For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Statement by AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on Formation of Union "Coalition" Outside of the AFL-CIO
Every day in this country workers are under attack. Now more than ever, we need a united labor movement to help all workers raise their standard of living and achieve the affordable health care and secure pensions they deserve.
Forming this coalition is a step in the wrong direction because it's the first step towards a truly divided labor movement. To win for working families, we must grow our membership and build more political power and do so as a united labor movement. Splitting the AFL-CIO will mean less power for workers. It is my hope that the SEIU and other so-called "dissident unions" will not, in the end, leave the Federation. We're stronger with them. They'll be weaker without us. Now is the time to put workers first and achieve real labor solidarity.
