Unions Look To 'Occupy' For Supporters

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NewsCore (FoxNY)

(NewsCore) - Union members who descended on "Occupy Wall Street" encampments armed with tents, food and organizational expertise hope to turn young demonstrators into enduring labor allies, part of a larger effort to rejuvenate the movement's aging ranks.

In the throngs of unemployed 20-somethings gathered in cities across the US, labor leaders see a chance to improve their movement's image with a generation of future workers who will be crucial to unions' survival.

In 2010, the average union worker was 45 years old, up from age 38 in 1983, said John Schmitt, an economist at the left-leaning Center for Economic and Policy Research. At the same time, overall union membership fell to 11.9 percent of the US work force from 20.1 percent.

Liz Shuler, the 41-year-old secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, flew to New York three weeks ago to check out the Zuccotti Park protest in lower Manhattan. Speaking with Rutgers University students concerned about jobs, she said, "I told them, 'Do you know there's a group out there that can help lend a voice to your concerns? It's the labor movement.' None of them know we exist."



Read more: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/your_money/unions-look-to-occupy-for-supporters-dpgonc-km-20111030_15715745

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Occupy Wall Street demonstrators at Zuccotti Park in New York City on Oct. 15, 2011. (EndPlay)

Read more: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/your_money/unions-look-to-occupy-for-supporters-dpgonc-km-20111030_15715745#ixzz1cJayJhLH

[Kashka-Kat]

1. Good, I've been saying all along that our unions should offer FREE membership to unemployed - when

something affects you personally - that's when you start looking at things more closely and connecting the dots and understanding the political dimensions to things. Unemployment can lead to asking "where did all the jobs go". Also I have found that having something to do - working with people on stuff - is great therapy & counteracts depression when youre unemployed.

[justgamma]

2. They do offer membership for free.

It's for the unemployed and non-union members. An affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

http://www.workingamerica.org/

[Kennah]

5. That is very cool and very smart

[Starry Messenger]

3. k&r

[tama]

4. Occupy unions nt