Better Late Than Never?

The California Labor Federation has voted to oppose Proposition 85, set to appear on this fall's ballot (article). It's about time. Actually, it was time decades ago.

This is really a no-brainer, but also a sign of where labor unions are and have been. The fact that this comes up as a "controversial" decision makes it clear that labor has not taken the leadership role that it should. The group most harmed by abortion restrictions are working women. It is working women who must lead a fight for abortion rights, since they are the ones that face it not simply as a moral issue but as an economic issue.

The article brings up a notion that should be laughed at: the idea that such a decision isn't necessarily representing all of the members. The role of leadership is to lead, and more so in a labor organization. Leaders should represent the interests of workers, but as leaders they should realize the need to fight greater problems in society which are in the interest of all workers. This would be a much more fruitful investment of their resources than dumping money down the Democrat hole.

The reasoning behind this vote which the article points to, and doubtlessly is a major factor, is that unions are relying more and more on "liberal" elements to man their campaigns and work as allies in various fights. One downside to this is that it appeals more to the morals of these outsiders. A robust movement would pull these people in without effort, instead gaining its strength from individual workers who see real possibility in fighting as workers. And that should be the morality of a labor organization.