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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Solidarity Day (09/19/1981)
(3 of 5)
Box: 24
To see more digitized collections visit:
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Targeted Program Urged
Long-Term Tax-Cut Schemes
Lack Fairness, Effectiveness
B
OTH OF THE long-term tax-cut programs
industry. What America needs, he said, is a co-
devised by the Reagan Administration and
herent re-industrialization program under which a
the House Ways & Means Committee fail the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation would direct
tests of equity and economic effectiveness, an
tax benefits to companies needing help.
AFL-CIO legislative representative declared in a
"Anything beyond one year is putting a mort-
VIZATIONS
network radio interview.
gage on the future at a time when there is
Stephen Koplan said on Labor News Confer-
tremendous uncertainty," he said. "We have sug-
ence that the proposals to give business an across-
gested a one-year business tax cut that is targeted
the-board tax cut of two-thirds of a trillion dollars
and has a $5-billion cap for tax cuts and $5
over 10 years ought to be scrapped in favor of a
billion more for non-tax subsidies, and a one-
one-year program carefully targeted toward areas
year individual tax credit of $16 billion for work-
and industries most in need and in which real
ers and $4 billion for employers. Then Congress
productivity gains are most achievable.
could look to see whether it should be reauthor-
ized."
LABOR NEWS
Koplan urged that proposed three-year indi-
CONF ERENCE
vidual tax cuts that would bring greatest benefits
ORGANIZED LABOR asks three things of
to high-bracket taxpayers be replaced by a 20-
whatever tax package is adopted, Koplan said:
percent refund of social security taxes paid by
"One, on the business side we would like to see
TAX PROGRAMS being shaped in Congress fail the test of
workers and a 5-percent credit for social security
a substantial cutback, through targeting, in the
fairness and would put a mortgage on the nation's future, AFL
taxes paid by employers.
amount of revenue lost to the Treasury. Second,
CIO Legislative Rep. Stephen Koplan, center, said on Labo
He pointed out that the lion's share of the
on the individual sidè, we have called for sub-
News Conference. Questioning him were Sandra Teeley of the
proposed business cuts would flow to electrical
stantial equity in the lower and middle-income
Washington Post and Ben Rathbun of the Bureau of National
and gas utilities-regulated industries in no need
brackets. Third, we urge that Congress not mort-
Affairs publication, Daily Labor Report. The public affair
of special tax windfalls-and to the oil refining
gage the future."
interview is aired weekly on Mutual Radio.
An antidote to NCPAC-SICKPAC
Solidarity Day-September 19-can be more than
Now NCPAC-SICKPAC is at it again. The political
think the investment is worth it. As they see it, in th
a protest against governmental policies aimed at re-
medflies are already buzzing around Senators such as
long run, it's cheaper to buy a government of unio
pealing the Roosevelt New Deal and substituting for
Metzenbaum of Ohio, Kennedy of Massachusetts and
busters than to keep on paying union-busting COI
Sarbanes of Maryland, using distortions to run "nega-
sultants-P.J.Z.
it the Reagan raw deal.
tive campaigns" to defeat these friends of the IAM and
It can be a positive way for each member to fight
its members.
back against the multi-million dollar political action com-
mittees (PACs) that manipulate such policies.
One of the ugly trademarks of anti-workers groups
such as NCPAC-SICKPAC is this "negative campaign"
MNPL: Another antidote
Typical of these groups that use hate as bait to
against candidates who are friendly to workers.
In addition to participation in Solidarity
reel in millions of dollars, is the National Conservative
Day, IAM members have an ongoing year-
Political Action Committee. It is corporate corruption
In these well-financed campaigns, NCPAC-SICKPAC
round weapon they can use against the epi-
turned into flesh and blood.
attacks the candidate-often with distortions and reg-
demic of sick NCPAC and similar organiza-
ularly with untruths, according to many past victims.
Its nickname is NCPAC. It's pronounced NICKPAC.
tions.
It's victims call it SICKPAC because of the twisted prop-
There is a good reason for this tactic. Because
It's MNPL checkoff. Local 834, Wichita, KS,
aganda it uses against any lawmaker who dares to vote
NCPAC operates as an "independent," only attacking,
is the most recent example of Local activity to
against corporate corruption and for workers and con-
candidates rather than supporting candidates, it is able
make the checkoff of voluntary contributions to
sumers.
to skirt laws which limit campaign expenses on behalf
the Machinists Non-Partisan Political League
NCPAC, like its cousin BIPAC, (Business Industry
of any given candidate.
(MNPL) a reality at the workplace.
Political Action Committee) and similar Right Wing
In 1974 Congress placed restrictions on the amount
The Local held a contest during the month
money machines, stands indicted for skirting federal law
of money a candidate could receive from a single con-
of May. At the beginning of the month, the
and buying-not votes-but whole governments as it
tribution and established the Federal Election Commis-
Local had 67 members checking off $141.50
did with the Congress and the White House last year.
sion to regulate campaign spending.
per month for MNPL. At the end of May, 417
In that election, according to Federal Election Commis-
members were on checkoff, yielding $1,132.88
sion figures, NCPAC-SICKPAC collected $8,655,664
But NCPAC flouts this regulation and skirts the law
monthly, according to Bill Lamb, business agent
and spent $8,230,395.
by engaging in "independent expenditures" outside of the
for IAM District 70, with which Local 834 is
law.
affiliated.
A good portion of that money was spent, to defeat
Senators, Representatives and other who boasted of
"Independent expenditures" is a fancy name that
Lamb said the Local conducted an education
long and stable records as friends of workers.
springs from a U.S. Supreme Court decision. The de-
program before the contest and stewards can-
cision held that Congress could restrict the amount of
vassed 20 to 30 workers each by shift. Lamb
money contributed directly TO a candidate. But Con-
credited Plant Chairmen Ron Eldridge and Joe
AFL-CIO
gress could not restrict amounts spent to OPPOSE a
Birkle, Organizer Joe Taggart and the Local
candidate as long as such money is spent independently
executive board and stewards headed by Presi-
of any candidate.
dent Lawrence Tate.
The IAM has obtained through the most reliable
Local 834 members are
sources, a game plan which the sick NCPAC and its
now calling Lew Taylor,
head, John T. Dolan, put out for use in Texas. It is
left, "super steward."
a textbook on how to elect candidates who will put the
Taylor's shop is 100%
nation's workforce back into sweatshops.
union in a Right to
Work (for less) state
The top secret document appears on Pages 4 and 5
and now 100% on
and speaks eloquently of just how NCPAC-SICKPAC
MNPL checkoff follow-
operates. Worker hatred does not come cheap, as the
ing his leadership in the
document shows. If you want to play hard ball with
local contest.
NCPAC-SICKPAC, it will cost you-plenty.
SEPTEMBER 19, 1981
Those who play in the league of corporate corruption
PRIORITY ONE-ORGANIZE
AUGUST 1981
THE MACHINIST
PAGE
HIGHER HEALTH COSTS FOR STATES, CONSUMERS
Conservative Health Care Proposals
Would Slash Services, Benefits
T
WO YEARS AGO, the major health
and more conservative-chairmen
this year, most of which immediately
care debate in the country centered
Orrin G. Hatch, an arch-conservative
drew the heated opposition of organized
on the comprehensive national health
from Utah, has taken over the Senate
labor, state governors and various
insurance package Senator Edward M.
Labor and Human Resources Commit-
interests representing consumers,
Kennedy (D-Mass.) was trying to nur-
tee. One of his first actions was to
working people and the poor.
ture through a Democratic and funda-
abolish the subcommittee on health
Among the legislation to be consid-
mentally sympathetic Congress.
and announce that all health legisla-
ered are proposals to:
Today, such a liberal approach to
tion in the future would be reviewed by
Curtail sharply the federal contri-
health care needs is suddenly light-
the entire - Republican-controlled -
bution to the Medicaid program.
years away from the political realities
committee.
More than $1 billion would be cut
that have overtaken Capitol Hill.
It was the health subcommittee that
from this vital program, which is the
Gone are the proposals that would
Senator Kennedy had used so often in
health care program most targeted to
have enabled everyone to obtain com-
the past to campaign for national
help the needy. If Medicaid is slashed,
petent medical care in the event of
health insurance. Senator Hatch
said the AFL-CIO in an analysis of the
catastrophic illness or injury.
wanted to ensure that a repeat per-
1982 budget proposals, the inability of
Gone, too, are policy-makers working
formance was not in the offing.
the poor to pay for health care could
toward making adequate health insur-
David Durenberger (R-Minn.) has
increase chronic illness, mortality rates
ance and health care programs afford-
become chairman of the Senate Fi-
and disability, particularly of children.
able and available to every American.
nance Committee's health subcommit-
The proposals to cut back on Medicaid
In their places have come conserva-
tee.
funding could affect 22 million persons.
tives who hold high the banners of
Durenberger has said he favors the
Dismantle the array of categorical
"competition" and "free enterprise"-ir
conservative approach of less govern-
grant programs built up over a number
short, the rallying cries of doctors, hos-
ment control over the health care in-
of years.
pital administrators and others in the
dustry and also advocates the massive
These specific grants would be re-
health care field.
budget cuts before Congress that
placed by a system of block grants that,
While the legislative battle lines have
would, among other things, slash
rather than addressing particular prob-
not been firmly drawn yet, it is clear
Medicaid benefits.
lem areas, would be used by state ad-
that conservatives in the Reagan Ad-
Rep. Andrew Jacobs Jr. (D-Ind.) was
ministrators in a more discretionary
ministration and in the House and Sen-
made chairman of the House Ways and
manner. While this measure would
ate intend to call for a full-scale retreat
Means Committee's health panel only
allow state officials to spend the funds
from government involvement in
because no other senior Democrat
however they see fit, it also entails a
health care.
wanted the post.
significant reduction in the available
Such a retreat - which critics say
Jacobs says he is not overly critical of
money.
almost inevitably will lead to a tight
the conservative philosophy about
Abolish the nation's health plan-
budget squeeze on state governments,
slashing health and medical care pro-
ning system and professional standards
fewer health care facilities and pro-
grams and services, adding that such
review organizations.
grams for citizens and a reduced
legislation would "merit sympathetic
These would be phased out over the
chance to rein in accelerating medical
hearings."
next two years despite the fact that
costs-apparently will be well received
Waxman, the only committee chair-
these two regulatory vehicles have, to
in Congress.
man held over from the last session of
an extent, controlled costly duplication
With the right wing surge in last fall's
Congress, heads the House Energy and
of health care services and ensured
elections, the complexion of the con-
Commerce Subcommittee on Health
proper distribution of facilities and ser-
gressional committees most involved
and the Environment.
vices as means of restraining medical
with health care legislation has
As has been the case in the past,
costs.
changed radically.
Waxman finds himself saddled with an
Close the eight hospitals operated
Of the four subcommittee chairmen
increasingly conservative panel that is
by the Public Health Service. Fifteen
with responsibility for health bills in the
not likely to buck the administration or
similar hospitals already have been
last Congress, only Rep. Henry A.
the New Right.
closed in recent years.
Waxman (D-Calif.) remains in place.
These four chairmen already have
These Public Health Service hospi-
The other three were replaced by new-
been presented with a bundle of bills
tals provide needed medical care to
6
UA Journal
low-income persons in their areas as
well as to merchant seamen and their
dependents.
Drop all subsidies for training
Health Care
physicians and other health care pro-
fessionals.
No new scholarships would be of-
Program
fered under this program which had of-
fered tuition and living expenses to
medical students in exchange for later
service in areas of the country that are
in dire need of doctors and other profes-
sionals.
Eliminate all federal tax subsidies
to health maintenance organizations,
which have been credited by many for
holding down health care costs by pro-
viding pre-paid medical care that does
away with unnecessary service.
The most controversial of these pro-
posals is to slam down a lid on the fed-
eral contribution to Medicaid.
The administration wants to let the
federal contribution to the program in-
crease by only 5 per cent in 1982, de-
spite the fact that Medicaid costs are
expected to rise by at least 15 per cent
next year.
A drop of that magnitude in the fed-
eral support would be certain to put an
unforeseen budget squeeze on state
governments, which already pay nearly
half the costs of administering the
federally-mandated Medicaid program.
The conservative rationale behind
the cut in federal funding is that it
would be an "incentive" for states to
curb waste, fraud and other abuses in
the system more aggressively.
But the nation's governors almost
unanimously have rejected that argu-
ment, saying there already are suffi-
cient safeguards and "incentives" in the
BUDGET CUTS
program.
Besides, they say, the states are
scrimping to pay for the program even
without the cut in federal monies.
