The Challenges Ahead for Labor
MEANY, GEOROE
Perspectives THE CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR LABOR BY GEORGE MEANY Today is the last time I will have the honor of opening a convention of the AFL-CIO. By coincidence, it is also an historic...
...The American trade union movement must continue to grow, to consolidate its strength????And, I predict with certainty, it will...
...Our combined organizing efforts have made major breakthroughs in areas of the country traditionally hostile to unions...
...With equal vision, subsequent generations extended the platform...
...It has been both a humbling and a tremendously rewarding experience...
...Now the time has come for me to thank all the members of the AFL-CIO for the highest honor that could be paid any human being-the honor of leading this great organization of workers who have built this nation...
...Our civil rights efforts have resulted in strengthened and renewed bonds of cooperation with the major minority and women's organizations...
...There have been significant organizing breakthroughs by unions in the service trades...
...Farm workers are proving their strength against the most oppressive tactics used by any employers anywhere in the nation...
...The Executive Council report for the past two years clearly demonstrates the good health of this federation...
...Yes, the unity in the federation itself is unmatched in our history...
...Labor's agenda and labor's platform are the issue of human concern...
...The trade union movement achieved all these and more...
...We have the integrity to live up to our end of the bargain...
...The 24 years of merger have proven, once again, that in unity there is strength, that all workers share common interests, needs and expectations-regardless of their craft, the color of the collar they wear, or any other artificial distinction...
...programs, not promises...
...The national economy is a mess...
...Despite the combined effects of technology, unfair international trade policies and continued high unemployment, which have created particular problems in construction, manufacturing and transportation-the traditional bases of organized labor-more workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements today than ever before in this nation's history...
...The shifting, changing economic policies established by the Administration have, without exception, failed because they have been ill-advised, ill-considered, ineffective, and inequitable...
...America's energy problems are growing while the oil companies reap outrageous profits...
...It is an accord we would have willingly negotiated with the Administration a year ago, but there was no real willingness on the part of the Administration to treat us as a concerned partner at that time...
...Each succeeding generation of trade unions has given that charter life and breath...
...Workers face tough days ahead...
...the recession is at hand and, in the bellwether housing industry, the depression is already here, yet the banks raise interest rates to the highest in the nation's history...
...But I have read the proceedings and I believe Samuel Gompers, William Foster, Samuel Leffingwell and all the courageous founders of our movement would look with favor upon the stewardship of their successors...
...inflation is unchecked and family budgets are wrecked...
...The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions was born on November 15, 1881, for one simple reason: Its founding members knew, as we know, that in unity there is strength...
...By coincidence, it is also an historic anniversary for the American trade union movement...
...All these were achieved as well...
...It is now our responsibility, individually and collectively, to preserve that charter, to give it life and meaning in our time and pass it, intact and shining, to those who follow us...
...Our state federations blocked efforts in state legislatures to force a constitutional convention that would impose a government-busting balanced budget requirement...
...We must constantly look to the future, develop new leadership, adapt policies to changing conditions and new technologies-but always, always with unswerving loyalty to the mission of the trade union movement as the instrument for improving the working and living conditions of those who work for wages...
...This year in the Congress our combined legislative operations blocked every attempt to destroy or weaken the Davis-Bacon Act...
...We shall keep our word...
...There are plenty of rooms in the house of labor to accommodate all organizations of workers...
...George Meany delivered the address published here upon his retirement last month as the first President of the AFL-CIO...
...And to my God go my prayers-prayers of thanks for granting me more than one man's share of happiness and rewards, and prayers for His continued blessing on this nation and on this movement and on each of you...
...They sought Social Security, unemployment insurance, civil rights, health care for the elderly and the poverty-stricken, minimum wage, occupational safety and health, pensions, a national labor relations act, food stamps, and much much more...
...For the quest for social and economic justice is never ending...
...Despite what some of my friends in the media may believe, I did not attend that convention in 1881...
...Labor's goals are economic and social justice, and because human beings are fallible, achieving those goals requires ever new horizons and commands all of our energy...
...But the founders of this great movement realized much more could be accomplished through a combination of all those organizations...
...As I leave this office, I am happy and proud to report that the instrument workers created 98 years ago is alive and well and ready to do battle with any foe who would destroy it...
...Each has made significant contributions to the federation...
...Of course, there were many trade unions, assemblies and councils in many cities-even national and international labor unions-in 1881...
...We expect others to keep theirs...
...Two years from today I expect the AFL-CIO will be celebrating, in some form or other, the centennial of the American labor movement...
...We also have the courage to blow the whistle if the Administration fails to fulfill the obligations it has undertaken...
...So they organized and adopted a charter to "promote the general welfare of the industrial classes and secure that justice which isolated and separated trade and labor unions can never fully command...
...their support outstanding...
...Examine, if you will, their first platform...
...White collar and professional workers are seeking organization...
...And true to our mission to expand the frontiers of human progress, this generation of trade unionists has an agenda of platform items that are as yet unfulfilled-national health insurance, full employment, equal rights for women, labor law reform, to name but a few...
...The officers of each affiliate and constitutional department and all of the state and local central bodies have carried out the programs and made this federation a testament to the foresight of those who gathered in Pittsburgh 98 years ago...
...On this day 98 years ago, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 107 trade unionists established the first, continuing national trade union center...
...We intend to do our share, and more, to help develop an economic policy that is fair and workable, that divides the sacrifice equally...
...The history of this movement is that our word is our bond...
...They determined to fight for compulsory free public education, an end to child labor, the eight-hour day, protection against garnishment, apprenticeship laws, payment of wages in legal tender, repeal of conspiracy laws, creation of a national bureau of labor statistics, workers' compensation, use of the ballot to elect friendly legislators...
...Because 1 know so well the calibre of the leaders of this movement, I am sure they will not be content to say smugly, "We've come a long way...
...Every one of our headquarters departments has made continuing, provable advancements and I am proud of the record established by the department directors and their hardworking staffs...
...It is well-built-ready to stand and to shelter workers long beyond the lifetime of everyone in this hall...
...It has been a torch handed down-sometimes flickering, but never dimmed...
...The AFL-CIO is its direct descendant...
...To my assistants and to the staff of the federation-both in the headquarters and the field-Goes my gratitude for a job well done...
...Obviously there is need, at this time of economic crisis, for all elements in society to demonstrate their responsibility...
...Despite the fact that the labor laws of this nation have been sharply tilted away from protecting the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively, the movement is growing...
...Indeed, I am confident that the labor movement is about to embark on another period of significant expansion: The growth in unionization among public workers is continuing at a strong pace...
...Rather, I am certain, they will use that centennial as a launching pad for new campaigns to improve further the conditions of work and life in this land...
...And it is growing...
...To you, the delegates to this convention, the representatives of the workers of America, goes my sincere appreciation for this opportunity to serve...
...Last year in Missouri we resoundingly defeated a so-called right-to-work referendum, despite a multi-million dollar campaign waged by our enemies...
...their friendship rich and warm...
...We in the AFL-CIO have already done so...
...We recognize, too, the constant need to refine and improve and protect those programs already enacted...
...Without exception our affiliates are involved in the activities and programs of the federation...
...It has given me the opportunity of knowing and working with the members of the Executive Council, past and present...
...Their counsel has been wise...
...We look for deeds, not rhetoric...
...This federation is the house of labor...
...They had already made many important gains...
...The labor movement cannot be content with defending the status quo, or reliving past glories...
...The national accord recently reached between the Administration and the AFL-CIO is a demonstration of labor's willingness to shoulder its share of responsibility on a broad range of national concerns...
Vol. 62 • December 1979 • No. 23
