The changing face of organized labor

In These Times' David Moberg has a great, albeit short profile on the Change to Win Foundation, a new labor federation. With the break up of the AFL-CIO this summer, it will be interesting to see how these two big federations partner with each other to further their common goals. But it's also important to understand how CWF will differ from AFL-CIO. One of the key issue:

The debate about whether Change to Win needed to leave the AFL-CIO to pursue its laudable organizing objectives is over. Now the question is whether the two federations can cooperatively pursue separate strategies toward a common goal. Stern says that CTW unions will never return to the AFL-CIO, but leaves open the possibility for a new unified labor organization. In the meantime, it appears that at least unity on the local level may be preserved, and that will make leaders like John Ryan a little bit happier.

As the article makes clear, the changes Big Labor is experienced this year are the most significant in thirty years. Go read it now.