The net effect of such a reduction
would be to shift the tax burden from
the federal government to the states-
June 1981
Health Care
(Continued)
assuming that the governors are will-
direct, specific federal money.
ing to accept that burden. At a time
A former staff director for the Senate
when calls for tax increases rile even
subcommittee that oversees health
the most apathetic of voters, those
program appropriations said the pro-
Medicaid services may be allowed to
posed switch in funding methods "is a
slide.
complete turnaround in concept" from
If the states find they must cut
providing support for health programs
Medicaid benefits, one health care in-
that were being ignored by the states.
dustry analyst says, that would just put
Those two major aspects of the ad-
a greater burden on public hospitals,
ministration's health care package -
which generally pass on the costs of car-
capping the federal contribution to
ing for uninsured poor persons to their
Medicaid and resorting to block grants
paying customers - thus increasing
for health services - are part of the
health care inflation.
overall attempt to come up with the
Another major area of concern is the
"competition" legislation that doctors
proposal to do away with the categori-
and others in the health care field are
cal grant programs-those that receive
clamoring for.
federal dollars for specific problems
These "competition" measures would
ranging from lead-based paint poison-
either require employers, or encourage
ing to venereal disease.
them through tax incentives, to offer
Substituted for these categorical
employees a choice of health plans.
grants would be block grants, or lump
Each plan would have to provide at
sums of money that state administra-
least a certain basic level of coverage,
tors could spend however they choose in
including some type of insurance for
the four broad areas of preventive
catastrophic illness.
health services, basic health services,
The problem with this arrangement
social services and emergency services.
is that regardless of which plan em-
Part of the theory behind this move
ployees eventually choose, the em-
delights state officials, who long have
ployer's contribution to the cost of the
campaigned for greater control over the
plan would remain the same.
federal monies that flow back into their
Workers, in turn, would have to kick
states.
in a higher proportion of their wages to
But there is a major trade-off here.
cover the balance if they opt for fuller
Under the conservatives' proposal,
coverage.
block grants would bring into the states
In short, conservative proposals
25 per cent less money than do the cur-
would drastically curtail many benefi-
rent categorical grants.
cial health care programs and shift the
Federal proponents of the plan claim
costs of what remains to already over-
that the difference can be made up by
burdened state governments.
administrative savings. State officials,
In the long run, it is the average,
on the other hand, say the savings
hard-working American taxpayer who
would be more on the order of only 10
will bear the burden of increased cost
per cent.
and less health protection.
Once again, the states would be left
These Republican programs repre-
holding the bag.
sent a reversal of years of hard-fought,
Aside from budgetary considerations
conscientious legislation that ad-
at the state level, there is an even
dressed a multitude of health care
greater concern by social activists who
needs.
worked for years to correct deficiencies
These conservative proposals are not
in state health plans with infusions of
worthy of our support.
8
UA Journal
CD Conference-
Some 225 Construction Divi-
ments, continuing education for
sion staffers met in Kansas City
the membership, and the future
last month for their Fourth An-
of the construction industry in
nual Construction Division Con-
light of the conservative Congress
ference.
and President which could result
prelude to
Chairing the proceedings was
in significant anti-union legisla-
Construction Division Director
tion.
Henry Harden. The three-day
Given the current economic
session would set the stage for the
situation and predictions of mas-
Centennial Convention to be held
Chicago
sive unemployment if Adminis-
in Chicago this summer.
tration budget slashes are ap-
Major issues confronting the
proved by Congress, the delegates
delegates included craft jurisdic-
set about to build a solid base for
tion, automation for fast, easy
the direction of their 30,000 fel-
access to thousands of docu-
low construction Boilermakers.
by RHONDA M. LERNER
CONFERENCE DELEGATES-CD Boilermakers gather for the fourth Annual Construction Division Conference in Kansas City last month.
AFSCME Local 1550 Pres. Ora Lee
Connecticut Local 1716's Eugene
Francis was honored recently as one
King, left, and steward Angelo
of the outstanding women community
DeStephano joined other local mem-
leaders in Houston. Francis-a dietary
bers in preparing the Elizabeth Park
employee at Jefferson Davis Hospital
Rose Garden for the annual Rose
-received a plaque citing her con-
Time Show in West Hartford last
Another in a series of International Union training and education seminars
tributions on the job and to her union
month. The local members cultivate
drew AFSCME activists from across the nation for classes in collective bar-
and community. A former state presi-
and maintain 15,000 rose bushes
dent of the A. Philip Randolph Insti-
viewed by thousands of visitors from
gaining techniques. Participants in the week-long sessions held at the George
tute, Francis currently serves as vice-
all over the world. The AFSCME
Meany Labor Center near Washington, D.C. included, from left, first row:
International Education staffer Marsha Anderson and International N.Y.
chair of the Harris County AFL-CIO
workers recently helped complete a
Volunteers in Politics.
massive project to restore the garden
staffers Joanna Williams and Arne Wipfler. Second row: CSEA/AFSCME
to its original beauty.
Local 1000's Tom Quimby, Diane Campion and Gerald Phelan, Wash. State
Council 2's Marsha Saylor, Pa. Council 84's Robert Bosh, Council 88's Don
DeTemple, Minn. Council 3's Steve Marincel, III. Council 31's Jo Pressler
and N.J. Council 52's Elizabeth Baker. Third row: arbitrator Tom Colosi,
International Special Rep. P.J. Ciampa, International Education Director
Dave Williams, Council 2's Randy Withrow, International Research Director
Linda Lampkin, N.H. Council 68's Joyce Anderson, Del. Council 81's
Betty Grant and N.J. Council 73's Harold Adams.
for Distor
R
Over 1,500 AFSCME members and well-wishers gathered to honor AFSCME
Judicial Panel Chair David Trask, right, at a recent dinner in Hawaii. Above,
Newly elected officers and members of Virginia Local 3134-Richmond city
HGEA Local 152 Exec. Director Russell Okata and AFSCME Pres. Jerry Wurf
employees-recently received their official AFSCME charter. Proudly holding
present Trask with an International Executive Board resolution praising the
the local charter are Vice Pres. Jeb Dyson, left, and Pres. Stanley Blackwell.
long-time HGEA leader and International vice president. At the dinner, a
Also on hand were Council 30 Pres. Ray Benton, far left, and Council 30
"this is your life" presentation highlighted a festive program honoring Trask.
Director Bob Stewart, second from right.
ANTI-UNION FORTRESS
FALLS TO AFSCME
Disappointed but not discouraged,
ous departments who believed that
By Bill Fischer
"
a determined core of activists kept on
some day justice would be served here.
Altoona, Pa.-This central Pennsyl-
They tried to
telling the AFSCME story, countering
"Then, when bargaining got un-
vania community and the surrounding
the effects of the 3-M campaign and a
der way," adds Williams, "other work-
area has long been an AFSCME strong-
defeat our union
right-to-work committee within the hos-
ers began to realize that despite all the
hold.
but that only
pital.
delays, the challenges, the propaganda
Most city and state workers as well
Almost a year after the crushing
-we were going to get a contract."
as school, nursing home and hospital
made us
defeat, the hospital workers voted three-
Finally-on April 24-nearly
employees around here are members
"
to-two for AFSCME.
three years after the original pro-union
of AFSCME local unions.
stronger.
The hospital's stunned administra-
vote, the hospital workers ratified their
But AFSCME has never been able
tors quickly filed charges against the
first contract.
-Herb
to crack one of the area's largest em-
union with the National Labor Rela-
The three-year agreement means
Williams
ployers-the Altoona Hospital-un-
tions Board (NLRB).
wage boosts of 50$ an hour this year
til now.
Over the next several months, the
and 55$ an hour in each of the remain-
Over the years, AFSCME leaders
hospital lost not only the original chal-
ing two years, plus a $100 bonus.
note, the hospital's administrators have
lenge but three more appeals. Still,
Among a host of non-economic
been so strongly anti-union that the
hospital officials refused to begin con-
gains, the union hammered out a strong
hospital resisted and effectively blocked
tract talks.
seniority rights clause that will govern
efforts to organize the 750 employees.
Finally, fed up with management's
job layoff, transfer and bidding proce-
The low point of AFSCME's or-
footdragging, AFSCME charged the
dures.
ganizing attempts came in a 1978 rep-
hospital with refusing to bargain in
Was the pain and frustration worth
resentation election which the union
good faith.
it?
lost by a three-to-two margin. That de-
The NLRB agreed and though it
"You bet," declares Williams, the
feat, notes Council 83 Director Jim
took several more months and three
local's president. "We're going to make
Myers, was due largely to the efforts
more unsuccessful appeals, the hospital
this a strong union (nearly 600 of the
of Modern Management Methods-
finally came to the bargaining table.
eligible 750 employees are already
"3-M"-a notorious anti-worker out-
Herb Williams, a 10-year main-
members).
fit which ran the hospital's campaign.
tenance mechanic, recalls the long bat-
"We stand ready to help our broth-
"It was a slick operation," recalls
tle for recognition.
ers and sisters in the other nearby AF-
Myers. "Their sophisticated materials
"Each time we won," notes Wil-
SCME locals, just as they helped us
were loaded with anti-union propa-
liams, "it gave us renewed strength. We
through this long, successful fight,"
ganda."-
had a solid group of workers from vari-
sums up Williams.
To: RD - -senetto Bill 0.
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Seniors Rally for Social Security
AFL-CIO News
ABOR'S AF:00 CENTENNIA ®
Vol. XXVI
3
Saturday, July 25, 1981
No. 30
10,000 Condemn Slashes
As Budget-Balancing Ploy
By Susan Dunlop
join with the AFL-CIO on Sept. 19 at the
federation's Solidarity Day Rally in Wash-
Thousands of older Americans jammed
ington.
the steps of the U.S. Capitol at a July 21
"Save Our Security" rally sponsored by the
House Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill (D-
labor-supported National Council of Se-
Mass.) told the gathering that social secu-
nior Citizens as a highlight of its legislative
rity had been "supported by a president
conference.
who cared, Franklin Roosevelt, and passed
by a Congress who cared" as a way of
The nearly 10,000 demonstrators, led
responding to America's "economic and
by the more than 3,000 delegates to the
spiritual crisis of the 1930s."
three-day conference, braved 90-degree
heat to hear senators and representatives
The Reagan Administration should be
blast the Reagan Administration's propos-
held to its campaign promises to make
als to cut social security benefits as part
the protection of benefits "the overriding
of its plan to balance the federal budget.
concern" of any reform of the system, he
declared.
AS DEMONSTRATORS waved signs
and banners urging Congress to preserve
SEN. EDWARD M. KENNEDY (D-
social security benefits, inside the Capitol
Mass.), among several dozen legislators
both houses were voting on measures in-
appearing at the rally to express support
tended to save the $122 a month mini-
for social security, branded the attempts
mum benefit slated for elimination under
to cut the program "a breach of faith
the Administration's budget program.
with 36 million social security recipients
and 100 million American workers who
The House voted overwhelmingly for a
continue to pay for the program and look
non-binding resolution favoring continua-
to it for benefits."
tion of all current benefits, but the Senate
voted along party lines to reject an amend-
At the conference's general sessions,
ment to a tax bill that would have re-
NCSC President Jacob Clayman told the
stored the benefit. (Story, Page 8.)
delegates that older Americans must plan
strategies to defend the positive federal
AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland, ad-
programs that have helped them and to
dressing the. rally, stressed that the labor
deal with the effects that the coming bud-
movement is a "strong and unshakable"
get cuts are likely to have.
ally of older Americans. Kirkland scored
the Administration's attempts to "sacrifice
Clayman cited the importance of pro-
the retirement security of millions of
grams to combat hunger, subsidize hous-
Americans" to cut federal spending.
ing, pay medical and energy bills and
provide other social services. He warned
HE DECLARED that Americans "will
that the 20-year-old NCSC's 4,000 local
remember who voted to take away from
clubs and 4 million members must vigor-
American workers the protections they
ously resist the sharp reduction or outright
fought for, voted for and paid for."
elimination of these programs pressed by
Kirkland urged the demonstrators to
(Continued on Page 7)
AFL-CIO NEWS, WASHINGT
Reagan Slashes Assailed
10,000 Seniors Rally
To 'Save Our Security'
(Continued from Page 1)
icans posed by the Administration's bud-
the Administration as part of its planned
get cutbacks. The topics included threats
$40 billion cuts in domestic spending.
to income protection, health care and
Medicare, housing and high energy costs,
IN A KEYNOTE address to the con-
reductions in food stamps and social ser-
ference's general session, Kirkland urged
vices, and programs to create jobs for
the delegates to lobby to save social pro-
older workers and combat discrimination.
grams now and to look ahead to the 1982
AFL-CIO COPE Director Al Barkan
elections.
urged the delegates "to declare the 1982
"It is not too early," he said, "to begin
election campaign open now." The alli-
working to guarantee that our friends in
ance between labor and senior citizens is
Congress are not overwhelmed by a vi-
strong enough to work "all out for a veto
cious right-wing assault."
proof" Congress that will stop the Admin-
"Our opponents should be forced to run
istration's drive to reverse 50 years of
on their records," Kirkland declared, with-
social progress, Barkan declared.
out concealing the fact "that they voted to
OTHER LABOR speakers at the con-
destroy programs that have helped im-
ference included Operating Engineers
prove the lives of every American citizen."
President J. C. Turner and Machinists
He pointed out that members of Con-
President William W. Winpisinger.
gress did not get elected by campaigning
The 3,000 delegates approved a resolu-
for cuts in social security, yet many are
tion pledging to fight "attempts to reduce
now supporting the Administration's posi-
the federal government's continuing obliga-
tion that the system can only be saved by
tion to work for social justice in America"
slashing benefits.
and specifically condemned attempts to
The system's problems, he told the dele-
balance the federal budget by cutting back
gates, can be solved without cutting bene-
social security benefits and eligibility.
fits and without backward steps.
