Fate of American labor movement likely tied to Arkansas By Wesley Brown
LITTLE ROCK - If the epitaph of organized labor is written within the next few years, the slayers of the movement may be located in Northwest Arkansas.
Many experts say the fate of unions as a social and political force in the 21st Century could well depend on current battles with Tyson Foods and Wal-Mart Stores - the world's largest meat company and retailer, respectively.
The umbrella of America's unions, the AFL-CIO, now has more than 13 million of America's workers in 64 member unions working in virtually every part of the economy.
But the group hardly has won any major victories lately, has lost much of its political punch and can no longer guarantee the vote of America's working middle class.