Debates, Yes! Assaults, No!- The Labor Notes Conference

 As labor movement  activists who are members of the Democratic Socialists of America, we are deeply disturbed by the attempt of some Service Employees International Union staff members to forcibly disrupt the Labor Notes Conference dinner meeting in Dearborn, Mich. on April 12. 

We recognize that the demonstrators had every right to vigorously express their views on the  dispute between the SEIU and the California Nurses Association/National Nurses  Organizing Committee.  To the degree that this is a jurisdictional dispute, we do not take sides.  There are complex additional issues involved which will be addressed in future postings. However a dispute does not give anyone a license to physically disrupt meetings  of pro-labor organizations.  In fact this offensive behavior alienated the majority of conference participants, including many from SEIU itself.

As trade unionists we are vitally concerned with the ability of the labor movement to work together in fighting back against the global assaults by employers against unions and workers’ living standards. Working people need a revitalized labor movement at home and abroad, and rebuilding that movement requires that trade unionists and their allies are able to discuss and debate differences freely and openly, both within their individual unions and among their unions. Such debates will sometimes be sharp and heated, but must always be conducted without bullying, threats or intimidation.

This year’s Labor Notes Conference provided an important forum for over a thousand labor activists from 23 countries to discuss major topics of urgent concern to the U.S.  and international labor movements. Many conference participants from SEIU locals took a vigorous and active role in workshops that debated the very issues involved in the  conflict with the CNA/NNOC. Such opportunities are too rare in the labor movement, and the integrity of such an event should be respected.

Participation in democratic discussion and debate and leading by example are more effective and preferable to strong-arm tactics in winning new workers to the labor movement. We encourage both the SEIU and the CNA/NNOC to accept AFL-CIO President John Sweeney’s recommendation to sit down and attempt to resolve their conflicts in a mutually acceptable way.

Duane Campbell, Stuart Elliot, Paul Garver, Michael Hirsch, Tim Sears 

 Note; we have spent some four days discussing this letter sentence by sentence on line. We each agree with the central message. Each of us may comment, amplify or amend specific wording in the letter.

Readers are invited to join in the discussion by responding to this posting.