THE DELEGATES devoted the time
THE HEART OF the Administration's
before and after the social security rally
plan, Kirkland said, would cut early re-
to personal visits to representatives on
tirement and disability provisions, ignoring
Capitol Hlil. The meeting also included a
the fact "that fully two-thirds of all people
ceremony dedicating the NCSC's new
who retire before 65 do so, not because
headquarters. Rep. Claude Pepper (D-
they are malingerers, but because they are
Fla.), chairman of the House Select Com-
sick, their jobs have been destroyed, or
mittee on Aging, was a guest of honor at
the event.
they are subject to some form of compul-
sory retirement plan. The 80 percent of
Other speakers included Sen. Howard
full benefits paid to these workers is based,
M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio): Sen. John
not on overweaning generosity, but on the
Heinz (R-Pa.); Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-
cool calculations of actuarial tables and
Md.); Rep. Lindy Boggs (D-La.); Rep.
insurance principles."
Toby Moffett (D-Conn.); Coretta Scott
Kirkland stressed, too, that the Admin-
King, president of the Martin Luther King
istration should not be allowed "to drive
Foundation; Clarence M. Mitchell, presi-
a wedge between active workers and those
dent of the National Black Caucus of
who are receiving benefits." He pointed
State Legislators; Carol Greenwald, presi-
out that younger workers are willing to
dent of the National Consumer Coopera-
pay the costs of social security because
tive Bank; and Eleanor Smeal, president
they understand that cutting back the sys-
of the National Organization for Women.
I
tem will not only mean lower benefits for
themselves in the future, but also a greater
immediate burden in paying through other
sources for programs to aid the elderly.
He pointed out that the problems facing
the social security system can be realisti-
cally met through interfund borrowing,
partial financing from general revenues
and income tax credits.
Kirkland called on the delegates to
rally citizens in their home congressional
districts to pressure legislators to support
such measures.
Workshop sessions at the conference
focused on specific dangers to older Amer-
ACTWU Convention
Reagan Scored on Drive
To Cancel Worker Gains
Detroit-Clothing & Textile Workers
President Murray H. Finley denounced
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.)
the Reagan Administration's efforts "to
drew applause from the delegates as he
turn back 50 years of government that is
issued a challenge to the "New Right" and
concerned with the people."
pledged that he will run for re-election to
In his keynote address to some 3,000
the Senate and continue to fight repressive
delegates and alternates to ACTWU's
legislation designed to weaken the labor
second constitutional convention, Finley
movement's ability to protect the benefits
declared that "51 percent is not an over-
workers have gained over the years.
whelming mandate for anyone and
surely not a mandate to impeach former
ACKNOWLEDGING that he is "the
Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
number one target of the radical right and
Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and
the Moral Majority," he pledged to "fight
Lyndon Johnson" by destroying all they
back."
stood for and accomplished.
"And with your help and assistance,"
he said, "I intend to return to the United
FINLEY REMINDED the delegates
States Senate and continue to stand with
that the American people did not-as he
all of you in the fights for the future that
said the Reagan Administration would
we have yet to win."
have the nation believe-vote to cut so-
cial security benefits, do away with the
Blasting "those who came to power in
Trade Adjustment Assistance Act to help
Washington in 1980" as the "most anti-
workers left jobless by imports, cut unem-
labor administration and the most anti-
ployment compensation or cut the Occu-
worker Congress in half a century," Ken-
pational Safety & Health Act in the inter-
nedy pledged to do all he can in Congress
ests of balancing the budget.
to prevent any socially repressive measures
from ever reaching President Reagan's
He said that the labor movement does
desk.
not "seek a confrontation" with the Rea-
gan Administration, but it will be "in the
ACTWU SENIOR Executive Vice Pres-
forefront of the fight for the concern of
ident Sol Stetin castigated the Administra-
all the people of this country."
tion for its OSHA cutbacks that he said
AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland
will jeopardize the lives of millions of
stressed in an address to the delegates that
workers. He also scored Reagan's pro-
the American labor movement currently
posals for heavy reductions in social se-
has "two large jobs to defend social
curity benefits while leaving untouched
programs and do everything in our power
the tax write-offs "that put billions into
to see that our friends are returned to
the treasuries of the big oil companies
Capitol Hill." Kirkland piedged that "late
every year."
or soon, we shall prevail simply because we
President Sol C. Chaikin of the Ladies'
have not ever, we will never, we do not
Garment Workers told the convention
and will not quit."
that the number one problem on the
IN HIS SPEECH Kirkland outlined the
agenda for both ACTWU and the ILGWU
"has to be the evolution of a rational
attack by the Reagan Administration on
workers that is making "our country into
policy of fair trade. Our unions will not
a two-class society with great wealth on
be able to survive many years into the
one side, enjoying all the largess and bless-
future if every year, year after year, we
ings of government, and privation and in-
report to. our members that the amount
security and neglect on the other.
of imports of every type and description
in the softgoods industry has increased by
"Workers must see we are not fighting
leaps and bounds."
abstractions," Kirkland said. "It is their
hospitals that will close, their schools,
HE CALLED for a renewed effort to
their jobs, their families that will suffer.
tell labor's story to the people.
Our job is to bring these facts home to our
"We have failed," he said, "because as
fellow citizens."
we have moved we have failed to take
ACTWU Sec.-Treas. Jacob Sheinkman,
the story with us and to educate our
in his report to the convention, said that
friends and neighbors to the recent history
"the issue between us working men and
of the trade union movement. And while
women and the Reagan Administration
we fight this rearguard action that we will
was drawn clearly and honestly in the first
continue to fight as long as Reagan is in
economic. speech of the President. He
office, we have to think of our own agenda
made a ringing declaration
that the
going forward and getting this across."
taxing power of government must not be
The convention unanimously adopted a
used to regulate the economy and bring
resolution calling on the federal govern-
about social change."
ment to set up a federal task force to
TAKING SHARP issue with that posi-
investigate the unsolved murders of 30
tion, Sheinkman recalled that social se-
children and young adults in Atlanta and
curity, "one of the most profound social
offering full help and support to officials
and economic changes in American his-
and the people of Atlanta.
tory, was brought about by using the tax-
ing powers of government."
Deploring the Administration's moves
to cut social programs and to make OSHA
regulations-such as the cotton dust stan-
dard to conquer the hazard of brown lung
disease in textile mills-more "cost effi-
cient" for big business, Sheinkman de-
clared: "We reject any cost analysis which
places a dollar value on our lives and
any administration that says cost efficiency
is a factor in measuring the worth of our
lives.
We do not believe that the peo-
ple who are the worst off should be
squeezed the most."
file Soliderity
Day
OVERTURN REAGAN'S
PROGRAM:-CUTBACKS,
ACISM, SEXISM, & WAR!
CUT
STOP THE WAR AGAINST THE POOR!
EOPLE'S ANTI-WAR MORILIZATION
ID-AUSTIN
GREE
CA
NEED
ou
CARE
start
CARE
Poor PEOPLE
I
Reagan
I
CARE
JOBS
doesn't
about
Reagan
Refirees
doesn't
Re
Reagan
doesn't
AMA
CITY-WIDE CONFERENCE:
"FIGHTING THE REAGAN PROGRAM"
Panels, Speakers, Workshops
(for details see reverse)
AUGUST 15, 1981 10am-5pm
St. Stephen's Church 16 & Newton Sts. NW
9:30 Registration, Donation requested, childcare available-call in advance
Signing for hearing impaired
sponsored by PEOPLE'S ANTI-WAR MOBILIZATION
Wilson Center, 1470 Irving St., NW, Washington, D.C. (202) 462-1488
This leaflet designed & produced by Union members who donated their time & labor.
People all over the country are angry. They are fighting
back against Reagan's pro-big business, anti-people prog-
ram of racism, budget cuts and attacks on our standard of
living.
The D.C. Chapter of the People's Anti-War Mobilization is
orgnaizing this City-Wide Conference to bring together
activists and organizers, concerned women and men, to put
together a strategy to fight for the needs and interests
of people in the Washington Metropolitan area.
PAM is planning an All-Peoples Congress to take place in
Detroit, October 16-18. At this Congress we hope to bring
together people from all over the country to put forward
a program that genuinely speaks to OUR needs and OUR int-
erests. We will also be planning for a National Day of
Resistance with protests in major cities, to say NO to
Reagan's policies which can only lead to misery at home
and war abroad.
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Sahu Barron, Black Americans for Jus-
tice and Peace in El Salvador
PANELS:
Dwight Bowman, Pres. AFGE District
Council 1
Josephine Butler, D.C. Statehood Party
Lynda Clendenning, Pres. AFSCME Local
1072
CUTS IN SOCIAL SERVICES- food stamps,
D.C. Food Stamp Coalition
social security, programs for the dis-
Rene DuBose, People United Against
abled, healthcare and housing.
Government Repression, the Klan and
the Nazis
ATTACKS ON THE LABOR MOVEMENT- public
Rob Duncan, Committee to Defend NAASCO
employee unions, workers in social
Workers
service programs, health & safety.
Malik Edwards, Malcolm X Cultural
Education Center
SEXUAL OPPRESSION- reproductive rights,
Gay and Lesbian community spokespersons
equality in the workplace, the struggle
Eleanor Jackson, Gray Panthers
of lesbians and gay men, and a report
Luci Murphy, Centro de Arte
from the August 9 Women's Forum.
Palestine Congress on North America
People's Anti-War Mobilization
RACIST VIOLENCE- police brutality,
Police Crimes Task Force, D.C. Area
government repression.
Alliance Against Racist & Political
CULTURAL WORK IN OUR MOVEMENT- educa-
Repression
Rap Inc.
tion, news & broadcast media, music
Reproductive Rights National Network
and art.
Rosemont Center Workers Association
Loretta Ross, Yolanda Ward Memorial
U.S. BUILD-UP TOWARDS WAR- from the
Fund
draft to Central America, South Africa,
David Sawyer, Folkworks
Palestine and Ireland,
1734 Art Collective
William Simons, Pres. Washington
Teachers Union
Larry Weston, Black Independent Polit-
CITY-WIDE CONFERENCE
ical Party, Housing Department
AUGUST 15, 1981
Marcia Williams, Maryland Alliance of
10 am to 5 pm
ST. STEPHEN CHURCH
Advocates with the Handicapped
16th & NEWTON STS. N.W.
Ivy Young, WHUR; poet
SOLIDARITY
American Federation of Labor and
AF:00
Congress of Industrial Organizations
DAV
815 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington DC 20005
(202)637-5380
(A)
SEPTEMBER19:19:1981
July 30, 1981
President
Lane Kirkland
FACT SHEET ON SOLIDARITY DAY
Secretary-Treasurer
Thomas R Donahue
WHY:
Vice Presidents
To demonstrate the widespread opposition to the Adminis-
John H Lyons
tration's assault on vital social programs and to promote jobs,
Peter Bommanto
Thomas W Gleason
justice and equality. The focus will be on the following areas
Frederick o Neal
Jerry Wurf
of concern (in alphabetical order): Civil Rights, Education,
S Frank Raftery
Energy, Environment, Fair Trade, Fair Taxes, Health and
AIH Chesser
Martin J Ward
Safety, Housing, Jobs, Justice, Lower Interest Rates, Social
Murray H Finley
Albert Shanker
Security, Voting Rights and Women's Rights.
Glenn E Watts
Sol C Chaikin
WHO:
Edward T Hanley
Invitations from AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland have gone
Angelo Fosco
to all trade unions including those not currently affiliated with
Charles H Pillard
William H McClennan
the Federation, as well as to organizations affiliated with the
JC Turner
Lloyd Bride
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the Budget
David J Fitzmaurice
Coalition. In addition to endorsements from all international
Kenneth T Blaylock
Emmet Andrews
unions, Solidarity Day has already been endorsed by over 100
Alvin E Heaps
Wm W Winpisinger
national organizations representing: Blacks, Hispanics, Asian-
William H Wynn
Americans, women, religious, handicapped, consumers,
Fred J Kroll
John J. o Donnell
environmentalists, the aged and various professionals.
John DeConcini
Wayne E Glenn
Planning is being carried forward by an Advisory Board repre-
Robert F Goss
sentative of these groups.
Daniel V Maroney
William Konyha
Joyce D Miller
John J Sweeney
WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 1981. A one-day demonstration in
Washington, D.C. from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
WHERE: Marchers will assemble on the West slope of the Washington
Monument for entertainment, picnics and introductions of
celebrities and VIPs. This will be followed by a march and a
program of addresses by nationally-known leaders and
prominent entertainers.
HOW:
Each participating organization is asked to name one person as
coordinator. Coordinators have also been named to provide
information regarding transportation for unions and non-labor
groups in major cities and states. Recruiting, transportation
and logistics are being handled by the participating organi-
zations. The Solidarity Day office, at 815 16th Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006 ((202)637-5380) can provide the names
of the coordinators.
For additional information on Solidarity Day call:
(202)637-5380.
ACentury of. Achievement
Challenge for the Future
Lane Kirkland
July 21, 1981
Thomas Donahue
file
President
Secretary-Treasuret
Solidarity
SOLIDARITY DAY - ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Day.
Arnold Aronson
Monsignor Francis J. Lally
Leadership Conf. on Civil Rights
U. S. Catholic Conference
667-1780
Off. of Domestic Social Development
659-6820
Tony Bonilla, President
League of United Latin Amer. Cit.
Rev. Joseph Lowery
(512) 882-8284
S.C.L.C.
(404) 522-1420
Kenyon Burke, Assoc. Gen. Sec.
Natl. Council of Churches -
Lloyd McBride, President
Div. of Church & Society
U.S.A.
(212) 870-2511
(412) 562-2300
Jacob Clayman, President
Joyce Miller, President
Natl. Council of Sr. Citizens
C.L.U.W.
