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Rift within the AFL-CIO: Vanderbilt University labor expert available
7/26/2005
11:58 am
Rift within the AFL-CIO about class, not power: Dan Cornfield, Vanderbilt University labor expert and professor of sociology, says the labor unions' split is not a power grab, but a response to the AFL-CIO's not giving priority to recruiting low-wage workers. He says the dissident unions tend to organize low-wage service and construction workers ñ who are also disproportionately women, ethnic-racial minorities and immigrants ñ while the unions who continue to identify with the AFL-CIO tend to represent better-paid workers in the unionized large corporations in heavy industry, communications, transportation, the public sector and the skilled building trades. Cornfield believes a full split among the unions could politically endanger the labor movement, although it might lead to short-term membership gains and improvement in the livelihoods of the lowest-paid workers. Cornfield is editor of "Work and Occupations," a scholarly journal that covers work, employment and labor issues. He is the author of more than 40 articles and seven books on work, employment and labor issues, including his co-edited book, "Labor Revitalization: Global Perspectives and New Initiatives." To interview Cornfield, call 615-322-2706. After hours, call the Vanderbilt News Service pager at 615-951-5472.
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