Four years of progress for the AFL-CIO

It's hard to believe that only four short years ago delegates to the AFL-CIO Convention set the federation on a new path. A short list of accomplishments since Oct. 25, 1995 includes:

Creation of a culture of organizing that has reversed the decades-long decline of union membership.

A new and different approach to electoral politics that was decisive in dealing setbacks to the ultra right and has brought new muscle and influence to the legislative process.

A Union Cities campaign premised on involving the grass roots in solving the problems facing working families and their allies.

Policies of building coalitions based upon inclusion and diversity.

And above it all, waving defiantly in the winds of struggle, and on many picketlines, the banner: "An injury to one is an injury to all."

And now for tomorrow's battles. In addition to continuing these initiatives, new challenges loom on the horizon:

To build a movement of world trade union solidarity in the fight against transnational corporate exploitation and for world peace and disarmament. Give us, at last, our peace dividend! To incorporate the core human rights conventions of the International Labor Organization in the rules of the World Trade Organization.

To deepen the struggle against racism, corporate America's, weapon of choice to divide us and to strengthen the fight for affirmative action in hiring, training and promotion to overcome existing discrimination.

To involve the labor movement more deeply in the struggle against hate crimes and the neo-fascist, anti-labor, racist elements that preach them.

To elect more trade unionists, African-American, Latino, women, and other under-represented candidates to all levels of government. To deny the right wing access to the White House in the 2000 elections and to remove enemies of labor from the halls of Congress.

To prevent further shredding of the social safety net by defending and strengthening Social Security and Medicare and by initiating a campaign for a national health care system of comprehensive coverage, available to all and financed by the federal government.

It's a big order but, given the progress of the last four years we look forward with confidence to the next two-and for that matter, to the next millennium! We send our heartfelt greetings to the delegates of the 23rd Constitutional Convention, AFL-CIO! La lucha continua!

People's Weekly World

Editorial Board