347-8800
(212) 242-0700
Sam Church, President
Charles Pillard, President
United Mineworkers
I.B.E.W.
638-0530
833-7110
Murray Finley, President
Reese Robrahn, Exec. Dir.
A.C.T.W.U.
Amer. Coal. of Cit. w/Disabilities
(212) 242-0700
785-4265
Douglas Fraser, President
Bayard Rustin, Chrmn. of the Board
United Auto Workers
A.P.R.I.
(313) 926-5201
(212) 533-8000
Dorothy Height, President
Chuck Senci, Director
Nat'l Council of Negro Women
Concerned Srs. for Better Gov't.
(212) 687-5870
466-6140
Benjamin L. Hooks, Exec. Dir.
Albert Shanker, President
N.A.A.C.P.
American Federation of Teachers
(212) 245-2100
797-4440
Reverend Jesse Jackson
Donald Slaiman
P.U.S.H.
Jewish Labor Committee
(312) 373-3366
637-5282
Vernon Jordan, President
Eleanor Smeal, President
National Urban League
N.O.W.
(212) 644-6500
347-3279
Coretta King, Co-Chair
Jessica Smith
Full Employ. Action Council
Frontlash
546-5626
783-3993
Henry Lacayo, Chairman
Sharon Stark, President
Labor Counc. for Latin Amer. Advance.
Consumer Fed. of America
347-4223
(608) 231-4087
William Wynn, President
Douglas Tuthill, Natl. Chrprsn.
U.F.C.W.
U. S. Student Association
223-3111
667-6000
Gaylord Nelson, Chairman
The Wilderness Society
828-6600
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 9, 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR ELIZABETH H. DOLE
VIA:
FM:
Red Cavaney/Jack by Burgess
Bob Bonitati
RE:
Solidarity Day
I am attaching a fact sheet on Solidarity Day scheduled for September 19
in Washington.
From my contacts with the AFL-CIO and various unions, it is clear
that a major organizational effort is being expended to draw huge
throngs to Washington for this event. To many in the labor movement
Solidarity Day has now become a symbolic "show of strength" for the
U.S. labor movement. Even for those union leaders who think the concept
of Solidarity Day is a bad one, many are now convinced that the labor
movement's prestige is on the line.
While the AFL-CIO publicly contends that they hope to have 100,000
people here, their unannounced goal is to bring 500,000 people to
Washington that day. Unfortunately the news media seems to focus
on the 100,000 figure.
In addition to the above, I would also offer the following comments:
1. While Solidarity Day is talked about by the media as a
labor event, the purpose of the march has been broadened
to include every interest group who opposes some facet
of Administration policy. Solidarity Day is no longer
just a labor event.
2. There are now some 250 groups and organizations (including
about 100 unions) who are sponsors of Solidarity Day.
These include organizations representing environmentalists,
nuclear views, civil rights, handicapped, consumer, senior
citizens and women. Solidarity Day has become a Sestival
of protesters!
3. The original purpose of Solidarity Day was to show that
rank and file union members agreed with their union leaders
in protesting the Administration's èconomic plan. (This
was in response to White House comments that union leaders
were "out of step with their members".) The purpose of
Solidarity Day has been broadened to include the following
areas of concern: civil rights, education, energy, environ-
ment, fair trade, fair taxes, health and safety, housing,
jobs, justice, lower interest rates, Social Security,
voting rights and women's rights.
4. There appears to be a major effort being launched by the
public employees unions in the Washington, Virginia and
D.C. area (federal, state and local) to generate partici-
pation in Solidarity Day. Their theme is "budget cuts mean
your job may be lost."
Based on the information I have been able to gather on the organi-
zational and promotional activities being conducted by this coalition
of groups, there is a potential for 250,000 to 350,000 people being
in Washington for September 19.
COLLEGE
file
SOLIDARITY
DAY
REPUBLICANS
PAGE 3
RE: Research on left-wing rallies, and the groups sponsoring them.
In researching the SOLIDARITY DAY rally, i learned of a set of organized
protests that will be taking place in the next week. I called a group
known as the National Association of Grey Panthers (202/ 347-6471), inq-
uiring about the September rally. The receptionist told me that the
Grey Panthers were an organization dedicated to " jobs, justice and human
needs." Mr. Davis is the person in charge of the Solidarity Day rally
for the Grey Panthers, but 1 was unable to speak to him. I spoke instead
with Pat Weiss, who informed me about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day
rallies. She transferred me to someone known as "John" who gave me the
following timetable:
August 5
6:00-8:00 PM
Non-denominational demonstration and
prayer meeting at LaFayette Square.
(organized by the Unitarian Universalist
Association)
August 6
unkown
Pentagon Rally. Organized by the Jonah
House (description of this group can be
found later in the report)
Leaflets will be distributed (all day)
by the Washington Peace Center.
August 6
6:00 PM
A "Geurilla War Theatre Companv" Dre-
sentation of the play. Nuclear Arms and
Weapons On Trial. This will take place
at the Lincoln Memorial.
August 6
7:15 PM
A "quiet protest" at the International
Inn, where the National Association of
Aeronautics and Astronautics will be hold-
ing their annual convention. (The Ass'n
is viewed as militaristic by the Grey
Panthers). A movie based on Oppenheimer's
life, entitled "Day After Trinity", will
be shown on the wall of the hotel (this
plan is tentative: the film may be shown
at another location).
August 8
morning
"Creative Actions". (This probably means
that nothing has been confirmed at this
time).
August 8
8:00 PM
Vigil at LaFayette Square. This will last
until midnight, and will include a minute
of silence at 10:02 PM.
August 8
Midnight
A group known as THE NEW JEWISH AGENDA will
hold an all-night vigil at LaFayette Square,
to commemerate the victims of Nagasaki (as
well as the destruction of the Temple in
Jerusalem thousands of years ago).
August 9
morning
Religious services.
August 9
noon
"Information on the fight for human rights
and human needs" (a teach-in, which could
take the form of a rally)
August 9
1:00 PM
Commemeration Ceremony
August 9
5:00 PM
A repeat performance of Nuclear Arms and Weapons
On Trial, with full audience participation. Part-
icipants will then march to the reflecting pool.
August 9
6:00 PM
Ecumenical service at the reflecting pool.
August 9
all day
posters and leaflets will be distributed at Metro
stations, and at the airports.
August 9
7:30 PM
"A Presentation on Atomic Power and Arsenals"
Louise Franklin Romerez, an anti-nuclear activist,
will speak. She will also present a slide show
titled, "Birth of the Bomb."
The above schedule was compiled from telephone conversations. The official
schedule is being sent to me, under an assumed name, at my local address. I
am aware that there will also be two films (Hiroshima, Nagasaki; 1945, a State
Department film; and Niks Masuko, a film about a survivor of the attack on
Hiroshima) and two seminars ("Non-violence"; and "The International Political
Aspects of the Hiroshima Bombing") scheduled for August 9. I am not, however,
aware of the time or location for either planned event.
I was told by the Grey Panthers to contact the Jonah House, and the Unitarian
Universalist Association. The Jonah House is a so-called religious house for
a sect of Christians who are "strong egalitarians; supportive of alternative
styles of living; alligned with the Barrigans; opposed to the United States
arming itself; and supportive of liberation movements." In speaking to a
resident of the Jonah House, i was not able to learn much more about the group
than the above description from the Grey Panthers. The Jonah House is located
on the second floor of St. Stephans and the Incantation Church (202/ 265-0144;
265-0146). Vetran Cooper, the individual who answered the phone, indicated that
there were a few groups housed in the "church". The person i spoke to at the
Jonah House declined to give me his name. He said the House was in "summer
session" and that there were only 14 people living there at the present. This
was the rationale he used in explaining to me that they are as of yet unsure as
to what activities they will be planning for this rally. They were invited to
attend by the Grey Panthers, according to the individual i spoke with. He sug-
gested i contact the Washington Peace Center (Joe Miller, Director; 234-2000).
I was unable to reach them. (incidentally, the Jonah House people are the ones
who have been holding a vigil outside the Pentagon for the last year).
I was able to identify Bob Alpern as the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days coordinator
at the Unitarian Universalist Association (202/ 547-0254), but i was unable to
speak to him personally. An information packet is in the mail to me, under an
assumed name, which should arrive by August 6.
The following information was written in a pamphlet circulated by the DuPont
Circle Metro station on August 4:
There will be a left-wing rally on August 15th sponsored by the DC Chapter
of the People's Anti-War Mobilization (202/462-1488). The theme will be "Fighting
the Reagan Program", and will include speakers and seminars. I called the group,
but was only able to reach the answering service. The leaflet, which i am
hoping to obtain personally before the submission of this preliminary report,
also announces two other events. One is a National Day of Resistence, and the
other event is an All People's Congress. The former is to be a day when protests
will take place, simultaneously, in major cities throughout the country. No
date was listed for the Day. The purpose of the day was listed: "to say no
to Reagan's policies that can only lead to misery at home and war abroad."
The latter event, an All-People's Congress, is scheduled for October 16-18
in Detroit. Since i was only alerted about the existence of this leaflet
while writing this report, further information on the rally will have to
be contained in the next update.
SOLIDARITY DAY
As you are aware, Solidarity Day was to be the only purpose for this report.
Information on the other activities 1 only came accross while investigating
the nature of the fall rally. In comparison to the aforementioned activities,
Solidarity Day appears to be a relatively tame undertaking by the AFL-CIO.
The main purpose of the Day is to celebrate the centennial of the AFL-CIO, and
to protest the economic policies of President Reagan. The organizers are
anticipating a large turn-out, although no figure has yet been quoted to me.
The expectation is that the vast majority of those in Washington for the
Day will be coming from the East Coast. National representation is not
expected.
The starting point for my research was a letter sent to the Executive Director
of the College Democrats (see the attached xerox). In contacting the groups
listed as co-sponsors for the Day, 1 used many different aliases. I claimed
to represent anti-nuclear groups, groups concerned with American aid to El
Salvador, the American University College Democrats and the Tufts University
C.A.R.D. (Committee Against Registration and the Draft). In all cases, the
groups 1 contacted seemed unimpressed by the radical credentials i was pres-
enting (with a few notable exceptions who are listed later in this report).
I claimed to be a college student from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Boston and Washington. In almost all cases 1 was told to contact the local
AFL-CIO chapter for information on transportation. It would appear that most
of the groups listed as co-sponsors will be sending people to the rally, and
participating in meetings with other co-sponsoring groups, but will not be
actively involved in the planning of the rally itself. A few of the groups
denied knowledge of the rally, and many were unwilling to discuss it with me.
The list of co-sponsors is comprised of those groups, from the list of 200
groups that comprise The Coalition Against The Budget, that responded affir-
matively to an invitation to lend their name in support of the AFL-CIO endevor.
Consequently, many of the groups are seemingly unaware of the plans for the Day.
GROUPS CONTACTED:
ACORN
462-4200
Sounded very enthusiastic about the rally. Appear
to be a radical group. Did not seem well informed
about the Day. Told me to contact the SEIU District
Council 1199 for information on transportation from
Boston. They indicated that transportation would be
taken care of at the local level. I was told that
no transportation would be available from the West
Coast ("try super-saver flights.")
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, INC.
965-9313
(listed on the attached sheet as simply a church)
Denied knowledge of the rally. Did not seem to
believe their name was being used for the rally. I
could not get further than the receptionist.
AMERICAN COALITION OF CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES
1200 15th St. NW
785-4265
spoke of a Disabled Americans Freedom Rally. In terms of Solidarity Day,
one person went to an early planning meeting that was called by the AFL-
CIO. They had no information at the time, and will be returning my phone
call.
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
1200 17th NW
833-7600
I spoke with Candy Warren, the APA Convention Coordinator. She was not
aware that the APA was co-sponsoring the Day. She claimed that the APA
had been informed about it, but had nothing to do with it. She referred
me to the AFL-CIO at 637-5000 (which is their main number, but not
the number to call for information on Solidarity Day)
AFL-CIO
Solidarity Day Office
637-5380
I was given a tentative schedule for the day, and was promised a Solidarity
Day Information packet ( which has yet to arrive). The schedule is:
September 19th- 10:00 AM
Participants assemble on The Mall.
Noon
Participants will march down Constitution
Avenue to the Capitol. On the West-front
area there will be speeches (including
one by Lane Kirkland) and entertainment.
All American trade unions (not just the AFL-
CIO) will be present. The rally will end at
5:00 PM.
CITIZENS FOR TAX JUSTICE
293-5340
This group is a coalition of other organizations (such as Labor groups,
the NAACP, the Council of Senior Citizens, and the League of Women Voters)
who work mainly at the local level. For example, this group worked in
Massachusetts against Proposition 2 (a tax cutting referendum). I was
advised to contact the AFL-CIO at 637-5380 for information on the rally.
FRONTLASH
815 16th St. NW, room 203
783-3993
Frontlash is the group that contacted the College Democrats about Solidarity
Day. They claim to be the "youth division for labor." Their involvement in
the organizing process is to mobilize students for the rally. They did not
seem impressed with my stated (but not actual) involvement with C.A.R.D. and
other radical groups. While agreeing with the liberal viewpoints i espouced,
they stressed that Solidarity Day was a rally in support of labor, and in opp-
osition to the President's DOMESTIC economic policies. They indicated i could
bring my own (anti-draft) placards, but that the Day would be for labor.
