These are sad days for the house of labor. As the New York Times and the Washington Post update the story, the long-simmering fratricide at the AFL-CIO is almost complete.
When I first got to Washington, when I met with union officials I was struck by how much they resembled the stereotype --cigar-smoking men with no necks and lots of jewelry. Dose guys are gone, mostly. I think some of the best people in politics work for unions, and their talent is needed more than ever as elected officials and corporate powers target working families.
The question must be asked, as the fight comes down to one man's determination to stay in office:
John Sweeney, why don't you go? You have been a good leader but if your departure can keep this from happening, then go. (P.S. to Andy Stern: if you target Wal-mart, you have to beat Wal-mart, and they would spend $50 million before breakfast to stop you).
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