Labor 2008: A PAI Special Report

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

A PAI SPECIAL REPORT: THE YEAR IN HEADLINES
-- THE ELECTION AND THE ECONOMY
By Mark Gruenberg, PAI Staff Writer

 WASHINGTON (PAI)--The election, the election, the election…and the economy. Or maybe, by the end of the year, it was: The economy, the economy, the economy and the election.   Or, actually, it was both.

 As reflected in the headlines of the year in Press Associates Union News Service, the economy and the election became increasingly intertwined.  The very first headline in the first issue of January was a steep jump in joblessness, to 5%.  And after that, things only got worse.  Against that background, the campaign revved up.

 Unemployment increased to 6.7% in November, financial institutions imploded, Congress passed a $700 billion bailout for banks, with unions demanding -- unsuccessfully -- that money be allotted to help individual workers and families who were losing mortgages, homes and jobs.  It also approved a stimulus package in February that gave every taxpayer a one-time check, and by the end of the year was considering a much bigger package that would include more jobless benefits, spending to rebuild the nation’s roads, bridges, schools and airports, and much more.

 Also by year’s end, two of the nation’s three domestic auto firms -- GM and Chrysler -- were teetering on the brink of collapse, thanks to the nationwide credit crunch, as the bankers took the government’s billions and sat on them.

 The financial crash dovetailed with the campaign.  Unionists spent the first part of the year sorting out which Democratic hopeful to back.  Four drew support: Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) -- who ultimately won the nomination and the endorsement of first, Change To Win and, later, the AFL-CIO -- Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.).  Three others did not.

 Once it became clear Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would be the GOP nominee to succeed anti-worker GOP President George W. Bush, unionists launched a “McCain Revealed” campaign to spotlight his anti-worker voting record and his plans to continue the Bush regime’s anti-labor policies.  An anti-Bush bus toured the country.

 When Obama won the Democratic nod, union leaders faced a second need: To convince the many unionists who voted for Clinton -- or who had never had a chance to even consider an African-American for any office at all -- to back Obama.  Labor hit the campaign trail, hard: 250,000 volunteers, millions of home visits, site visits, leaflets.

 Both campaigns worked, aided by the economic maelstrom that hit in September:

Failing mortgages, collapsing banks, rising joblessness, unpopular bailouts, and all.  At the beginning of that month, McCain and Obama were tied in the polls.  Obama won in November, 53%-47%.   Among unionists, Obama won 67%-30%.  And among the few unionists who considered race among their top factors in their vote, he won 3-to-1.
 
 There were other key developments.  Some were: Union membership increased by 311,000 in 2007, the first substantial jump in years.  Senate GOP filibusters killed key pro-worker legislation, notably the Lilly Ledbetter Equal Pay Act -- to restore workers’ rights to sue employers for sexual pay discrimination -- and a $14 billion rescue package for the auto firms.  The Employee Free Choice Act was delayed till next year.  With Overnite Transportation now part of unionized UPS, the Teamsters signed up more than 10,000 of its workers.  Bush’s DOT let anti-union Delta Airlines devour wall-to-wall-union Northwest.  2008 ended with a sit-down strike success in Chicago.

 But the top stories overall were a big labor win in the election, with Obama beating McCain, at least seven more Senate Democrats and a bigger pro-worker House majority -- and the economic crash the Illinoisan will inherit from Bush on Jan. 20.  This then, was the year, as told in the headlines of Press Associates Union News Service:

JANUARY: Unemployment ends 2007 with jump to 5%; Factories, construction lose thousands of jobs... Fight erupts over latest California universal health care plan...Landmark case seeks enforcement of prevailing wage law...IRS fines FedEx $319M for ‘independent contractor’ dodge...Lawmakers introduce bill to renegotiate NAFTA, or dump it...UNITE HERE, Plumbers endorse Obama...Emergency rail board proposes settlement between unions, Amtrak...NATCA declares ‘controller emergency,’ takes campaign for air safety to Capitol Hill, public...Another unionist in Minn. legislature gives Dems super-majority vs. GOP gov...Congress returns with economy topping agenda...Think tank: Holes in presidential candidates’ health care plans...Burger: SEIU to spend at least $75M on politics this year...Speaker: Abuse of workers in China ‘part of a system’...Despite Bush veto threat, House passes new mine safety bill...Unions, farm worker advocates blast, sue vs. Bush scheme to avoid U.S. hires...Teamsters sign up 726 UPS Freight workers in card-check majority wins...BLS: Union membership up by 311,000 last year...Stimulus bill being crafted--without pro-worker provisions...Union solidarity, Kennedy nudge give workers win over Amtrak...Two more endorsements: TWU for Edwards, UFW for Clinton...Sex discrimination on the job: Much more than pay, pensions.

