Public Employee Press

Speakers at CUNY: Labor corruption aids enemies

Organizing individual workers into a powerful whole and fighting to improve their pay and conditions — to most unionists this is what the labor movement is all about. But the recent federal charges against former Central Labor Council leader Brian McLaughlin raised again the question of corruption in labor’s midst.

Probing the causes and effects of this persistent problem, CUNY’s Joseph Murphy Institute devoted its Dec. 8 Labor Breakfast to the topic with Daily News reporter and long-time labor activist Juan Gonzalez as moderator.

Institute Director Greg Mantsios noted that many questioned the need for such a public discussion. Speaking before a packed audience of union officials, staff, rank-and-file members, labor educators and students, he said the Institute is committed to a strong and vibrant labor movement as the best hope for a just and equitable society. “To achieve this, we need to tackle the tough issues,” he said.

Acting Central Labor Council head Ed Ott bit the bullet in his opening remarks. “I wouldn’t want to duck it,” he said. “The labor movement can’t build itself behind closed doors. We need to engage in public forums — warts and all.”

Panelist Robert Fitch, author of “Solidarity for Sale,” which includes chapters on DC 37, said labor must uphold different ethical principles from those of the corporate world. “I would like to uphold the soft bigotry of high expectations,” he said. “Labor requires more demanding standards. The norms of Wall Street won’t make a union strong.”

Labor attorney Susan Jennik brought her experience overseeing government monitoring of corrupt unions to her presentation. “Unions can avoid this by taking action ourselves,” she said.

Labor journalist Tom Robbins of The Village Voice pointed out that opponents are eager to hurt the movement by publicizing the dirty facts. “And the general public looks on and says: ‘If you want to keep fighting our battles for justice, you’re going to have to tackle this thing.’”
In conclusion, Jennik said, “our ideals should be reflected in our practice.”

—Jane LaTour