Matthew Boyle
The Daily Caller
5/20/2011
AFL-CIO union boss Richard Trumka issued a threat to Democrats nationwide at the National Press Club on Friday, calling on them to support his and other unions or face losing their support.
“We will spend the summer holding elected leaders in Congress as well as the states accountable on one measure: Are they improving or degrading life for working families? We are looking hard at how we work in the nation’s political arena,” Trumka said, according to prepared remarks. “We have listened hard, and what workers want is an independent labor movement that builds the power of working people – in the workplace and in political life.”
Trumka went even further than just saying he’ll hold elected leaders accountable. He said Democrats may be “controlling the wrecking ball” that’s crippling unions, too, and that he plans to stand up to either party.
“It doesn’t matter if candidates and parties are controlling the wrecking ball or simply standing aside – the outcome is the same either way,” Trumka said. “If leaders aren’t blocking the wrecking ball and advancing working families’ interests, working people will not support them. This is where our focus will be – now, in 2012 and beyond.”…
The article continues at The Daily Caller.
Update: The AFL-CIO’s Richard Trumka Pledges a Constant Campaign of Class Warfare, at RedState:
The Leninist leader of today’s labor movement, the AFL-CIO’s Richard Trumka, is not happy with the progress of progressivism that the hundreds of millions of dollars his union members have forked over to buy the Democratic Party should have produced. So, he says, unions’ aren’t going to be in the business of party building anymore…
…Much of Trumka’s rhetoric we’ve heard before—including the threats to Democrats and the vow to campaign year-round—and have seen more frequently from the SEIU. It will be interesting to see whether Trumka’s move toward the permanent campaign will actually take place, or whether it will be more hot air.
If it does take place, it will likely only turn more people off toward unions. So, in that regard, campaign away, Rich.