FEBRUARY: House OKs stimulus package; Senate panel adds jobless benefits...Family and Medical Leave Act extended to military as Bush White House considers rules changes...Dems to sidetrack Colombia ‘free trade’ pact...Bush joins Chamber of Commerce in opposing Calif. company neutrality law ...Bush Labor Dept. budget: More for jobless benefits...Sweeney: Bush budget ‘ideologically driven, ill-conceived’...Kennedy: Health care to be top priority regardless of White House winner...Senate deletes extended jobless benefits from stimulus package ...OSHA budget to rise slightly...AFL-CIO sues Bush Labor Dept. over reporting rules… SEIU to put health care atop political push...Schaitberger: IAFF helped push Giuliani out of GOP presidential race...SEIU, UFCW endorse Obama...Hoffa names FedEx, UPS Freight, port drivers as organizing targets...Senator, union leader agree Employee Free Choice Act delayed till ‘09...Senators, womens’ groups challenge Bush Labor Dept. family leave rules...Letter Carriers, Postal Workers sue to keep workers’ medical records private...CHANGE TO WIN ENDORSES OBAMA...Teamsters, Boilermakers endorse Obama...Federal workers unions vs. Bush: ‘We won.  They lost.  Game over.’...Sweeney proposes labor-business alliance for long-term infrastructure plan...

Washington Window: For Hillary Clinton, NAFTA came home to roost...Citing his energy stands, Utility Workers endorse Obama...9/11 rescue workers demand justice for their ills, dollars for their health care... Colombian labor analyst details horrifying situation for workers...Justices give agency, workers wide leeway in job discrimination charges ...UFCW’s Hansen on repressive government raids: ‘It can happen here...Twin Cities security officers stage first-ever strike…Axle firm forces 3,600 UAW members to strike...Washington Window: The second official Bush recession.

MARCH: FROM THE AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN SAN DIEGO…Fed political plans: $56M-$60M, 500-plus races, ‘Turn Around America’ theme, define McCain...AFL-CIO confirms the obvious: No presidential endorsement...AFL-CIO legislative agenda: Preparation for next year...AFL-CIO target: Mobilize 1M for Employee Free Choice Act...Federation proposes 7-part trade agenda...Fed: Second economic stimulus bill needed, but not enough...Health care drive revs up...AFL-CIO reports net membership gain... ALSO: February unemployment rate at 4.8%...United Electrical Workers win two more units in California...Labor launches anti-McCain campaign...IAM to lobby lawmakers on Air Force tanker deal...Workers, families, allies lobby lawmakers for mortgage aid...Lawmakers, unions hit Bush plan to submit Colombia free trade pact by end of month...Laborers rejoin Building Trades Dept....Justices hear key labor case on neutrality with state funds...Progressive, labor groups to spend at least $150M on election...Teamsters rolling up organizing, contract wins...Steel Workers to presidential hopefuls: Get specific on trade...CWA’s Cohen demands progressives back Employee Free Choice Act...Acuff: Lack of worker rights is ‘a values crisis’ as well as economic crisis...Progressives push for universal health care, but disagree on form...Washington Window: George W. Bush’s war in Iraq, five years later...AFL-CIO stresses unity in health care drive, says universal plan must include govt.-run option...Speakers: GOP starts alienating women in 1920s... Reps demand Bush OSHA act against combustible dust...UFCW, allies resume fight vs. Bush ‘no-match’ letters against workers...IBEW unveils new initiatives: Closer relations with utility industry, Comcast organizing...CWA, Steel Workers, UAW, IFPTE create joint strategic alliance...Voting scorecard: Parties split sharply on middle-class issues...Survey: One-third of families forego health care due to cost...Iowa fines Kosher slaughterer $182K for unsafe conditions.

