Rep. Richard Gephardt stakes his reputation on the support of blue-collar voters, thriving on union support. Unions obviously hold powerful sway. What do you think about the influence labor unions have on the political process? Share your thoughts.
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today labor has little influence in Washington DC and in states because of the Republican domination except in a few states. Further Democrats have failed to pass laws favored by labor on trade and the right to organize a union. The Democrats other issues like health care may be in some cases' like the union position. Nevertheless, because of changing econonmy and Republican success in getting media to ignore problems of poor and blue collar workers, and the issue of non-union workers in general. the politics of the future largely will happen without unions. In specific towns and on specific issues where unions have expertiese, the Democrats definitiely should ally with unions. But unless the Democrats make union membership rights a priority, and vigorously oppose unfair trade agreements as their priority, iti's unlikely either the Democrats or unions will get very far in stopping the GOP domination of the national agenda.

sfeldman, columbia md

Unions are not nearly as powerful as you think. Otherwise, why would so many businesses and industries be unorganized? NAFTA has made it even easier for businesses to avoid union shops, and the consumer penchant for cheap materials and goods has resulted in a proliferation of labels that say "Made in Pakistan," and "Made in China." So long as consumers and industry look to their own interests, the central union goal of a strong, diversified, skilled labor force, integrated both by gender and race, will remain out of reach.

Steve, St. Paul, MN

Unions should and do have a place in American politics that is a healthy rebuttal to the monied interests of the Republican right. Unions stand up for the average person who cannot "buy" access to candidates who regularly receive the amounts of money we see being raised by the Bush administration. Without unions joining forces with other groups who do not see any opportunity to gain access to the power brokers, the issues of universal health care, affordable prescriptions and pension funds would not see the light of day. We need legislators to recognize that people want to support pension reforms so money does not "disappear" when the fat cats decide it's time to raid the corporate treasury and declare bankruptcy, leaving the rank and file members of companies without any of the millions of dollars stolen from them by the few corporate heads who conduct themselves without shame and thought about the average Joe and Jane who made that company successful. We won't hear about pension reform from the people who brought us Enron and WorlDCom, that's for sure!

Dave, Acton