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The percentage of workers represented by Unions has steadily fallen to the point that less than 13 percent of U.S. workers are represented — the lowest percentage since the birth of the modern labor movement. The recent Presidential election shows that even our maximum efforts often fall short for the simple reason that we are too small. The outcome of the last presidential election would have been reversed had we only 10 percent more Union members in Ohio. The simple fact is that the status quo is not working. To be relevant again in the lives of the great majority of American workers and their families, the American labor movement must focus on rebuilding its strength and power by organizing the millions of workers who are unrepresented. And we cannot begin to embark upon this critical task unless we dramatically change the entrenched and outmoded structures and thinking that unfortunately characterize the current AFL-CIO. For that purpose, the General President, General Secretary-Treasurer and other members of the General Executive Board have enthusiastically supported the formation of the Change To Win Coalition, a group of six Unions who believe that labor can grow if we properly deploy and leverage our existing resources and focus clearly on empowering workers. For that same purpose, the General President, General Secretary-Treasurer and AFL-CIO Executive Council member and IBT International Vice President Jack Cipriani have sponsored a series of amendments and resolutions to be presented at the upcoming AFL-CIO Convention that are designed to revitalized the Federation (1) to set organizing as its first priority, (2) to insure that organizing is aimed not simply at increasing membership but at bargaining strong contracts that improve the lives of those who are organized, (3) to maintain high standards both at the Federation and within its affiliates, and (4) to require the Federation to act firmly to prevent one affiliate from undermining the standards set by another. If these proposals had been in place, the Machinists would not have been able to take carhaul work away from hardworking Teamsters. If these proposals are adopted, rogue unions such as the UTU will not be able to rejoin the Federation through a backdoor-deal with an affiliate that has no substantial density in the Rail Industry. It is not clear that these proposals will be adopted at the upcoming AFL-CIO Convention. The General President and the Presidents of the other CTWC Unions have been discussing these issues with the AFL-CIO and those discussions are continuing. It is apparent, however, that, without dramatic change in structure and leadership, the Federation and its affiliated Unions will be unable to accelerate the organizing necessary to reverse the downward trend in union membership and will be unable to protect existing contract standards that establish fair wages and working conditions for our members and the members of other responsible Unions. If there is not substantial change at the AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters must chart its own, independent course, must work with the like-minded Unions that are part of the Change To Win Coalition, and must pursue our own programs to accelerate organizing, increase Union density in our core industries, rebuild the labor movement and insure a better future for workers and their families. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the General Executive Board approves the affiliation of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters with the Change To Win Coalition; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Executive Board authorizes the General President and General Secretary-Treasurer to withdraw affiliation of the International Union from the AFL-CIO if the AFL-CIO does not agree to changes that substantially accomplish the goals set forth in the amendments and resolutions that have been submitted to the AFL-CIO Convention by the Change To Win Coalition.
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