The Split within AFL-CIO

Term Paper # 101752

An analysis of the history of the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) union federation and the implications of the split within it.

4,180 words () | 12 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the current split within the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) union federation. It describes the history of the separate organizations and the history of their merger. It then discusses the changes that have occurred since the AFL-CIO merger. It also looks at the implications of the split within the merged organization and its implications.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
History
A Changing Workplace
The Split
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Acuff says the working relationship with the disaffiliated unions is difficult, but the AFL-CIO's goal is still to someday return those unions to the AFL-CIO fold. There's no question that labor must change to attract workers. But perhaps unions may have a chance for resurgence with the current undercutting of the middle class that is prevalent in the United States today. However, in order for that to be the case, unions must make their commitment to the worker their major priority. While politics is important (politics influences public policy), it cannot be first and center. The worker must perceive there is a benefit to union membership, and that benefit is to work to protect the individual workers rights."

Sample of Sources Used:

Jeremy Brecher and Tim Costello, "A New Labor Movement in the Shell of the Old?", Z Magazine (April 1996) <http://www.zmag.org/zmag/articles/april96brecher.htm>
Mike Davis , "The AFL-CIO's Second Century", New Left Review, I/136" (November-December 1982) <http://newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=345>
Marick F. Masters, Ray Gibney, Tom Zagenczyk, "The AFL-CIO v. CTW: The Competing Visions, Strategies, and Structures", Journal of Labor Research, (V 27, N4, p. 473 - 504) (Fall 2006) <http://transactionpub.metapress.com/(irfgyh55atbvjufgiovqiajy)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,2,9;journal,2,29;linkingpublicationresults,1:110581,1
Barry Grey, "The split in the AFL-CIO and the organization of the unorganized", World Socialist Web Site ( July 28, 2005) <http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jul2005/afl2-j28.shtml>
Transcripts Radio Interview, "Will the AFL-CIO Split? A Debate on the Future of Organized Labor", Democracy Now, (Friday, July 22, 2005) <http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/07/22/143200>