The AFL-CIO, the largest federation of labor unions in the country, recently endorsed President Joe Biden without making any demands in return. In an interview with HuffPost, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler explained that the endorsement was a result of Biden’s strong track record in supporting labor unions, which was enough to secure their support. The endorsement was organized in June with the participation of numerous member unions as well as unions outside the AFL-CIO, such as the Service Employees International Union and the National Education Association.
Shuler emphasized that the endorsement was not a transaction but a recognition of Biden’s commitment to putting workers first. She stated that Biden consistently prioritizes the best interests of working people and has shown this throughout his presidency. When asked if the AFL-CIO expects specific pro-union policies from Biden in his second term, Shuler mentioned that they will continue to advocate for investments in clean energy, chips, science, and infrastructure. These investments will create new industries and generate good union jobs, potentially leading to the organization of previously unimaginable workplaces.
Shuler expressed optimism about the future, believing that the AFL-CIO can build on the progress made under Biden’s administration and create more opportunities for working people in the labor movement. With over 13 million workers represented by its member unions, the AFL-CIO’s political organizing efforts are expected to play a crucial role in Biden’s reelection campaign. The federation also has a political outreach arm called Working America, which caters to working-class individuals who do not belong to unions.
Biden has proven to be a strong ally for organized labor. His American Rescue Plan Act provided significant funding to state and local governments, benefiting public-sector unions. Additionally, his administration’s implementation of the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act has led to increased factory construction, allowing unions to expand their membership in the industrial sector.
The Executive Branch under Biden has also been supportive of workers seeking to organize. Recently, Biden’s appointees to the National Labor Relations Board ruled that employers who violate labor law during a union election, resulting in the cancellation of the election, must recognize the union and begin bargaining immediately. This decision is expected to discourage companies from using illegal tactics to influence union votes.
Despite these positive developments, union membership in the U.S. remains at a record-low rate. There are still several policy changes that Biden could enact through executive order or encourage Congress to pass in order to improve the fortunes of the labor movement. For example, stricter conditions could be imposed on federal contractors to discourage interference with workers’ unionization efforts. Labor advocates have also called for the reclassification of FedEx’s Express arm to subject its employees to the National Labor Relations Act, facilitating easier union organizing.
The labor movement’s ultimate legislative goal is the passage of the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This comprehensive overhaul of U.S. labor law, first introduced by Democrats in 2019, would increase fines for employers’ violations of labor law during union drives, strengthen the National Labor Relations Act, ban state-level right-to-work laws, and provide more protections and benefits for gig economy workers.
While the PRO Act has passed the House twice, it has been effectively halted in the Democratic-controlled Senate. When asked about the AFL-CIO’s plan to pass core elements of the PRO Act, Shuler did not provide a specific strategy. However, she acknowledged that workers are passionate about the PRO Act and that it serves as a tool to keep members and workers engaged in the political process. She also noted that Biden has expressed his willingness to sign the bill if it reaches his desk, indicating his support for the legislation.
In conclusion, the AFL-CIO’s endorsement of President Biden was based on his strong track record in supporting labor unions. While no specific demands were made, the AFL-CIO remains optimistic about the future and hopes to continue building on the progress made under the Biden administration. The federation will advocate for investments in key industries and work towards passing pro-union policies, such as the PRO Act, to further support the labor movement.
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