During the new leadership s earliest months, they adopted Jobs with Justice and its ideas of cooperation among progressive groups. Then they began to go much further. Progress continues, but it doesn t just happen. But labor unions are far different in their histories, structures, and attitudes than idealistic groups of high-minded people. It takes time and patience to win over union people, but it is well worth the effort.
Unions are biggest and most consistently progressive organizations in America.
They have the most money and the most physical assets. They have the most legitimacy and the strongest commitment from their constituents. Instead of calling for deportation and criminal fines against employers who hire undocumented workers, they called for amnesty for all workers. But the value of this new labor-led alliance is much greater than the obvious immediate gains. The American labor movement is under attack today more than they have been since the really big setbacks of the 50 s.