Sweeney on the conflict between CNA and SEIU

The conflict between the California Nurses Association and the SEIU has been bitter and continuing. There is a strong prohobition against raiding in the union movement but on the other hand the SEIU seems to have been involved in some dubious contracts in a bid to expand their union. Given the weakness of the union movement in the U.S. it is rather disheartening to see two groups at each others throats instead of meeting together to iron out their differences as Sweeney suggests.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information: 202/637-5018
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Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney
On Developments in the SEIU-CNA Dispute
April 15, 2008

For several weeks I have been working to bring the Service Employee
International Union (SEIU) and the California Nurses Association/NNOC
(CNA) together to resolve their escalating dispute over
representation of nurses. Unfortunately, the deplorable events of the
weekend set back the progress we hoped to make.

There is no justification – none – for the violent attack
orchestrated by SEIU at the Labor Notes conference in Detroit. While
there may well be multiple sides to any dispute, violence is any form
is reprehensible. Violence in attacking freedom of speech must be
strongly condemned. Any attempt to deny the right of free speech
threatens the foundation of our movement and the future of working
people.

No union should understand the corrosive effect of violence better
than SEIU, which was founded by courageous janitors in the face of
employer violence in the 1920s and 1930s. I call on the leaders of
SEIU to condemn what happened in Detroit.

Likewise, I call on the leaders of SEIU to withdraw their recent
appeal to their local unions across the country to withhold dues from
AFL-CIO state federations and central labor councils as a pressure
tactic in their dispute with CNA. These organizations are not
involved in the controversy in any way, and withholding resources at
a time when we face the greatest political challenges in our history
is a damaging affront to the determined, united efforts of the entire
labor movement.

It is time for the escalation to stop. Our responsibilities as
leaders demand that we rise above our differences and disagreements
for the greater good. Last week the leaders of CNA agreed to meet
with SEIU to discuss these issues.

Today I am renewing the call for both parties to come together and
resolve the issues that divide them.
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