STOCK MARKET WATCH -- Friday, 25 May 2012

[Demeter]

26. What Can Labor Win if It Backs Obama's Re-Election?

ASK RATHER, WHAT CAN LABOR LOSE IF IT BACKS OBAMA? IS THERE ANYTHING LEFT TO LOSE?

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/9298-what-can-labor-win-if-it-backs-obamas-re-election

As usual in an election year, the labor movement has a lot of fair-weather friends. Late last month, when hard up for cash for its national convention, the Democratic Party turned to unions for funds. Labor refused to bankroll the convention, in part because unions are upset that it will be taking place in North Carolina, a so-called "right to work" state.

But the party's request was just one part of what will be an extended process of solicitation. As much as ever, Democratic politicians rely on labor's financial contributions and, even more important, its person-to-person field operation to put them in office.

What labor gets in return for its support is often less clear. Unions' central legislative priority, the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), died a quiet death during President Obama's first term. Other labor law reforms that might restore the right to organize in America and modernize the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) have been nowhere on the agenda. Politicians eager to proclaim themselves friends of working people in the heat of the election cycle have not stepped up to change this situation once they head to Congress.

So, if unions are going to be involved in electoral politics this year, what can they expect to win? And is Washington even relevant to progressive organizing efforts?

TO SPARE YOU THE READING...THE ANSWER IS: NOT MUCH. NADA, ACTUALLY. BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD...REFINE THE MESSAGE, YADDA YADDA YADDA.