Labor's Love

The AFL-CIO plots a strategy

If organized labor is openly hostile to the policies of Ronald Reagan in the midst of 1982's record unemployment, which last week reached a new 41-year high of 9.8%, it was not particularly happy with Jimmy Carter in the White House either. In 1980 Carter got labor's nod, but after the election, AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland urged that his federation change its political approach to avoid facing "a choice between Dracula and Frankenstein." Last week the AFL-CIO moved to prevent a horror show in 1984.

Meeting in New York City, the 15 million member federation's executive council unanimously approved an ambitious but potentially risky plan to endorse a presidential candidate as early as December 1983. This is before the primaries get under way and is a dramatic repudiation of organized labor's traditional habit of remaining politically neutral until the national conventions nominate candidates. The change would guard against a 1984 collapse of labor unity. In the last general election, 44% of union voters picked Reagan despite their leaders' endorsement of Carter.

Under the new plan, the AFL-CIO'S 99 affiliated unions will collectively endorse a presidential candidate, if two-thirds can agree. Given labor's current woes, the choice will probably be a Democrat. However, if an acceptable Republican emerges, a separate G.O.P. endorsement may be made. One problem with this scheme: the early endorsement could help a front runner who might fade in the stretch. Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy currently leads the parade, followed by former Vice President Walter Mondale. Senator Gary Hart of Colorado, invited to address the New York meeting, was worried that the plan "discriminates a little bit against those of us who are so-called new faces."

Kirkland argued that if labor leaders waited until several key primaries had taken place, they would be "surrendering before we have a chance to have a go at it." Still, even union officials who like the idea admit that there is no guarantee that an AFL-CIO endorsement will bind every local. "I can't stand here and tell you that no one will jump the traces," said William Winpisinger, president of the machinists. Nonetheless, union officials believe that Reaganomics will provide reason enough to keep everyone in line. Recent polls indicate that union members who voted for Reagan in 1980 are growing unhappy with the Administration. A Harris poll taken in July showed support for the President among union members sagging at 33%, down from 48% a year ago.

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