AMERICAN VETERANS COMMITTEE (National Office)
1346 Conn. NW
293-4890
This group was established after World War II, with the motto "Citizens
First, Veterans Second." They are against Vetrans preferences. I was told
to contact Dick Wilson, the Transportation Coordinator for Solidarity Day,
for information on rides from the Northeast. Information on the AVC is in
the mail to me.
AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION
638-2545
Was told that the rally would be "really big". Was also told that there would
be transportation available from Boston and New York. Was told that plackards
could be brought along for any cause. For more information i was told to contact
Charlie King, the ADA Youth Caucus Coordinator (638-6447). See attached xerox.
COALITION OF LABOR UNION WOMEN
638-3365
Answered the phone, "Health and Safety Project". CLU is part of this group,
which researches issues pertinent to women in the work force. Women in all
unions are members of CLU (not just AFL-CIO women). Joyce Miller is the President
of CLU. I spoke with a coordinator for the group who referred me to Ellen
Gruzinsky at their New York office (800/ 221-1930). The New York CLU phone
was answered "Clothing and Textile". CLU, according to its Solidarity Day
Coordinator (Gruzinsky), will be marching at the AFL-CIO rally. Most CLU
members will probably be marching with their own union local. According to
Gruzinsky, the unions will provide their own transportation to the rally.
She indicated that certain unions may be able to transport people to the rally.
The Machinests Union, for example, will have empty seats in their bus. These
seats will probably be filled by college students.
CONFERENCE ON ECONOMIC PROGRESS
363-6222
An old lady answered the phone. She told me that the Conference is a "technical
economic research organization" that does not take political stands. She could
not refer me to anyone else in the office to speak to about Solidarity Day. She
indicated that it was possible that the Conference was sponsoring it, but seemed
skeptical. She claims to have never heard of the Day.
CONSUMER ENERGY COUNCIL OF AMERICA
659-0404
I was told that the Council was not sponsoring the rally, and had no idea who
was.
CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA
387-6121
I was told that the rally was against the budget cuts, and against "everything".
The latter point was not clarified in the discussion. I was told to contact
Mitch Edelstein, who is the Solidarity Day Coordinator for the ADA.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS FOR FULL EMPLOYMENT
347-5590
They will be trying to coordinate environmentalist participation in the rally.
They will be providing a bus from New York.
FOOD RESEARCH ACTION COUNCIL (FRAC)
452-8250
This group denied sponsorship, but indicated a knowledge of the Day. This
appears to be another group that has lent its name, but not active support, to
the Day. I was directed to Marvin Kaplan at the AFL-CIO Solidarity Day Office.
JEWISH LABOR COMMITTEE
783-6795
The phone was answered "Pat Porter's office". Porter claims to be directing a
grass roots organization that is trying to produce a good turn out, but that
is not directly involved in the planning of the Day. The organization was
described by Porter as a "bridging organization between the Jewish community
and labor. It was originally started in the 1930's, as an organization
dedicated to getting Jews out of Germany. Now the groups main concern
is preserving human rights.
THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE COUNCIL
842-8600
Claimed no knowledge of Solidarity Day. When called back, the story was
different. Leonard Bonn told me that the Council was not sponsoring a
rally, but that someone in the office might be. I then spoke with Moisef
Losa, who told me that the AFL-CIO "brought together a coalition of people
who are watching the budget rather closely." The Housing Assistance Council,
according to Losa, is not endorsing Solidarity Day, but is supporting it. Their
concern is world housing, but Losa has been observing the planning sessions for
the Day.
THE LABOR COUNCIL FOR LATIN AMERICAN ADVANCEMENT
347-4223
A non-Latin answered the phone. When i inquired about the Day, the receptionist
immediately gave me the number of the AFL-CIO and hung up on me.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
296-1770
The League is "not exactly sponsoring it (they are) just on the bandwagon".
A representitive from the Legislative Office will call me back with additional
information.
NEW DEMOCRATIC COALITION
547-8417
An organization opposed to the draft, nuclear power and various other issues. I
was told to contact Steve Beede, the AFL-CIO organizer on campuses.
LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS
628-0717
Arnold Torrez is the Solidarity Day Coordinator for LULAC.
NAACP
638-2269
Was told that the purpose of the rally was not so much to protest the President's
economic policies, as to demonstrate solidarity: to show that there are "still
some groups concerned with the big changes in the Government." For information
on transportation from Boston, i was told to contact Margerie Perry (617/ 925-9388
in Roxbury, MA) of the Boston NAACP.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, INC.
337-7530
2233 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
Jane Bennett is the Council's coordinator
for Solidarity Day.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, INC.
293-3902
1819 H St. NW
Appears to be the least organized of the groups
that i spoke with. They have no information on
the Day.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GREY PANTHERS
347-6471
A young man answered the phone. Mr. Davis is the coordinator for the event.
I spoke with Pat Weiss, another young man working at this organization that
allegedly works to defend the rights of the aged. (refer to the first section
of this report for additional information on the Panthers).
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SENIOR CITIZENS
347-8800
1511 K St NW
This is the group that organized the July 21st
protest against cuts in the Social Security pro-
gram. I spoke with Karen Gilgolf, who indicated
that she was working to produce a "good turnout."
Judy Gingard is working with her on this project.
Gilgolf was not aware of certain details about
the rally. I doubt she is helping to plan the
event herself.
NATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ASSOCIATION, INC.
783-1560
425 13th ST NW
They are receiving memos from the AFL-CIO, but have
only been asked to bring people to the event- not help
organize it. Scott Swirling is coordinator for this group
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
212/870-2791
Kenyan Burke is the head of the Planning Committee for the rally at the Council.
NATIONAL PEURTO RICAN FORUM
638-2211
I was told to call Peggy Taylor (Coordinator for the Budget Briefings) at the
AFL-CIO Solidarity Day Office
(637-5064)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
833-9280
1625 I ST NW
Dan Hawkins is this group's coordinator for the Day.
He reported that there would be a good turnout- largely
from the East coast. Mostly trade unionists are expected.
NATIONAL CAUCUS-THE CENTER ON BLACK AGED, INC.
637-8400
1424 K ST NW
They made the distinction between sponsoring the event
(which they claim not to be doing), and being part of a
coalition that will be participating in it. I was advised
to contact John Perkins, the AFL-CIO coordinator for Solidarity
Day (that so many different names are given as AFL-CIO coordinators
indicates perhaps that there are a number of people. each working
with different groups in the coalition. Alternately. it could
just be indicative of a lack of good communication between the
AFL-CIO and the coalition groups). The AFL-CIO is coordinating
the Day, according to the Caucus, and this group is just
working to turn their own members out for the Day.
THE NATIONAL CONSUMERS LEAGUE
797-7600
1522 K ST NW
"We're not sponsoring it; we're not organizing it."
THE NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING COALITION
775-0046
"oh boy, you got the wrong bunch of people."
This group received a few letters
from the AFL-CIO, and that is the extent of their involvement. I was told to
contact the AFL-CIO Solidarity Day Coalition Groups Coordinators (Marvin Caplan-
637-5380; Arnold Aronson- 667-1780).
THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE
393-4332
Nobody at the Urban League is working on the event. People from the office, however,
will be marching at the rally.
The following groups have yet to be contacted:
Rural Coalition; Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee (listed at Social Dem-
ocrats USA on the attached xerox); Union of American Hebrew Congregations; United
Methodist Church- Board of Church and Society; United Mine Workers of America;
US Students Association; Voter Education Project, Inc.; United Presbyterian Church in
the USA.
The following groups are not located in Washington, and will be contacted as soon
as their location is identified:
A. Philip Randolph Institute; Arizona Welfare Right Coalition; Congress of Italian-
American Organizations, Inc.; Full Employment Action Council; Health Security Action
Council; Long Island Coalition on Human Services; National Anti-Hunger Coalition;
National Organization of Legal Services Workers; New Jersey Coalition To Fight Cut-
Backs; Pennsylvania Fair-pension Budget Coalition; Project on Food Assistance and Poverty
A more comprehensive report should be ready within the week.
August 4, 1981
FRONTLASH
815 - 16th Street, N.W., Room 203
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 783-3993
July 17, 1981
John Slade, Executive Director
College Democrats of America
1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Dear Mr. Slade,
The AFL-CIO and its allies are organizing a major
demonstration to be held in Washington, D.C. on
September 19. On Solidarity Day hundreds of thousands
of citizens will show the administration that the
President's election victory was not a mandate to
destroy vital social programs. Frontlash, an organization
dedicated to involving young people in politics,
needs your aid to bring large numbers of young
people to the capital to paritcipate in this important
rally.
As you know, many programs created to help young
people have been severely cut by Congress. The fact
that America's youth do not vote in large numbers made
these programs easy targets. A strong showing at the
Solidarity Day rally will force elected officials to
realize that this important part of our society will
not remain silent as it is victimized.
Frontlash is seeking support for Solidarity Day from
numerous organizations concerned with student and young
related issues. On August 10 at 1:00, a meeting of
representatives from these groups will be held at the
Frontlash office. At that gathering a joint strategy
for encouraging young people to come to Washington will
be discussed. Your participation would be tremendously
appreciated. Please contact Frontlash if you decide
to join us.
In Solidarity,
Dessin Such
Jessica Smith
Executive Director
JS/das
National Non-Labor Organizations that have Endorsed Solidarity Day
ACORN
African Methodist Episcopal Church
American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, Inc.
American Psychological Association
American Veterans Committee
Americans for Democratic Action
A. Philip Randoiph Institute
Arizona Welfare Right Coalition
Citizens for Tax Justice
Coalition of Labor Union Women
Conference on Economic Progress
Congress of Italian-American Organizations, Inc.
Consumer Energy Council of America
Consumer Federation of America
Environmentalists for Full Employment
Food Research Action Council (FRAC)
Frontlash
Full Employment Action Council
Health Seurity Action Council
Housing Assistance Copuncil
Jewish Labor Committee
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
League of Women Voters of the United States
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Long Island Coalition on Human Services
National Anti-Hunger Coalition
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Association of Community Health Centers
National Association of Grey Panthers
National Center on the Black Aged
National Consumers League
National Council of Churches - Division of Church & Society
National Council of Community Mental Health Centers
National Council of Negro Women
National Council of Senior Citizens, Inc.
National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association
National Organization of Legal Services Workers
National Puerto Rican Forum
National Rural Housing Coalition
National Urban League
New Democratic Coalition
New Jersey Coalition to Fight Cut-Backs
Pennsylvania Fair-Pension Budget Coalition
Project on Food Assistance and Poverty
Rural Coalition
Social Democrats USA
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Unitarian Universalist Association
United Methodist Church - Board of Church and Society
United Mine Workers of America
U.S. Students Association
Voter Education Project, Inc.
Washington Office, United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
People all over the country are angry. They are fighting
back against Reagan's pro-big business, anti-people prog-
ram of racism, budget cuts and attacks on our standard of
living.
The D.C. Chapter of the People's Anti-War Mobilization is
orgnaizing this City-Wide Conference to bring together
activists and organizers, concerned women and men, to put
together a strategy to fight for the needs and interests
of people in the Washington Metropolitan area.
PAM is planning an All-Peoples Congress to take place in
Detroit, October 16-18. Ac this Congress we hope to bring
together people from all over the country to put forward
a program that genuinely speaks to OUR needs and OUR int-
erests. We will also be planning for a National Day of
Resistance with protests in major cities, to say NO to
Reagan's policies which can only lead to misery at home
and war abroad.
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Sahu Barron, Black Americans for Jus-
tice and Peace in El Salvador
PANELS:
Dwight Bowman, Pres. AFGE District
Council 1
Josephine Butler, D.C. Statehood Party
Lynda Clendenning, Pres. AFSCME Local
1072
CUTS IN SOCIAL SERVICES- food stamps,
D.C. Food Stamp Coalition
social security, programs for the dis-
Rene DuBose, People United Against
abled, healthcare and housing.
Government Repression, the Klan and
the Nazis
ATTACKS ON THE LABOR MOVEMENT- public
Rob Duncan, Committee to Defend NAASCO
employee unions, workers in social
Workers
service programs, health & safety.
Malik Edwards, Malcolm X Cultural
Education Center
SEXUAL OPPRESSION- reproductive rights
Gay and Lesbian community spokespersons
equality in the workplace, the struggl
Eleanor Jackson, Gray Panthers
of lesbians and gay men, and a report
Luci Murphy, Centro de Arte
from the August 9 Women's Forum.
Palestine Congress on North America
People's Anti-War Mobilization
RACIST VIOLENCE- police brutality,
Police Crimes Task Force, D.C. Area
government repression.
Alliance Against Racist & Political
Repression
CULTURAL WORK IN OUR MOVEMENT- educa-
Rap Inc.
tion, news & broadcast media, music
Reproductive Rights National Network
and art.
Rosemont Center Workers Association
Loretta Ross, Yolanda Ward Memorial
U.S. BUILD-UP TOWARDS WAR- from the
Fund
draft to Central America, South Africa
David Sawyer, Folkworks
Palestine and Ireland
1734 Art Collective
William Simons, Pres. Washington
Teachers Union
Larry Weston, Black Independent Polit-
CITY-WIDE CONFERENCE
ical Party, Housing Department
AUGUST 15, 1981
Marcia Williams, Maryland Alliance of
10 am to 5 pm
ST. STEPHEN CHURCH
Advocates with the Handicapped
16th & NEWTON STS. N.W.
