Challenges of a Changing Environment - cont.

 

And, labor took its position to the November Miami demonstrations against the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas where the Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO and other unions were gassed and beaten along with other demonstrators.

 

Also, in an historic shift, the AFL-CIO in 2000 changed its traditional stances against undocumented workers by supporting stronger immigrant rights provisions and relaxed criteria for citizenship. Sidestepping the opposition of more conservative voices within the Federation, the AFL-CIO sponsored the 2003 Immigrant Freedom Rides, bringing together an unprecedented number of allies to advance a pro-immigrant agenda.

 

These actions, breaking new ground in collaborative efforts, were forged by mutual self-interest. Labor recognized that its new constituencies included large numbers of immigrants - and that new global economic realities required new allies for survival. Likewise, community organizations have increasingly seen their own struggles as closely tied to the fate of the labor movement.


Particularly in the time since 9/11, when labor, immigrant, civil rights, environmental, community health and advocacy organizations have all been under attack, the message is as clear as it is familiar: the public sector, the safety net and many personal freedoms are all at risk. Progressive forces must band together by building bridges to the oldest and largest movement outside corporate control - the labor movement. It’s time to find that common ground.

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