Chicago, Ill.
Amended March 2004 from Aug. 6, 2003
Bal Harbour, Fla.
In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of raiding of AFL-CIO affiliated unions by independent unions, often acting on behalf of or controlled by unscrupulous employers or other anti-worker organizations. Such raiding weakens the ability of legitimate unions to establish and maintain wage standards, and undermines basic trade union solidarity.
These independent unions are unimpeded by the restrictions of the AFL-CIO constitutional prohibition on raiding, and rather than organizing the unorganized workforce, make their living by preying on already organized workers or otherwise interfering with legitimate AFL-CIO organizing campaigns.
The labor movement stands united in opposition to these pariah organizations.
Such raiding has been engaged in recently by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) against unions in the air transport industry, and by AMFA’s allied organization, the Professional Flight Attendants Association (PFAA). Raiding of AFL-CIO represented security guards by the Security, Police and Fire Professionals Association (SPFPA), firefighters by the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) in New Jersey and uniformed police officers by the Fraternal Order of Police, has undermined attempts to raise the living standards of security officers, firefighters and police nationwide.
These rogue unions are also active in other sectors. Independent unions representing agricultural employees, health care workers, correction officers and public service workers, have sought to raid AFL-CIO affiliates and interfere with labor’s legitimate legislative goals at the state level. In many southern states, right-wing groups with ties to the National Right to Work Committee have established independent teachers unions, promising cheap dues, but in fact lowering the standards for all.
The AFL-CIO will take every step to stop these activities, which threaten the economic livelihood of our members. The Federation will review its policies on raiding, including the treatment of units previously raided from an AFL-CIO affiliate but now represented by an independent union upon the affiliation of such independent union by a sister affiliate, and shall consider appropriate remedies, including possible constitutional amendments, to deal with this matter.
Meanwhile, the Federation shall establish a committee of union presidents to develop a plan to respond aggressively to the threats caused by these organizations. We call on all affiliates to assist in defeating these raiders. No affiliate shall provide any assistance to any of the above named or similar organizations, nor attempt to affiliate any of these or similar organizations, until these organizations desist in these actions and enter into no-raid agreements with the appropriate AFL-CIO affiliates.