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Solidarity Now

Solidarity is a union value that is needed now more than ever as the IBEW, the entire labor movement, the United States and Canada and the whole world continue to undergo dramatic changes. Solidarity is what keeps working people together and gives them strength in unity that otherwise would be lost through internal bickering and civil war.

In any large organization, the temptation exists for various groups or branches to put their own interests above all others and even to fight each other rather than confront the real enemy. That may be an unfortunate side of human nature, but it is a temptation that we must rise above if we are to make progress. The IBEW has stayed together for the better part of 114 years—except for a near disastrous split in the early 20th century—because our various branches recognized that only through unity would we be able to advance the cause of labor. In 1955, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) joined together because they understood that in the anti-labor political atmosphere that existed in the post-war years, unity was essential to growth and survival. That solidarity helped bring about an era when unions represented a higher proportion of the U.S. work force, about 35 percent, than at any time before or since. Today that percentage stands at 12 percent, under 10 percent in the private sector.

At a time when our solidarity should be stronger than ever, it is in danger of splintering. Late last year, the labor movement did begin a serious and constructive internal debate on how we could grow and help workers get a better deal in a corporate-dominated world. Unfortunately, not everyone’s ideas could be implemented, nor were all judged to be in the best interest of the whole trade union movement. The discussion has now degenerated into a situation where some labor leaders are engaged in personal attacks and bickering over dollars and cents in order to prove their individual point. What’s worse, they’re doing it in the media, the equivalent of standing on a street corner calling each other names. There is widespread talk of the federation splitting apart, which would be a tragedy.

The labor movement should, and must, be better than that, for the sake of all union members and all working people.

Without getting into the merits of the current AFL-CIO leadership or the validity of the arguments of their main critics, I want to assure all IBEW members that my highest priority, as your representative on the AFL-CIO Executive Council, is to stop the public feuding and keep the movement together by any means necessary.

Organized labor needs to get back to the business of fighting to protect the best interests of the working men and women of America. We need to counter the Administration’s efforts to gut Social Security, address the health care crisis and stop the export of jobs overseas through bad trade deals. We need to stop the spread of Wal-Mart’s employment philosophy and fight for good jobs with a living wage and benefits. We need to help more workers climb back into the middle class and stay there. These are some of the darkest days for working families in 100 years. Our enemies are strong enough without giving them aid and comfort by dividing the labor movement.

There is no question that we need to change. As I have been saying, the IBEW is in the midst of strategic change on many fronts—change designed to truly make a difference for the future. I intend to use the good name of the IBEW to try to bridge gaps and keep the movement united and as strong as possible. Solidarity forever—especially now.

Edwin D. Hill

International President