Carpenters Join Coalition While BCTD Talks Heat Up
The carpenters move, while not unexpected, comes just weeks before the AFL-CIO convention where proposals for significant reforms are expected. On June 27, the AFL-CIOs 54-member executive council approved two proposals for convention consideration. One increases resources for organizing and grassroots political action and a second supports increased leadership diversity. Officials also approved a two-year budget to fund the programs, including a 25% staff reduction.
But those reforms do not go far enough, say leaders of the dissident unions who formed the coalition and separately have offered their own reform packages that also focus on organizing and building political muscle. Some of those leaders claim they will withdraw their respective unions from the AFL-CIO if its current president, John J. Sweeney, is reelected. Sweeneys reelection bid now seems all but certain. The carpenters union withdrew from the AFL-CIO in 2001 citing differences with its leadership.