Ivy Young, WHUR; poet
"Keeping alive Hiroshima's death may help keep us alive" (Robert J Lifton)
HIROSHIMA/NAGASAKI 1981
PARASAKI
LB.
H
N
AUG
WASHINGTON D.C., AUGUST 5-9
LINCOLN
Persuasive Activities August 5-9
Lealleting, Lobbying, Vigiting, Fasting.
Pentagon, White House, State Dept, Capitol,
LINCOLN MEMORIAL PLAZA
Dept of HHS,
AUGUST 9, SUNDAY, NOON-9PM
July 31- August 9 ON-GOING PRESENCE AT A LOCATION TO BE DETERMINED BY GROUP,
CONTACT JOHN C/O JONAH HOUSE, BALTIMORE MD 21217 301 669 6265
August 5-6 WHITE HOUSE VIGIL AUG 5. UPM- (HIROSHIMA BOMBING 7:15PM, AUGUST 5)
National Observance Program and
August 7
DAY LONG LOBBYING AT THE STATE DEPT & HHS;OTHER FEDERAL BI.DOS
Information Fair for -
CONTACT GRAY PANTHERS 202 347 9541 9-12 AM; 536 6380 7-9PM
Human Rights and Human Needs
FRIDAY! EVENING GATHERING At DALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1459 COLUMBIA no BPM FILMS WORKSHOPS
1
HAGASAKI BOMBING
)
Exhibits From Human Needs, Human Rights,
August 8
VIGIL AT THE WHITE HOUSE, SUNDOWN- MIDNIGHT
10:02 PM, AUGUSTS
Jobs With Peace, De-Nuclearization, Religious,
ARRANGED, CREATIVE VISITS TO DC AREA CHUNCHES.
Ecological and many more groups.
HIROSHIMA / NAGASAKI 1981 NATIONAL OBSERVANCE
Washington C August 5-9
MY GROUP WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR THE NATIONAL H/N '81 OBSERVANCE.
I/MY GROUP WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INFORMATION FAIR FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS & HUMAN. NEEDS. ENOLOSED IS S-
The H/N Ad Hoc Committee needs your endorsement, sponsorship and energy to build the Hiroshima/Nagasaki 1981
National Observance. Your creative participation is essential_to the_success of this, the_success_of_this, the first, National H/N Observance.
The costs of the National Observance Observance_can_only be, met with your financial support. The National H/N '81 Observance
will provide.us opportunity to relate human rights & human needs issues to the destruction of Hiroshima & Nagasaki and
system of nuclear mega-death used to maintain a global balance of terror, Your communication will be promptly
H/N '81 Ad Hoc Committee. PO 40602 D.C_20016
August 7-9
SYNAGOOUES AND TEMPLES. CONTACT
BT STEPHENS AND THE INCARNATION (202) AND
LUTHER PLACE MEMORIAL 202 667 1377 CHUNCHES
Open Microphone
August 9
PEOPLES H/N OBSERVANCE & INFORMATION FAIR
MAGGIE KUHN
Natural Foods
noon-9PM
LINCOLN MEMORIAL PLAZA
cafeteria & fast food, Marvin center, first floor & ground,
Plenic Family Style (traveling) musicians
800 &H St NW 7AM-3PM M-F
Creative, Participatory Theater,
Observe H/N Days;
(Nuclear War and Weapons On Trial)
Radiation Victims Witness
at home, away, or' D.C!
Ecumenical Spiritual Gathering
7PM
Come Prepared -
Japanese Music, Poetry
Make Appointments Eatly (public officials, churches).
Memorial Candle-Lantern Float
Bring Sleeping bag, Clothes, Food, Notebook) Rain/Sun Gear,
To plan and carry out this first National Hiroshima/Negasaki Observance
ENCLOSED IS
Costumes, Props Signs, Tables, Literature Emergency Funds,
we need your statement of support and a contribution. This provides
opportunity to speak for your group at the open microphone on the
& Instruments,
program. State preference for speaking time, otherwise postmark
Weekly Meetings Thursdays, 6PM. Luther Place Memorial Church,
Be Creative
determines position. Confirmation of receipt provided.
thru July.
(OUR SPONSOR LIST FORMING)
Name
Organization
Address
acknowledged.
the
Pass on, Post. BEFOR, recycle
labor donated
CONTACT H/N AD HOC COMMITTEE P.O. 40602 D.C. 20016 (703)-536-8380
OVERTURK REAGAN'S
STOP THE WAR AGAINST THE POOR!
GREE
NEE
CARE
CARE
Refires:
Reagan
doesn't
CITY-WIDE CONFERENCE:
"FIGHTING THE REAGAN PROGRAM"
Panels, Speakers, Workshops
(for details see reverse)
AUGUST 15, 1981 10am-5pm
St. Stephen's Church 16 & Newton Sts. NW
9:30 Registration, Donation requested, childcare available-call in advance
Signing for hearing impaired
sponsored by PEOPLE'S ANTI-WAR MOBILIZATION
Wilson Center, 1470 Irving St., NW, Washington, D.C. (202) 462-1488
This leaflet designed & produced by Union members who donated their time & labor.
run
THE
CONTRACTING-OUT; LAYOFFS;
RIFS; BUDGET CUTS:
RETIREMENT CUTS;
AMERICAN PEDERATION
AFGE
PAY CAPS; SEXUAL
HARASSMENT; UNSAFE
WORKING CONDITIONS
ADVOCATE
NOW
AFL-CIO
M
SOLIDARITY
DAY
SEPTEMBER 19, 1981
All A.F.G.E. members, their family and friends will assemble at the
Western Plaza across the street from the District Building (Penna. Ave., betw.
13th & I4th Sts., N.W.) between 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 19.
Federal Triangle (Blue Line) and Metro Center (Red Line) subway stops are just
two blocks away. Nearly all Metro Buses go past the Western Plaza. AFGE hats,
Solidarity Day T-Shirts, etc. will be available from COFEPE at this time. We
will assemble behind our banner to receive instructions concerning the march
and hear words of Solidarity from national leaders then join tens of thousands
of our AFL-CIO Sisters and Brothers at the Washington Monument just blocks away.
Every AFGE member bring your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and a
lunch bag. Everyone will be there. ALL OUT FOR SOLIDARITY DAY! SEPTEMBER 19.
Published by The American Federation of Government Employees
1325 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 737-8700
AFL-CIO
SOLIDARITY
DAY
SEPTEMBER 19, 1981
AFGE will be there
Be a part of labor's history-join us
Who:
Union members from all over the nation; religious and civic groups;
coalitions.
What:
A giant march on Washington for equity, pay, jobs, social justice. Govern-
ment workers will be protesting budget cuts, employment cuts, pay cuts,
rifs, contracting-out and threats to our retirement system.
Where:
AFGE's contingent will gather at the Western Plaza (Pennsylvania Ave.,
between 13th and 14th) from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Look for the AFGE signs.
This area is convenient to both main subway stops (Federal Triangle or
Metro Center).
When:
SEPTEMBER 19, 1981
Why:
To convince the Reagan Administration and Congress that workers don't
support dismantling government and selling it to the highest bidder.
Be there
with AFGE
The AFGE Leader
August 24, 1981
Moston
From
Baker Armstrong Smith
SUBJECT:
Framing Solidarity Day - Point II
In my judgment Solidarity Day is not an event that the Administration should simply
oppose. Rather, it must be noted that it stands for a significant politicization
of federal union officialdom in opposition to our present form of representative
government. This is evidenced by Solidarity Day posters in federal office buildings
and AFGE and NTU union documents and speeches advocating shut downs of the
Reagan government by federal union job actions.
Another important issue that Solidarity Day frames is the falsity of the so-called
"Coalitions" that continue to spring up in opposition to the Reagan program. The
element that each of those so-called "spontaneous" coalitions had in common was
organization and financing by the big union hierarchy.
The attached article indicates that some of the fringe groups may prove embarrassing
to the AFL-CIO union officials. Perhaps so, but in my judgment, this represents
an opportunity to frame all the so-called "spontaneous coalitions" for exactly
what they are: put up jobs, with the money paid and the strings pulled by union
officials.
To a certain extent, there is a belief that the power of these union officials to
orchestrate a demonstration is something to be feared. To the contrary, despite
spending millions in compulsory union dues to defeat candidate Reagan in the last
election (and will without doubt always oppose him) these officials had no effect
on the rank and file who Reagan has always been able to appeal to, knowing that
union officials do not represent their political beliefs.
If Solidarity Day represents anything to be feared it's where it falls sequentially
in the union scheme to destabilize the Reagan Administration by direct political
action through illegal federal union strikes, stoppages, and slow downs.
THIS WEEK'S NEWS FROM
Inside
Washington
AFL-CIO 'Solidarity Day' May Backfire
In a major challenge to the Reagan Administra-
cadre interact with the union rank-and-file that will
to back President Reagan's plans to beef up
tion, the leadership of the AFL-CIO is organizing a
be bused in for the event.
American defenses. Although the statement main-
massive demonstration in Washington on
Even though Communist groups were not
tained that the AFL-CIO continued to support
September 19 that it hopes will thwart President
specifically invited to Solidarity Day, the far
national defense, it said this support was not "to
Reagan's plans to cut back the size and scope of the
left sees the event as a great opportunity.
be taken as a blank check for the Pentagon."
federal bureaucracy. But the failure by organizers
The statement added that we are not con-
of "Solidarity Day" to discourage involvement in
The Marxist newspaper, the Guardian, reported
vinced that vast increases in defense spending will
the demonstration by Marxist-Leninist groups
in themselves substantially strengthen the U.S.
threatens to backfire on Big Labor, embarrass
military position," and warned that "by increasing
AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland, and lead to
further alienation between the AFL-CIO leader-
AFL-CIO
defense spending at the expense of vital social pro-
grams, the Administration risks the creation of
ship and union rank-and-file.
new anti-defense constituencies among workers,
In announcing plans for the event, the AFL-CIO
the poor, minorities and the elderly."
called on organized labor and its "allies" to march
However, observers say that by failing to reaf-
in the streets to protest "the Administration's
firm its traditional support of a strong national
assault on vital social programs and to promote
jobs, justice and equality."
SOLIDARITY
defense, and by failing to make such support one
aspect of the September 19 protest, the AFL-CIO
An advisory board for Solidarity Day was
leadership is encouraging the creation of "anti-
unveiled that included the leaders of major AFL-
CIO filiated unions, along with Eleanor Smeal of
DAY
defense constituencies." In fact, a number of anti-
defense groups, including the Institute for Policy
the National Organization for Women, Monsignor
SEPTEMBER 19, 1981
Studies (IPS), the U.S. Peace Council, SANE, and
Francis J. Lally of the United States Catholic Con-
the Coalition for a New Foreign and Military
ference, Benjamin Hooks of the NAACP, Vernon
Policy, have already issued "A Call to Join Soli
Jordan of the Urban League, Sharon Stark of the
that the Communist party, the Socialist Workers
darity Day."
Consumer Federation of America, Bayard Rustin
party. the Democratic Socialist Organizing Com-
Their statement says, in part: "We call upon the
of Social Democrat: USA, Gaylord Nelson of the
mitice, and the Workers World party, which orga-
peace movement to take its place alongside the
Wilder: ess Society, and radical black "leaders"
niz: the May 3 March on the Pentagon, have
labor movement of our country in a tremendous
Jesse Jackson and Joseph Lowery.
"mobilized strongly" for September 19. The
show of strength to protest the course of the
The advisory board approved a list of 14
Guardian said that the protest represents "a sig-
Reagan Administration
We want to join with
domestic issues that will be the focus of the
nificant opportunity for the left to influence the
our sisters and brothers of the labor and justice
demonstration. They are civil rights, education,
tens of thousands of workers, minorities and
movements in raising the demands: Money for
energy. environment, fair trade, fair taxes, health
wo:: who will be brought to Washington. Every
Jobs, Not for War; and Feed the People. Not the
and safety, housing, jobs, justice, lower interest
bander from 'No Nukes' to 'No Neutron Bombs'
Pentagon."
rates, Social Security, voting rights and women's
to 'Gay Rights' to 'Fight the Racist Tide' should
Charlie Hughes, a key organizer of the protest,
rights.
be visible at the march."
told HUMAN EVENTS that he is not worried about
In a speech last month to the AFL-CIO general
The Communist party newspaper, Daily World,
any Marxists who may show up at the demonstra-
board meeting in Chicago, Kirkland explained why
has given the march front-page publicity. Gus
tion. He pointed out that the AFL-CIO will deter-
the labor federation launched plans for Solidarity
Hall, general secretary of the party, says the
mine who is allowed to speak to the crowd when it
Day.
