Measuring the Cost of Union In-Fighting

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IN 2004, THE CLOTHING AND TEXTILE UNION UNITE, merged with the hotel and gaming union, here. What began as the merger between two of North America's most progressive and activist-oriented unions has disintegrated into a destructive civil war.

Fierce internal politics are not new to the labour movement. The tools of union democracy provide rank-and-file members with accountability from their leaders and a source of strength for their organization. However, a divided house of labour hurts unions and working people in general. Such political in-fighting is especially harmful now. Many employers are using the current financial crisis to demand major concessions. Moreover, a divided labour movement may miss the opportunities for substantial labour law and health care reforms in the U.S.

What began as a split within UNITE HERE has rippled through the U.S. labour movement. On one side of the divide stand the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the breakaway faction of Workers' United against UNITE HERE. Many U.S. unions have lined up on one side or another, but most just want a quick resolution to the dispute. Some condemn SEIU's involvement, further heightening the divisions within the U.S. labour movement. At first, Canada appeared immune to the conflict engulfing our …