APRIL: Unemployment rises to 5.1%; 434,000 join jobless rolls...Senators hit NLRB on workers rights ...Labor critiques mortgage ‘rescue’ package...Guest workers warn of ‘slavery’ as lawmakers consider visa program...Witnesses: Workers who toiled on post 9/11 rescue battle red tape, more for funds for illness, economic loss...A PAI Exclusive: Labor, Dem leaders agree on second stimulus package... Clinton, Obama get specific before Communications Workers activists...Dems to CWA: 11 GOP Senate seats, 53 House seats in play this year...Union leaders applaud delay of U.S.-Colombia ‘free trade’ pact
...With deadline looming, Bush Labor Dept. catches flak on FMLA rules changes...Mine Workers, Miller say report shows continued mine safety holes...Unionists picket McCain D.C. fundraiser...Panel tells Bush OSHA: Curb comestible dust...Clinton, Obama offer specifics to Bldg. Trades; Obama tries to counter ‘elitism’ charges...Labor formally protests Bush family leave weakening...SEIU-represented security guards score big wins in Twin Cities, D.C...Employees cast wary eye on Northwest-Delta merger...Labor, lawmakers continue anti-Colombia ‘free trade’ pact drive...Tomato workers, allies describe ‘slavery’ in fields...Plasterers and Cement Masons endorse Clinton...Job safety report reveals 5,840 deaths; Congress probes OSHA’s non-enforcement...Senate GOP blocks fair pay bill...NATCA: FAA problems due to controller shortages, mismanagement...Kennedy, Miller try to bring private college TAs back under labor law...Laborers’ O’Sullivan criticizes mortgage aid bill as business break.

MAY: Witnesses demand higher OSHA penalties, stronger enforcement...Unions plan permanent workers memorial...ILWU conducts 1-day West Coast strike to protest Iraq War...United Electrical Workers highlight govt.-backed union-busting tactics...Labor hits McCain health care plan...House orders Bush OSHA to move against explosive workplace dust...Hearing reveals Bush regime’s abandonment of ergonomics...Miller seeks federal criminal probe of Crandall Canyon mine blasts...Senate panel adds jobless benefits extension to Bush war funding bill...Fed to re-launch ‘McCain revealed’ campaign;

Unionists in Michigan, St. Paul get head start...New book details decline, mistreatment of workers...Steel Workers, CWA’s Cohen and AFGE endorse Obama...Labor movement and energy legislation: Three different directions, one common goal...Senate debates public safety workers’ rights bill...Northwest-Delta merger would force union recognition votes...Exploited Indian shipyard workers begin hunger strike... Colombian unionists criticize ‘free trade’ pact...AFL-CIO pushes strong plant-closing ‘Warn Act’...Senate inserts longer jobless benefits, into Bush Iraq war money bill...Citing comparisons to McCain, Mine Workers endorse Obama...Witnesses: Iowa beef plant federal raid splits community...Study: U.S. lags far behind other nations in work-family laws, practices...Justices: Federal workers, like others, can sue for retaliation on bias claims...Laborers launch massive pro-infrastructure campaign...Flight Attendants prepare for fight at Northwest after Delta vote loss...Kidnapped journalist: Militants compare Westerners to Crusaders, Bush...Congress OKs measure raising penalties for breaking child labor laws...Jewish Labor Committee blasts meat firm for un-Kosher treatment of workers.

