The schism is now wider and deeper.

[dogman]

Is the Union movement cannibalizing itself?
http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-labor15.html
Snip>The unions representing laborers and operating engineers, two of the largest basic construction trades unions in the country, said they will leave an AFL-CIO's Building Trades alliance and team with four construction unions to form a new group.
Snip>The reforms he cited included:


*Changing outdated jurisdictional rules, which dictate which union members can do what type of work.

*Bringing about weighted voting on issues, which would give larger unions a greater voice.

*Streamlining operations and replacing the department's officers with an executive director in an attempt to remove politics from the equation.

The reforms sought will be put into practice in the new alliance, representatives said.<snip

So will it be a race to the bottom for wages as each claims the other's work? There may be increased membership for some unions, but only by undercutting each other. We are finally seeing big labor leaders adopt the practices of businesses like Walmart. Increased volume in dues will enable them to live high on the hog while the members work for less IMO.

[demosincebirth]

1. Your last paragraph hits the nail right on the head.

Many labor leaders in cities around the country, make decisions to benefit themselves and not the workers they represent. Once they get themselves in office 95% of the time its a lifetime appointment, and its hell getting them out of office, even though they screw the rank and file left and right. Rank and Filers are faced, at times, with a two-pronged attack. From the corporation they work for, and second, and at times, from some union official whose only interest is to line his pockets.

[dogman]

2. Now we see more of the same.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-nws-sweet09.html
Snip>Roskam, a state senator from Wheaton, today will be endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 25 and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.

This endorsement gives Roskam entree into union households that traditionally vote Democratic.

Brian Rainville, the executive director of the Teamsters joint council, said they will back Roskam because they have a "good relationship with him in the Legislature'' and he has been particularly helpful on a picketing bill.<snip

This is just more splintering led by the Teamsters and the Operators who have been flirting with the GOP for some time. For those not familiar with Illinois politics, Roskam is a protege of DeLay. The Democratic candidate Duckworth is one of the Fighting Dems. She is a double-amputee veteran of the Iraq War

[demosincebirth]

3. Mr Hoffa of the teamsters, has a close,relationship with

Cong. Hoekstra, going back to his lawyering days.