David Moberg and Bill Fletcher to Discuss the Labor Movement After the Bush Era

“Johannesburg, South Africa — In a hotel conference room in June 2001, a critical dialogue took place between leaders of the U.S.-based Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the South African National Education, Health & Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) … After an insightful presentation by NEHAWU, a free-flowing exchange unfolded. A young progressive SEIU local union leader from the West Coast, commenting on the role of the union in political action, noted what must have seemed obvious to him: that the role of a union is to represent the interests of its members. The representatives of NEHAWU offered a careful and diplomatic reply: ‘Comrades,’ they began, ‘the role of the union is to represent the interests of the working class. There are times when the interests of the working class conflict with the interests of the members of our respective unions.’ Silence descended on the room … Time seemed to have stopped.”

From the preface of a new book co-authored by Bill Fletcher, Jr. and Fernando Gapasin, Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path Toward Social Justice.

For further information, call the Democratic Socialists of America at 773.384.0327.

Permalink