JUNE:  Jobless rate leaps to 5.5% in May...With primaries over, unions start planning fall campaign... Panel: Presidential candidates offer no solutions for systemic economic problems facing workers...Union leaders, lawmakers unveil new trade legislation...CWA’s Cohen: Working families ‘need clear agenda’ from unions to drive uprising against special privileges, interests...Letter Carriers food drive sets new record: 73.1M pounds...House passes jobless benefits bill... GAO: Feds still have no coordinated plan to treat first responders to disasters...Intl. union coalition blasts U.S. lack of workers’ rights...AFSCME endorses Obama, federation endorsement ‘within next two weeks’... House votes for paid family leave for federal workers...High Court kills California company neutrality law...Machinists cheer GAO ruling overturning Air Force tanker deal...Treasury Employees join pro-Obama ranks...Working moms
contest McCain stand on Lilly Ledbetter anti-sex discrimination bill...AFL-CIO ENDORSES OBAMA... CWA’S Cohen: Election offers ‘best chance in a generation’ for change...USWA’s Gerard, Australian union leader: Wrong energy bill could devastate manufacturing...Fletcher: Union leaders don’t accept that capital, Bush want to kill unions...Nurses lobby for workplace safety, vs. needlestick injuries...Anti-Bush bus gets rolling nationwide...Five years later, Congress Hotel strikers draw strong support...Panel, study: Mainstream media ignores workers...SEIU backs single-payer national health care--sort of.

JULY: Joint bargaining, organizing top goals of USWA-British union pact...Judge rules Wal-Mart violated worker rights more than 2M times...Working women feel financial, personal squeeze...NEA demands ‘fundamental overhaul’ of federal education role, law...Colombian oil workers union leader: Free trade pact could continue war there...Hidden camera crew trails ‘contracted’ letter carrier...Unions help form large coalition to put universal affordable health care atop campaign, 2009 agenda...Trumka to workers: Look past Obama’s race to his economics...NEA endorses Obama, elects new president...Steel Workers step up drive vs. toxic trade...AFL-CIO launches new union veterans’ group with election, lobbying focus...Building trades: Crane workers' deaths show need for emergency OSHA measures, better enforcement...Witnesses: Bush Labor Dept. wage and hour enforcement drops, workers hurt...Unions, allies make GOP privatization of Social Security an election issue...Teamsters dubious about Anheuser-Busch sale...AFT’s Weingarten: Bush school law ‘outlived its usefulness’...IBT hails passage of Mexican trucks ban, but bill may stall...Obama says unions key for working women…Washington Window I: Crunch...Washington Window II: Globalization is as close as your beer…Also:...Bush Labor Dept. twists rules to harm workplace safety...Witnesses: Immigration’s Iowa raid smashes families, town...Clinton, named honorary delegate, gets Letter Carriers to back Obama...Teamsters expect layoffs, erosion of working conditions if InBev buys Anheuser-Busch...PLAs piling up in L.A...Transportation Communications Union endorses Obama...House panel passes Paycheck Fairness Act.

AUGUST: Obama to union leaders: ‘We can’t do it without you’...Georgia plant blast discloses dangerous dust, federal inaction...Witnesses warn of turbulence ahead when Delta buys Northwest...Jobless rate rises to 5.7%...AFSCME maps political plans, re-elects officers...House passes Paycheck Fairness Act…
From The AFL-CIO Executive Council Meeting In Chicago:...Union leaders confront race-and-politics issue head-on...Federation goal: Filibuster-proof Senate majority...Sweeney: Obama campaign to seek 3M volunteers, unionists included...Fed already moving vs. shenanigans at polls... Safety problems in skies push AFL-CIO to strongly back solving controllers’ contract crisis...Ackerman summarizes anti-McCain campaign...Washington Window: Now the big push begins…ALSO:...Poll: Female Hillary Clinton voters moving towards Obama...Union groups demand government act vs. Wal-Mart anti-Obama voting order...Court: Bush FAA owes overtime pay to almost half of all air traffic controllers...EPI: Chinese trade surplus with U.S. cost almost 2.3M jobs...Phone firm contracts: One done at Verizon, one to go at Qwest...Steel Workers reach new pact with U.S. Steel...Data show at least three-fifths of firms paid no income taxes...Big push on at Democratic Convention for Employee Free Choice Act...Democratic Convention: Work, with some fun...Legislation, politics top agenda at Fire Fighters convention...AFL-CIO’s Lee: Dem platform strong on workers’ issues...McCain targeted by AFL-CIO China trade mailer, Change To Win ‘truth squad,’ videos...Labor at table on plans to slow global warming...Teamsters talk hedge fund into saving baking firm--and 9,500 jobs...NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw dies at 63...At Dem convention, Sweeney, Burger emphasize threat to middle class, American dream...Union leaders confront continuing problem: Convincing reluctant members to back Obama...State Of Working America: Working smarter, working harder, losing ground...Matejka: Illinoisans, unionists plan to fan out to tell workers about Obama...Down to the wire: Machinists-Boeing, Steel Workers-ArcelorMittal talks...Lilly Ledbetter tells Dems of sexual pay discrimination ...Postal Workers endorse Obama, forge ties with Letter Carriers.

