Labor scrambles to survive By Stephen Franklin, Chicago Tribune
Many of the suggestions come from the New Unity Partnership, an informal group formed last year by several labor chiefs.
Its members are Bruce Raynor, president of UNITE, the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees; John Wilhelm, president of HERE, the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees union; Doug McCarron, head of the Carpenters union; Terence O'Sullivan, president of the Laborers' International Union of North America; and Stern.
The group has been controversial within union circles, however, with some worried that it could further heighten tensions among unions. One cause of concern especially is McCarron's involvement.
Complaining that the AFL-CIO was outdated and inefficient, he pulled his union out of the federation three years ago. That was a severe blow to the AFL-CIO's efforts to boost confidence that the labor movement finally was on the rebound.
'These are five guys sitting around and talking. They don't represent the labor movement,' said Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers union.