Since January of this year, 12 labor unions have been discussing a possible reunification after seven unions split off from the AFL-CIO in 2005. At issue is what sort of organization the reunification would form. Union leaders are negotiating dues, leadership structures, and group goals ? but at this point many are skeptical that the talks will be successful. Leaders have set a deadline of April 15th and some agreement has actually already been reached: officials expect the new federation to focus on politics, for example.
See "Unions Face Obstacles in Effort to Reunite", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, March 8, 2009