Disunity Among Unions

Organized labor was poised to make a comeback — and just in the nick of time. With union membership dwindling and political power waning, the stars had finally aligned. A sympathetic President. A new Congress. The imminent passage of a law, Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), that would make union organizing easier. A new day.

That was about six months ago, but all that’s happened since then, according to the New York Times, is nothing. Nothing, that is, except intra-union fighting, inter-union fighting, one union raiding the members of another, failed union mergers, one big blame game.

With all the infighting, organized labor has rapidly lost political clout that seemed abundant such a short time ago. Congressional leaders are becoming unwilling to go out on a limb for the controversial EFCA when unions can’t get their houses in order. What’s more, labor’s internal battles hurt its ability to influence the debate on health care reform. And then there’s the continuing, some would say worsening, economic mess that helps business groups argue against organized labor initiatives.

It’s still too early to tell what will happen, but union power seems to be declining again. And some labor insiders are saying it’s their own fault.