As Labor Faces Turning Point, UNITE HERE National Convention OpensRandy Shawbyline‚ Jun. 29‚ 2009UNITE HERE, best known for its Hotel Workers Rising campaign and successful organizing of the nation’s gaming industry, opens its national convention in Chicago today. When the event was scheduled, it seemed a perfect occasion for celebrating five years of increased union membership in its core jurisdictions, despite tough economic times. Instead, UNITE HERE’s celebration is joined by its now facing competition in its core jurisdictions from SEIU. As UNITE HERE Local 2 President Mike Casey puts it, “SEIU is trying to be the company union in our industries, so we are battling both SEIU and employers.” President Barack Obama has been such a strong backer of UNITE HERE that in 2007 he walked its Congress Hotel picket line and vowed to return after winning the presidency. But SEIU’s attacks on its one-time close ally have undermined labor’s efforts to push a unified platform under its long-awaited pro-union president, weakening the campaign for passing the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The convention should illuminate how other unions view this fight, and whether SEIU will soon find itself not just opposed by UNITE HERE but by much of the labor movement. |