Chicago
The Teamsters and three other major unions split from the AFL-CIO this week, marking the biggest labor rift since the 1930s. The breakaway unions accused the leaders of the AFL-CIO, a massive federation of labor groups, of spending its money to support Democratic politicians instead of reversing years of declining membership. “We’re not trying to divide the labor movement,” said Andrew Stern of the breakaway Service Employees International Union. “We’re trying to rebuild it.” AFL-CIO leaders said the dispute would dilute labor’s already dwindling political power. “Those who left the house of labor are weakening our house,” said Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America. “Shame on them.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.