This story has not gained much traction yet other than in a story in yesterday's New York Times. However, UNITE HERE, one of the most prominent unions in the country, is on the verge of splitting and is currently engaged in what amounts to a civil war.
Ironically, I think the lead in the story puts the whole conflict into perspective:
With the economy in crisis and a new labor-friendly president in the White House, this should be a time when labor unions pull together.
Labor has had its fair share of conflicts lately, in 2005 with the creation of Change to Win (which I supported), and an ongoing and very public conflict within SEIU to undermine the leadership of Andy Stern, who I support at the helm of that union but with whom I disagree on the UNITE HERE issue.
It seems like the UNITE HERE problem is simply the product of egos that need to be brought under control. Both parts of the union complements the other - UNITE with the money and HERE with room for expansion. The problem is simply managerial.
Read More