I will never forget Trumka’s moving endorsement of Obama in 2008. He specifically encouraged a mostly white UMW to get past the racism and hit that speech out of the park.
We have lost a great American.
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RIP to a labor organizer. Yet, I have my criticisms of his leadership of AFL-CIO. I was always hoping he would turn AFL into a fighting union but he seemed to become enchanted by the Democratic machine, the flashy dinners, and the $1200 suits, and the needed transformation for union solidarity never really happened. Under his watch, the AFL remained a purely corporate union, always on the defense while the Republicans stole away more and more working people from the potential of a progressive plurality. And, in lock step to the GOPs lies, the rank-and-file voted for the most fraudulent anti-union con to bring his bratty family into the WH in 2016. This all, as you must know, in a time when we needed more, and stronger, unions. So much for his legacy. Still,I suppose his early years before he was embraced by the DC circuit were remarkable, and his ‘Vote for Obama’ speech memorable.
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I get that Obama had only so much political Capital and spent it on ACA and not Card Check but IMHO it was reniging on Card Check that broke the “Blue Wall”.
Signed : a dedicated union pensioner.
ETA: Biden is out front with the PRO Act. Good on him. He’s learned from Obama’s mistake.
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