The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is rejoining the AFL-CIO after a 20-year separation, aiming to enhance the labor movement's ability to support workers' rights amidst ongoing organizational challenges. Announced on Wednesday, the union groups' decision will be formally revealed at a roundtable in Austin, Texas, on Thursday. This reintegration brings an additional 2 million SEIU members, boosting AFL-CIO's membership to nearly 15 million members across the federation's 60 unions.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and SEIU President April Verrett clarified that this move is not a reaction to President-elect Trump's political activities. However, they emphasized the importance of strengthening organized labor's influence in a political climate where labor support can be inconsistent. "We are amassing our forces," Shuler stated, underscoring the determination to maintain a powerful presence. Verrett added the election outcome affirmed their decision but was not the cause, noting a commitment to organize "in unprecedented ways."
The return of SEIU, which left the AFL-CIO in 2005, addresses a shared objective to reverse the declining trend in US union membership. Union leaders believe the increased capacity for collaboration will bolster efforts to counteract employer and governmental hurdles to unionization. Meanwhile, with the Democratic endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris following President Biden's campaign exit, labor politics remain pivotal, as illustrated by the varied endorsements and the 18% union household voter turnout in November's elections. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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