September 19 event represents "a day of new
assembles at the Capitol. Representatives of the
Citing President Reagan's recent statement that
heightened struggle, new unity, new coalitions,
far left, he indicated, will not be speaking.
labor leaders were "out of step with their own
new alliances-a Solidarity Day with all peoples
However, a labor source told HUMAN EVENTS
rank-and-file" in their criticism of the Administra-
and movements dedicated to militant fightback
that the presence of extreme left-wingers at the
tion's economic program, Kirkland said, "Mr.
against the monopoly offensive."
rally, even if they number only a few thousand,
Reagan has thrown down the gauntlet. He claims
The Communist party has even taken partial
will still be a "disgusting" sight. The source
his victims as allies. He would make working peo-
credit for the rally, with the Daily World reporting
said a decision was made by the AFL-CIO not to
ple accomplices in his assault CT their interests. I
that more than a year ago, "at the initiative of the
exclude anybody from the demonstration. "In
do not believe that we can quietly turn our backs
left, including the [Communist] party, left-center
order to guarantee its success, they let everybody in
and walk away from this challenge and still be true
coalitions began to form around the general de-
under the same tent." But now, the source in-
to our mandate."
mand for a mass labor-led march in Washington
dicated, AFL-CIO organizers are concerned that
However, Kirkland was careful in that speech
on the issue of jobs and plant closings."
the media which cover the march will focus on the
not to appear as an apologist for big government,
While that claim may be an overstatement, there
left-wing fringe elements and their outrageous
which has oppressed workers as well as busi-
is no doubt that Kirkland, unlike his predecessor
signs and banners. The AFL-CIO is trying to make
nessmen. "We are not for big government as an
George Meany, is more subject to the influence of
sure that union rank-and-file bring their own signs
end in itself," Kirkland claimed. "But in a
the left-wing elements inside-and outside of the
emphasizing the 14 domestic issues. "They hope
democratic society, the people have the right to
labor movement. The watered-down resolution on
that if we have 100,000 signs, and the Left has a
shape government into an instrument that meets
national defense that was passed at the AFL-CIO's
few thousand, the media will see our signs," the
their needs."
Chicago meeting is an illustration of this fact.
source said.
The enormous resources of Big Labor-consist-
Prodded by United Auto Workers (UAW) Pres-
The other major problem is that the rank-and-
ing mainly of dues paid by union members-will
ident Douglas Fraser, American Federation of
file may blame the AFL-CIO leadership for letting
guarantee a massivc turnout on September 19.
State, COunty and Municipal Employees
militant leftists muscle in on the demonstration.
Organizers are predicting that anywhere from
(AFSCME) President Jerry Wurf, and William
"Our guys will be marching in hard hats," this
100,000 to a quarter of a million persons will at-
Winpisinger of the International Association of
labor source told us. And when they see the left-
tend. But observers will be watching closely to see
Machinists, the Kirkland-led executive council ap-
wing crazies, "our folks are going to go nuts.
how the Marxist-Leninist organizations and their
proved a statement on defense spending that failed
They're not going to like it."
801
SEPTEMBER 12, 1981 / Human Events
5
of Labor Letter
A Special News Report on People
And Their Jobs in Offices,
Fields and Factories
THE CHECKOFF: The AFL-CIO spurns
HUD's bid to hand out leaflets advertising
its services at Saturday's "Solidarity Day'
protests against the Reagan administration.
Employe investment funds are among
the biggest shareholders at one third of the
top 500 U.S. firms, says Labor and Invest-
ments, an AFL-CIO publication.
-ROBERT S. GREENBERGER
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL,
Tuesday, September 15, 1981
WASHINGTON INQUIRER
AFL-CIO Chief Okays
Red Role in Solidarity Day
September 11, 1981
Lane Kirkland, president of the AFL-CIO, in-
treasurer of the Hatters Union and chairman of the
dicated on the CBS program "Face the Nation" last
Council for the Defense of Freedom, has sent a
Sunday that the efforts of the Communist Party,
telegram to Mr. Kirkland calling on him to repudiate
USA to muscle in on the September 19 Solidarity Day
communist participation in Solidarity Day. Mr.
demonstration in Washington sponsored by the
Lewis points out that it would be tragic irony if the
AFL-CIO posed no problem. The Washington
Kremlin's puppets in this country were permitted to
Inquirer carried at front-page story last week pointing
play a prominent role in a demonstration named in
out that the Communist Party through its organ, the
honor of the brave Polish workers' movement that is
Daily World, was vigorously promoting Solidarity
leading the struggle to loosen the Soviet grip on
Day participation and was even claiming credit for
Poland.
having inspired this mass demonstration of
There is some fear in union circles that the par-
discontent with the Reagan domestic policies.
ticipation of the communists and other leftwing
CBS correspondent George Herman asked Mr.
extremists in the September 19 demonstration will
Kirkland about this, saying: "There have been
give the labor movement a black eye. They fear the
media will focus on the banners and placards carried
newspaper articles, as you may know, all over the
country saying the Communist Party has been trying
by the extremists. To counter this they have urged
to get a role in Solidarity Day."
participating unions to bring an abundance of
Mr. Kirkland replied: "We're turning no one
banners and placards to the demonstration, hoping
away, Mr. Herman. There are many people jumping
to put.the extremist groups into the shade.
on this bandwagon is order, I presume, to make the
However, there is also fear that the union rank and
point that they are part of a larger whole. The fact of
file, who voted for Reagan in large numbers last
the matter is that Solidarity Day was an undertaking
year, may not respond with great enthusiasm to an
Initiated by the trade union movement in response to
anti-Reagan demonstration. Wilson C. Lucom,
editor-in-chief of the Inquirer, recalled that the late
a challenge-the challenge represented by these
A. I. Muste, the veteran pacifist, once declined to
attacks on 50 years of social progress-and also to:
- affirm the continued commitment of the American
exclude the*gommunists from the peace movement
because he feared such an action would cause the
trade union movement to its aspirations It has &
movement to fall apart. Mr. Lucom said it appears
positive aspect as well as indicating our reaction to
that the AFL-CIO leadership is afraid to discourage
what we regard very strongly as a negative course of
communist and other extremist participation in
events harmful to the country and harmful to our
Solidarity Day for fear the demonstration would flop
society as represented by the Reagan program thus-
without them.
far."-
In response to an earlier question Mr. Kirkland
had stated that the labor movement has used the
device of demonstrations throughout history "to
effectively bear witness to the fact that we are a
movement with broad support form the rank and file
and with broad allies." He said that purpose would
be served by Solidarity Day.
Asked if the Democratic Party was an ally in
Solidarity Day. Mr. Kirkland said, "No." He said
that workers at the Democratic National Committee
headquarters who were wearing Solidarity Day
buttons were doing so at their own option. "We did
not recruit them," he said. He added that the
organizations that have joined with the unions to put
on Solidarity Day are those they worked with in the
"budget coalition." Those organizations were not
named. When the Communist participation was
brought úp, Mr Kirkland passed up the opportunity
to restate the traditional AFL-CIO hostility to
communism and to make it clear that the communists
were not invited and not welcome. "We're turning
away no one," he said.
The willingness of the AFL-CIO leadership to
accept the support of the Communist Party has
caused concern among anti-communiss supporters of
the labor movement, Marx Lewis, retired secretary-
EDITORIAL
Rowland Evans and Robert Noval
Reagan's Labor Movement
NEW YORK-M big labor's high
The Reugan-Koch upstaging of New
command was mobilizing members for
York City's first Labor Day perade in 13
istration's harvest reaped after planting
next Saturday's anti-Reagan rally in
years began Aug 27 with a telephone
seeds of more help than Koch ever re-
Washington, what Mayor Edward
call from Secretary of Labor Ray Dona-
ceived from fellow Democrat Carter.
Koch calls the president's "brilliant
van to Koch. Would the mayor host a
One such seed was planted by Interine
upmanship" in New York cupitalized
Secretary James Watt when he came
on the split in the labor movement.
ceremonial presentation of the Westway
check before some 1,000 guests? Koch
here this summer to consider Kuch's
Koch referred to President Reugan's
Labor Day coup to which the Demo-
immediately agreed, while suggesting
longtime request, ignored by Carter, to
Central Park might be more suitable for
recover methane gas generated as a by-
cratic mayor contributed significantly.
that many people.
product of the city sanitation dump.
While AFI.CIO president Lane Kirk-
But they were all crammed in, deflect-
Koch was ready to give Watt a helicop-
land led a Labor Day parade backing the
ing attention from the paráde to which
ter ride to inspect the dump, but Wate
unpopular air traffic controllers, Reagan
Reagan was not invited. "I think they
told him it was not necessary: the White
was cheered by building trades union
made the dumbest error possible in in
House had instructed him to give Ed
chiefs at the mayor's residence as he pro-
Koch anything he wanted.
sulting the president," Koch told us in
sented Koch with a ceremonial $85 mil-
his City Hall office four days later.
So, on Labor Day, Koch praised
lion check for the city's Westway project.
Democratic politicians not nearly SOFA
union chiefs from "Samuel Compers,
The presence of these labor leaders
friendly to Reagan as Koch agree with
George Meany to the leaders gathered
confirmed political division in the labor
the mayor's use of "brilliant" in de-
here today," without mentioning Lane
movement. Kirkland has declared war
scribing the coup. "You can never
Kirkland. He then introduced Reagan
on Reagan, and New York City labor
as "a man who has had the courage to
chief Harry Van Arsdale endorsed
again charge that Ronald Reagan has,
done nothing for New York," said one
bring our country a fresh approach to
Koch's token liberal opponent for the
Democratic insider who called Kirk-
government." As an advocate of en-
Democratic mayoral nomination. Hut
land's identification with the air con-
forcing New York's seldom-onforced
anti-Reogan, anti-Kock sentiment in
trullers a political blunder.
Taylor Law against public employee.
concentrated among public employees;
The inovitable pickets at Gracie Man-
strikes, he applauds Reagan for firing
each has leadership and rank-and-file
the striking air controllers.
backing among blue-coller workers.
sion included environmentalists protest-
ing the Westway, explaining why the
But Reagan's infiltration of Demo-
That this is not merely a local pho-
project was yet to be approved when
crats, organized labor and even the
nomenon was shown by the presence at
Gracie Mansion of one of labor's
Reagan became president. "[Jimmy]
New York mayor's office is menaced
Carter could have won over Koch and
by the economy. Like his fellow New
brightest stare nationaliye Robert
the building trades," a New York Demo-
Yorkers who work in Wall Street, Koch
Georgine, head of the building trades-
cratic politician told us, "if he had been
eyes the high interest rates and sees
unions. "The labor movement won't
willing to stand the heat from a few hun-
them ruining Reagan's plan. Reagan's
like this," Georgine told a friend at the
dred pickets. He wouldn't."
revolution is menaced not by the labor
ceremony. Dissenting from Kirkland's
But Reagan's coup would have been
leaders who marched in New York
warfare against Reagan, he has main-
impossible had it not been for Koch's
Labor Day and will march in Washing-
tained relations with the White House
quick agreement to the request from
ton Saturday but by that unexpected
on grounds that his first priority is johs
Donovan, currently getting a cold shoul-
ecoromic poison that transcends any
for his nembership-building projects
such as the Westway.
der from the AFL-CIO high command
number of political coups engineered
by the White House.
The mayor's cooperation was the admin-
& 1991, Fleid Reductries, inc.
THE W ASHINGTON POST
Monday, September 11, 1981
UAW
Do Congress and the Reagan administration have a
Ammo
mandate to turn back the clock on fifty years of social
published twelve times a
LET'S
progress?
ISSN 0161-9810
Can they undo the Social Security system by reducing
year by the International.
Union,
United
promised benefits?
Automobile. Aerospace.
and Agricultural Imple-
SHOW
Can they let corporate America run amok with little
ment Workers of
regard for the social costs of their decisions?
America (UAW). Vol.
21. No. 6. June 1981.
The new Washington, D.C. crew claims that is its
Editorial offices at 8000
E. Jefferson. Detroit.
OUR
mandate. But on September 19, the U.S. labor move-
MI 48214.
ment and our allies will be telling them they had better
Second-class postage
paid at Indianapolis.
watch their step.
Ind. Subscription: $1.20
a year. Published at 2457
E. Washington St., In-
STRENGTH
We will be demonstrating in Washington, D.C. in the
dianapolis. Ind. 46201.
mall that stretches from the Capital building to the Lin-
Douglas Fraser
coln Memorial. The demonstration was called by AFL-
President
CIO President Lane Kirkland.
Ray Majerus
Sec.-Treas.
The UAW-which has just reaffiliated with the 14 mil-
Vice Presidents: Owen
Bieber, Don Ephlin.
lion-member labor federation-joined in enthusiasti-
Martin
Gerber,
Odessa Komer, Mare
cally. From all over, UAW members are making plans
Stepp. Robert White,
to go to Washington by bus, by car, by train.
Steve Yokich
mm
We'll be marching under UAW banners. And we will
be demonstrating side to side with members of other
UAW
unions and groups: the Steelworkers, the Machinists,
the Food and Commercial Workers, the Communication
Don Stillman, editor;
Workers, AFSCME, the Electrical Workers, DSOC, the
Dick Olson, manag-
ing editor: Jerry Date:
NAACP, ACORN and the National Council of Senior
Dave Elsila. Hobbie
Citizens.
Barbee. Nancy Brig.
ham, Karl Mantyla.
If you want to go to this historic march, contact the
David Mitchell, Jeff
Stansbury LAW Public
CAP representative at your UAW regional office.
Relations & Publications
Dept.
Transportation systems are being stretched to the
POSTMASTER Send
maximum. Already all trains east of the Mississippi have
form 3579 to 8000 E. Jef.
ferson. Detroit. MI
been filled by unions going to the nation's capital.
48214.
And CAP staff from across the country are re-
43
porting an enthusiastic response from UAW members.
Cover by
GOLDSWORTHY 81
So you should act quickly before the buses and planes
Steve Goldsworthy
Vol. 21. No. 6
are filled if they haven't been already.