LABOR DAY EDITION: Labor’s political plans: More money than ever, more people than ever...Obama profile: Union supporter in Washington, Springfield; Pro-worker organizer in Chicago...McCain profile: War hero, workers’ foe...The big lie being spread about the Employee Free Choice Act...The Lilly Ledbetter and California cases: Tip of the judicial iceberg for workers...Washington Window:  This time, it’s vital... Op-Ed: Inequality, executives’ pay and who pays taxes.

SEPTEMBER: Unemployment rate jumps to 6.1%; 592,000 lose jobs ...Republican convention draws protests, arrests ...Thousands ‘Take Back Labor Day’ at festival during GOP convention...Poverty touching many in America, citizens testify during convention...Nader, again running as third-party candidate, demands Taft-Hartley repeal...Big Teamsters contract at UPS Freight marks key win...USWA solidarity leads to ArcelorMittal contract...News analysis: Union leaders urge, plan all-out drive for Obama... Teamsters target FedEx in latest corporate responsibility campaign...Quebec arbitrator orders Wal-Mart contract with UFCW...Washington Window: On the outside looking in, vs. on the inside looking out…
ALSO: Stimulus package II: No checks, but other items of interest to workers...Union electrician speaks out on unsafe work, electrocution of troops in Iraq...Machinists OK dues hike, back Obama at Clinton’s urging; Boeing strike looms over conclave...Oregon union leaders ‘send a message’ to Minn. private equity firm that bought plant...GAO: Bush Defense Dept. personnel system has flaws, workers don’t like it ...Steel Workers, allies launch ‘Green Jobs’ campaign...AFSCME-backed group targets McCain on women‘s rights...Washington Window: The presidency--Do you really want this job?...Op-Ed: Your tax dollars subsidize executive excess…ALSO: GAO: Agencies lag in enforcing anti-pay-discrimination laws
...Sweeney: Deregulation led to financial chaos...Panel: Pension system needs restructuring... Author: Economy ‘not capitalist,’ features socialism for business...Letter Carriers laud five members for rescuing 124 elderly from fire...New voices join effort to mobilize union members for November election...Fed backs U.S. aid for auto retooling...Newspaper Guild President Lunzer, a St. Paul unionist, blasts heavy-handed policing during GOP convention in hometown...Washington Window: The financial crisis--a political history…ALSO: Unions demand taxpayer, homeowner protections in Wall Street bailout... Bailout II: Change To Win advances $350B plan to help ‘Main St., not Wall St.’...Speaker: Universal health care advocates face uphill battle...Poll: Obama has 47%-45% edge over McCain among women... Gettelfinger optimistic on auto loan guarantees, but no job numbers...Tribune employees file class-action suit vs. Zell

OCTOBER:  Union leaders blast bailout...Women’s group leaders: Stress working womens’ issues in campaign...Unemployment rate stays at 6.1%; Number of jobless highest in 16 years…

