AFSCME, the largest union in the AFL-CIO, has elected a new president, Lee Saunders. He vows to continue and
extend the political operations of his predecessor, Gerald McEntee. As he puts it: "We must hold politicians of all political stripes accountable. We don't work for any political
party. We work for justice and fairness in the workplace. If someone
turns on us, it doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat or a
Republican, we will take you on and take you out." The change in leadership comes at an inflection point for public sector unionism, arriving on the heels of defeat in Wisconsin and amidst a referendum campaign in Michigan to overturn a law empowering the governor to appoint emergency managers to run strapped cities and void union contracts.
extend the political operations of his predecessor, Gerald McEntee. As he puts it: "We must hold politicians of all political stripes accountable. We don't work for any political
party. We work for justice and fairness in the workplace. If someone
turns on us, it doesn't matter whether you're a Democrat or a
Republican, we will take you on and take you out." The change in leadership comes at an inflection point for public sector unionism, arriving on the heels of defeat in Wisconsin and amidst a referendum campaign in Michigan to overturn a law empowering the governor to appoint emergency managers to run strapped cities and void union contracts.
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