Unions Split as Bitter Presidential Campaign Exposes Divergent Agendas
- Labor divided in presidential race over Trump and trade
- Job losses, sluggish recovery undermine union solidarity
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 2016 International Convention on May 23, 2016, in Detroit.
Photographer: Bill Pugliano/Getty ImagesBefore the holidays last year, three unions representing 6.6 million active or retired service workers and public employees endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton for president. The AFL-CIO and its trade workers, representing 12.5 million people, are in no such hurry.
The split amid an unexpectedly contentious Democratic primary season has exposed contrasting agendas in organized labor. Trade unionists are exercised by international deals, which they blame for the loss of hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs. Service workers less affected by globalization advocate collective-bargaining rights and wage protection.