Union leaders to meet with Obama next week
A star-studded cast of organized labor leaders in the U.S., including the presidents of the AFL-CIO, SEIU, NEA, UFCW, steelworkers, communication workers, and the Teamsters, are scheduled to meet with President Obama in the White House early next week. The labor leaders hope to touch base with the president on several issues: the status of the health-care legislation, and what the unions can do to help it along, union opposition to the proposal of an employer-provided health care tax, union support for the Employee Free Choice Act (currently stalled under filibuster and a lack of support from moderate Democrats), and ways to help manufacturing get back on its feet. Union leaders also confirmed in the press conference that Richard Trumka will officially announce his candidacy for AFL-CIO president Thursday, with Liz Schuler of the IBEW. Ms. Schuler would be the second woman to occupy the number two position.
See "Union leaders to meet with Obama next week", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, July 7, 2009