“'Union Cities' Network Proposal for Small Central Labor Councils”

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THE LABOR COALITION
Midstate Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

“Union Cities” Network Proposal
for Small Central Labor Councils

Introduction

The labor movement is facing fierce challenges as we approach the new millenium. These
challenges are both external and internal to our union organizations. In the last two decades we
have seen the globalization of corporations and massive restructuring here at home. Corporate
decisions to attack the power of labor have been largely successful and have threatened the ability
of our unions to survive and our communities to prosper. The failure of the US labor movement
to lead American workers and communities to respond is just as much a function of obstacles
internal to labor and progressive social organizations as it is the forces of capital. Through it all,

one fact is clear, the labor movement must inspire and renew its members commitment to
organizing and broaden its social agenda or it will die.

We can no longer run our locals, internationals and labor councils under the outmoded
“service” model. We must change to an “organizing” model and this must be initiated at all levels
and in every corner of the country. The AFL-CIO Union Cities program has provided labor

councils with a blueprint for building strong and vibrant organizations which are integrally
connected to the communities in which they exist.

The goals are simple, yet allow for individual expression which has been a hallmark of the
our labor movement when it is successful: 1) Organizing to Change, Changing to Organize (2)
Mobilizing Against Anti-Union Employers (3) Building Political Power and Community
Coalitions (4) Promoting Economic Growth, Protecting Our Communities (5) Educating Union
Members in Pocketbook Economics (6) Generating Support for the Right to Organize (7)
Making Sure Our Leadership Mirrors the Faces of Our Membership (8) Encouraging All Local
Unions to Increase Their Membership. These goals are bold and aggressive, but on a practical
level, too difficult, if not, impossible for the vast majority of labor councils to intiate.

Building the Road to the Union City is a major undertaking and like any construction
project requires the necessary time, material, equipment and, most importantly, qualified, oe
professional staff. The lack of any one of these elements dooms the proposal to an aC
idea, a project which never becomes a reality. In as much as 15% of the central labor Sy ae
the AFL-CIO are located in small towns, rural areas and geographically fr agmented eee
strategies for implementing the Union Cities program in these areas must bea ati He ?
most of these labor councils will not be able to initiate the Union Cities agenda wit ness 4
assistance of full-time, paid organizers to support, encourage and coordinate the volu
resources of unions and their members in these areas.

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SE ASP IOP eS “NTT IAIn#eh. .

Building the Road to the Union City through small towns is as critical as renewing the
infrastructure of the labor movement in a large metropolitan area, How, then, do small labor
councils proceed? Mergers or consolidations into “super councils” are one solution, but this may

reduce the participation and commitment of the member unions in the smallest councils as they
see the program dictated by larger towns or cities.

The Labor Coalition is proposing a different model and asking for the national office to
provide financial assistance on a pilot project basis. Our model is one that respects the integrity,
structure, individuality and demographics of each labor council that would participate. Rather
than merging, we are proposing a collective effort between small labor councils to respond to the
Union Cities program. Call it “networking” or “clustering” the end result is a sharing of ideas,
resources, and costs associated with implementation of the Union Cities program. Because staff
salarjes_gre the largest cost factors and most critical element to implementation of the Union

Cities initiative the networking would start with the “collective” hiring of an organizer to start
building the Road to our Union Towns.

The Labor Coalition, Midstate Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO has recieved strong
indications of support from the Steuben County Labor Council and the Chemung County Labor
Council to undertake this pilot project. We have identified the staff responsibilities, necessary
commitment and a timeline for implementation of the proposal.

with more labor activity we will see an increase in both the number of union affiliations to our
labor councils and an increase in the number union members the affiliates pay dues on. Asa
result we expect the financial assistance from the AFL-CIO would be needed for only a three year
period while the project is mobilized and our labor councils increase their capacity to sustain an

“organizer” position.

Wn Initially, we will require support funding from the AFL-CIO, but expect and anticipate that