Obama To Address AFL-CIO Convention

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

President Barack Obama will address the AFL-CIO Convention in Pittsburgh on Tuesday Sept. 15, the White House press secretary formally announced on Aug. 31. Obama’s address will again mark the change in the relationship between organized labor and the Oval Office occupant.  Union leaders, including retiring AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, have already met privately with the president and been at his White House for bill signings and other ceremonies. The White House did not say what Obama will discuss, but the economy and health care should be high on his agenda.  And he will in all likelihood reiterate his strong support for the Employee Free Choice Act, though he has not said what he will do to get it the 60 Senate votes it needs to overcome a planned Republican filibuster. The president’s speech will come just before the delegates are expected to elect present Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka (r), 60, who is running unopposed, to succeed the 75-year-old Sweeney.  Sweeney, who has led the AFL-CIO for 14 years, said Aug. 31 that unionists at the convention would also renew and step up their drive to get Congress to approve comprehensive universal and affordable health care reform.  The federation shares that goal, including a “public option” to compete with the insurance companies with Obama.
- Press Associates, Inc.; photo: Rich Trumka announces his bid for the AFL-CIO Presidency in July; photo by Adam Wright