A PAI Special Report--Election Outlook 2008: Washington Window: Our historic election… OVERVIEW: Massive problems confront leaders, voters in the most important election in years…OBAMA PROFILE: Obama promises fundamental change, but economy, Congress, red ink may hamper him… McCAIN PROFILE: McCain casts himself as a maverick, but the record says otherwise…PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Obama’s in the lead, but…SENATE OUTLOOK: ‘60 in ‘08’ likely to fall short…HOUSE OUTLOOK: Democrats to gain, but how much?...LABOR’S MOBILIZATION: Getting out the vote--and protecting voters…ALSO: ...First High Court labor case tackles retaliation against witnesses in sexual harassment complaint...Appellate courts: Wal-Mart loses against its workers, again ...TRW workers: Recession, economy means next president must focus on jobs...Workers’ issues finally come up in presidential campaign debate...CWA proposes long-range economic recovery plan...Top union pension official says ‘no silver bullet’ to solve problems…Washington Window: PAI’s first-ever political endorsement: Barack Obama For President …ALSO: House voting scores show mass Democratic agreement with labor stands...Senate votes: 49 Democrats, Maine’s Republicans agree with fed...AFL-CIO launches final get-out-the-vote push; Change to Win hits McCain on workers rights...Union turnout boosts record crowd for Obama in St. Louis... Economists grade nominees on women’s, family issues: Obama ‘B’, McCain ‘D”...Union solidarity--national and intl.--leads to new pact for Oregon workers...Congress to hold lame-duck session in Nov.; Second stimulus on agenda?...Tanking economy produces proposals for second stimulus...Unions put on final push before election...Machinists, Boeing reach new pact, ending strike...Cleveland unions turn out warm crowd for Bill Clinton, stumping for Obama...Panel: Human rights campaigners face uphill struggle, as issue has low priority...APWU’s Burrus slams Postal Service ‘business plan,’ warns of financial ills... Unions vow to organize ‘world’s largest airline’ after Bush govt. lets Delta devour Northwest...Analysts: Gender gap persists among white women vs. men as women’s issues broaden...USWA conference sets oil bargaining policy. 
       
NOVEMBER: THE 2008 ELECTION: AFL-CIO: Unionists were ‘firewall’ for Obama in key swing states... Employee Free Choice Act: Labor’s top priority, but roadblocks remain...Economy motivates labor mobilization...Change to Win: Election shows mandate for pro-worker change...Labor’s legislative agenda starting to emerge...Gerard, Public Citizen report 30 more ‘fair trade’ lawmakers...Scene at headquarters: Cheers, joy at Obama win...Washington Window:  We won.  Celebrate.  Now what?...ALSO: Unemployment up to 6.5%; Jobless number tops 10 million...Researcher: Wal-Mart perfected the art of union-busting...Report: 22% of U.S. families “economically distressed”...Labor to keep political mobilization going, pushing right to organize, economics... Book: Stolen wages cost workers billions... Speakers: Long-term slump gives chance for longer-term recovery measures...Contract ratifications: Qwest, Anheuser-Busch, Interstate Bakeries...Oregon, Colorado voters trash anti-worker, anti-union initiatives...Bush’s ‘Midnight Rules’ include weaker family leave, longer driving hours for truckers... Progressives to Obama on infrastructure: Think big; AFL-CIO touts new ‘New Deal’...Gettelfinger, auto firms campaign for federal loan as top lawmaker warns GOP against union-busting...Panel foresees rewrite of trade law to favor workers, and renegotiation of pacts...AFT’s Weingarten puts ‘everything but vouchers’ on the bargaining table...Women’s rights advocates plan for Obama admin., warn of need to push Dems...ILO predicts wage declines in industrial nations.
 
DECEMBER: Jobless rate rises to 6.7% in November; 251,000 more people lose their jobs...UAW willing to rework pacts, suspend pay for laid-off workers, delay retiree health care, to help car firms...Budget experts say deficits may block Obama plans...Poll: Obama ended with 7-percentage-point ‘gender gap’...Bush order yanks union rights from 8,600 federal workers...AFSCME’s McEntee supports govs’ campaign for stimulus dollars, but pushes human services... Senate rejection leaves auto rescue in White House hands...Obama Labor Dept. advisors: Pres.-elect backs pro-worker agency changes...Report: Avg. female worker loses $434K in lifetime earnings to pay discrimination...Fed kicks off big campaign for worker rights with worksite leafleting on Human Rights Day...Wal-Mart settles Minn. wage suit, to pay workers and state $54M... Chicago workers win in first sit-down strike in decades.