Down with the AFL-CIO

[Sky]

The AFL-CIO follows a policy of class collaboration, restrains the struggle of American workers for their rights, and limits itself to only symbolic support for strikes; it maintains an anticommunist line and supports the aggressive foreign policy of American imperialism. After the victory of the October Revolution in Russia, the AFL adopted a position extremely hostile to Russia and encouraged the intervention by the USA. The leaders of the AFL opposed the creation of the World Federation of Trade Unions and took an active part in organizing the reactionary “International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.” The AFL-CIO enthusiastically declared support for the formation of the NATO, US aggression in Korea and Indochina, and the militarization of the West. The AFL-CIO leader Meany was in particular was an ardent supporter of the bloodthirsty aggression by the United States ruling clique against the people of Indochina; in 1972, Meany did not support the bourgeois liberal presidential candidate George McGovern. Meany had been notorious for his purge of communist elements from the AFL-CIO.

As a result of the conciliatory position of the leadership of the AFL-CIO, the influence of this union among American workers is declining.

[Joby]

If you had written this in 1920, I would agree.

But their going to die within a decade or two, anyway.

[Reuben]

well, when we as marxists look at organisations, we look not just at the political ideas they espouse but also at the social forces hat they are made up of. Yes the AFL-CIO has taken and probably continues to take all manner of reactionary positions. It is however the space in which those who have an objective interest in the desstruction of capitalism choose to organise. It is the space in which those who will be hit hardest by the oncoming recession are organised.. And it is the orgaised working class - not middle class liberals - who truly have the potential to bring about a better amerrica and a better world.
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As such, rather than starting with the slogan 'Down with the afl-cio', why not start by saying 'reclaim he afl-cio'.

Reuben

[kromando33]

I agree with the sentiment of the OP. The modern trade-union has become a nothing but an arm of the bourgeois dictatorship, it does not represent the revolutionary working class or their interests. Any attempt to make 'concessions' to the bourgeois state will never work, this is because as Marx points out the interests of both classes are diametrically opposed. The true interest of the working class can only be found in the liquidation of bourgeois state.

[BobKKKindle$]

The modern trade-union has become a nothing but an arm of the bourgeois dictatorship, it does not represent the revolutionary working class or their interests.

This is a gross oversimplification, as there are many different kinds of trade unions, ranging from unions which are directly linked to the state apparatus and exist to preserve industrial peace, as in the case of Fascist unions, to Anarcho-syndicalist unions which place emphasis in the initiative of individual members, free from the control of a bureaucracy, and advance the overthrow of capitalist as their ultimate objective. Moreover, a single union can change over time, such that it is nonsensical to say that all unions are simply 'an arm of the bourgeois dictatorship'.

Marx recognised that strikes, even when based on solely economic demands, are an essential part of the process of developing class consciousness, as by struggling against the bourgeoisie, and by winning temporary victories, in terms of pay and working conditions, workers are able to realise their strength as a class, and so overcome internal divisions such as racism, and gain greater confidence, in preparation for more radical action in the future. Moreover, when employers turn to the state to help and strikes are met with armed force, workers can better understand the real function and class nature of the state apparatus. Anyone who has actually participated in a strike will bear witness to the spirit of solidarity that workers build when they realise that they need to work together to defend their interests.

Once again, Kommando, you claim to uphold Marx and yet show a complete ignorance of his ideas.

As another member has argued, despite the reactionary orientation of the AFl-CIO (and trade unions in general) this union is still considered the most important industrial organisation, by most workers, such that it is necessary to try and enter the union, and initiate change from within, so that rank-and-file members have a bigger say in how decisions are made, and the union withdraws financial support from the Democratic party. This would be a more effective strategy then trying to build a new union.