2/UAW AMMO
UAW AMMO/S
DEAR PRESIDENT REAGAN:
During your election campaign, you pledged not to repeal or weaken
the vitally important Davis-Bacon Act.
The Washington Post
We know you are a man who keeps his promises. But some politicians
are trying to get you to break your promise to defend Davis-Bacon.
The Davis-Bacon Act was enacted more than 50 years ago by a
Tuesday, September 15, 198
conservative business-minded administration to protect taxpayers.
employers and workers from unscrupulous contractors.
It is a law designed to stabilize the fragile economies of local com-
munities by protecting workers from exploitation and employers from
unfair cut-throat competition.
We support prudent and responsible spending by the government.
But the administrative changes proposed for Davis-Bacon are penny-
wise and pound-foolish. These changes will cost taxpayers far more in
the long run.
We support efforts to make the administration of Davis-Bacon more
efficient and less costly, but we oppose the wholesale weaken-
ing of basic protections for workers now being proposed.
Mr. President, tell your leaders in Congress, the
Labor Department and the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget that Ronald Reagan
is an honorable man who keeps
his word. Tell them to stop
tampering with Davis-
Bacon.
President Reagan,
America needs Davis-
Bacon. We are counting
on you to keep your
promise.
Respectfully,
Building and Construction
Trades Department, AFL-
CIO, Robert ^ Georgine. Presi-
dent Joseph F Maloney. Secretary-
Treasurer International Association
of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental
Iron Workers, J 11 Lyons. General Prese
dent International Brotherhood of Paint-
ors and Allied Trades, S Frank Raftery. Gen-
end President International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, Charles H Pillard. Interna-
tional President International Brotherhood of
Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Black-
smiths, Forgers and Helpers, larold J Buoy. In-
ternational President United Association of Jour-
neymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and
Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and
Canada, Martin J Ward. General President Laborers'
International Union of North America, Angelo Fosco.
General President International Union of Operating
Engineers. C Turner. General President Internation-
al Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and
Asbestos Workers, Andrew T Haas. General President
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts-
men, John T Joyce. President United Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Joiners of America, William Konyha.
General President International Union of Elevator
Constructors, Everett ^ Treadway. General President
Tile, Marble, Terrazzo, Finishers and Shopmen In-
ternational Union, Pascal-DiJames. General Presi-
dent United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers
and Allied Workers, Hoy E Johnson Internation-
all President Sheet Metal Workers' Internation-
al Association, Edward Carlough. General
1
Pro: achint Operative Plasterers' and Cement
Masons' International Association of the
United States and Canada, Molvin H Hoots.
General President
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL,
Tuesday, September 15, 1981
Labor Gambles Its Political Clout
On Saturday's Anti-Reagan Rally
By JOANN 1 LUBLIN
that the raily might help permade Congress
And ROBERT & GREENBERGER
relly coordinators have been asking AFL
to reject Mr. Reagan's proposed curtailment
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOCKNAL
COO officials to "double plan" overything.
WASHINGTON - Organized labor
of certain Social Security benefits.
says the AFT's Miss Horowitz, transporta-
take a big political gamble Saturday when
in and-Reagan march by several
tion coordinator for the 1963 demonstration.
rimaters supporters for "Solidarity Day,'
hundred thousand individuals might encour-
"It's sort of like a military operation."
major protest against the Reagna admiais-
age Democrats who have been voting for the
administration's budget eats to oppose them
Imported Tollets
tration.
instead, says Rochelle Horowitz, a lobbyist
Toilets, transportation and food are the
The U.S. labor movement earily takes is
the streets for mass political protest. Bell
for the American Federation of Teachers.
biggest problems. The National Park Ser-
the AFL-CIO, galled by President Reagna's
the believes - may be able to hold off
vice requires case portable tollet for every
charges that its leaders are out of step with
some" Idditional budget cuts the President
200 marchers. "But there aren't enough
unionists, hopes that a quarter of a million
wants, win extension of the Vottag Rights
jokas available," says Kevia Kistler, logis-
people will rally and march to the Capitol to
Act and "pull together some other legisla-
tics coordinator. We're trying to get more
protest Mr. Reagan's budget cuta and "an-
tive victories." In addition, Miss Horowits
of them. We're bringing them in from as far
points out, AFT and other unions are
away as Canada."
9
thworker" policies. Labor has enlisted the
participation of more than 150 civil rights,
"Viewing this march as the first step in the
Burns, too, are scarce-especially be
1982 election.'
women's, religious, consumer, ethnic, eart
cause unions canceled more than 80 chart-
s
ronmental and political groups.
Rejuvenation Seen
erad flights in sympathy with the air-traffic
"The gauntiet has been thrown down.
Some union imports say the spectacle of
controllers' strike. The Washington State
Reagan is telling . that we don't represent
so many grouph supporting the AFL-CIO
Labor-Council had hoped to thy in 500 protes-
our members. But the leadership of organ-
thre; instead, 45 individuals will drive to
land labor is out to show that it can organism
Vancouver, British Columbia, fly to Toroato
and turn out its members," says Joseph
and then take an eight-hour bus ride to
Beeman, political and legislative director of
Washington.
the American Federation of State, County
"We have run out of buses on the East
and Municipal Employes.
Coast," says John Perkins, Solidarity Day's
Dibition Is Risked
SOLIDARITY
overall coordinator. Greyhound Corp. says
Still, the rally carries risks. A relatively
marchers in 21 states will use 550 of its vehi-
small turnout would be humiliating. Even
clas-nearty 12% of its nationwide flest.
with a strong showing. some critics say that
Other groups have rented trains. school
the presence of so many groups-each pro-
buses and vans for the trek to Washington.
moting a pet issue-will dilute the rally's
SEPTEMBER
is addition, the federation will spend $65,000
force by blurring its goals. In fact, the Soll-
to lease Washington's subway system for the
darity Day steering committee could agree
"What are they
day, so anyone can ride for free and buses
to focus on no fewer than 14 domestic Issues,
trying to tell us," asks
can park at outlying Metro stations.
including energy, fair trade and justice.
"Well, at least they' short words," says an
a White House official.
A Litter Worry
AFL/CIO spokesman.
"That there are people
Food and lodging may prove to be prob-
lems. especially with a threatened walkout
Some administration and Capitol HII
out there who don't like
Wednesday against 24 hotels by a hotel and
staffers doubt that the protest will alter Mr.
Reagan's views or members of Congress's
Ronald Reagan? We
restaurant workers union local here. But be-
cause most protesters will come just for the
votes. The era of changing minds with
know that."
day and being their own food, Mr. Perkins
massive demonstrations has been over for
worries more about the litter left by 250,000
15 years," says an aide to a Democratic
people.
Senator.
Saturday may help rebuild the liberal-labor
political coalition. "Look at the clout labor
"T've said, 'there will be no ribs or
A Reagan official questions whether even
250,000 marchers would impress the White
has to find so many diverse organizations to
chicken, the AFL-CIO official declares,
House. "After all." be says, "you can get a
jobs them on these issues," argues union
explaining that such meals mean discarded
few hundred thousand people here to listen
consultant Victor Kamber. Solidarity Day
bones. To help enforce his mandate. be has
to the Beach Boys," a singing group. "What
"to a kickoff to labor's total rejuvenation"
sent caterers' menus with food including
are they trying to tall us?" be asks. "That
as a political force, he asserts.
"no bones of any kind" to unions that want
to order boxed lunches for their members.
there are people out there who don't like
Solidarity Day begins at 9 a.m. on the
He also has commandeered 10,000 free gar-
Ronald Reague? We know that."
Washington Monument's grounds with enter-
bage bags from the service employes union
Leaders Want Follow-Up
tainment and the introduction of celebrities.
and has solicited cleanup help from the sani-
The demonstration could mark organized
So far, the AFL-CIO isn't sure who will en-
tation workers and two other unions.
labor's final break with the Reagan adminis-
tertain or whether popular political figures,
tration, after months of sparring. But some
such as Democratic Sea. Edward M. Ken-
Despite the potential logistical mess, mo-
labor officials warn that unions may erode
nedy of Massachusetts, will show up. The
rale is running high at the federation's Soli-
any new political clout as Mr. Reagan's
noon march to the Capital will be led by the
darity Day office, a converted conference
leading opposition unless there is a com-
groups with the largest contingests. The at-
room. There is noisy, intense activity, in
certed follow-up to the protest. "With no fat-
ternoon rally, on the Capitol's west side, will
contrast to the usual tranquil pace in the
low-up," AFSCME's Mr. Beeman says,
include 15 speakers and purported
AFL-CIO's headquarters. Constantly jan-
"well just look good on the evening news
"victims" of Mr. Reagan's policies, such M
gling phones go unanswered, piles of posters
and then be forgotten."
a senior citizen and a fired air-traffic con-
litter the floor, rally planners rush to and
troller.
fro. and a visitor grabs one to ask, "Do you
Most labor leaders instat, though, that a
have any posters in Spanish?" As be gets
huge turnout Saturday would have immedi-
The logistical headaches behind the rally
- material and leaves, be walks by a
ate and long-term political consequences.
are enormous. Using how-to manuals from
large, hand-lettered anti-Reagan sign that
AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland has said
the 1963 civil rights march on Washington,
reads: "This one's for the Gipper!"
ada
for your
information
AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION
Suite 850 . 1411 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 (202) 638-6447
x
MARCH ON DC
September 1981:7
On: Saturday, Saptember 19, ADA joins
the AFL-CIO's national Solidarity Day
protest. Members are gathering at 10:00
a.m. on the Mall at the SW corner of 17th
Street and Constitution Avenue (across
17th Street from the Washington Monument).
At that time we are distributing ADA signs
to marchers and then joining the march
from the Washington Monument to Capitol
Hill in support of JOBS, JUSTICE, HUMAN
RIGHTS, and SOCIAL PROGRESS. ADA National
Director Leon Shull advises members: "Be
there, be visible, and be on time."
September 14,1981
THE WASHINGTON POST
AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN
Senor Presidente:
Once again, the Nation is commemorating National Hispanic Heritage Week, September 13-18, 1981, to show
appreciation for the many fine contributions which Americans of Hispanic ancestry have made to the United
States.
One important difference is taking place in 1981 which makes the observance of this occasion a particularly
distasteful and onerous act this year for a majority of Hispanics. Your Administration has embarked on a course
of action which assumes o "broad national mandate" from all Americans to have you dismantle, disembowel,
or otherwise discontinue programs for the poor,women, the disadvantaged and minorities.
We Hispanics do not support your current course of actions. We find them ironic, patronizing, insensitive and
highly contradictory to the spirit of the National Hispanic Heritage proclamation for 1981, which you have just
signed. How can we observe National Hispanic Heritage Week in good conscience when:
Hispanic Federal employees in unprecedented numbers are being given their last pay checks this month and
told that the Federal Government no longer needs them.
Essential programs in key areas of health, education, employment, housing, energy, civil rights and
transportation will no longer be available to a large segment of the Hispanic population beginning October
1.
Vital public information programs designed to reach Hispanics in the language of their choice are being
terminated at agencies such as the Departments of Energy, Education, Housing and the Community Services
Administration.
Appointees of Hispanic ancestry to your Administration, who could speak out on behalf of the community,
have been few and largely relegated to lower level positions.
We are a coalition of organizations representing the mojority of Hispanic Americans in the United States. This
letter brings to your attention those areas of most concern to us, which if left to the current course of action of
your Administration will set back the many advances our people have worked so hard to achieve.
We fully support the principles of your economic recovery plan for the Nation and are willing to sacrifice our
fair share, but not at the expense of the few hard-fought gains Hispanics have made in the last few years. We
recommend that you take immediate and decisive action to alter the following aspects of your Administration,
which we find troublesome:
1. Instruct your Cabinet Secretaries and other top agency officials to work at reducing the negative impact of
your policies and programs on Hispanic Americans by consulting with the community before such actions
are proposed
2. Reorient your budget cuts to minimize the destruction of special emphasis programs of vital necessity to
Hispanics in the areas of Civil Rights, education, energy, health, housing, labar and transportation.
3. Alter the make-up of the Federal workforce in policy-making positions to assure that Hisponics and other
minorities are fully represented in the decision-making processes of your Administration at the GS-15,
Senior Executive Service and appointee levels.
4. Take a stronger affirmative action position to insure that "the last hired-first fired" rule presently being
applied inthe current "reduction-in-force" actions does not destroy ten years of progress made by
Hispanics in public service. The majority of Hispanics employed in the Federal government are non-career,
excepted term appointment, part-time, temporary positions with limited time in service. Consequently, they
are likely to be the fitst and most unfairly affected group of "reduction-in-force" actions.
5. Through business tox incentives and other economic means, similar to what you are proposing for the arts
and humanities, involve the private sector in filling the voids in Hispanic employment opportunities and
community development needs, which you are creating with your budget reduction measures in the
Federal sector.
Mr. President, do not brush these concerns aside as idle, emotional, rhetoric from a small segment of the
community. Behind these concerns are stark realities of a duality in American life that could blunt the impact of
your Administration on the economic and social well-being of the United States.
We are not asking for charity nor for pity. We only want a fair share of our Federal tax dollar and the right to
have equal representation of our interests by your Administration.
We have been recently described in the national media as "a people on the move-young, aggressive and
hungry for (our) rightful share of the American dream." You can add significant meaning to this dreamand and
to the observance of National Hispanic Heritage Week this year by reconsidering your harsh budgetary
measures and noticeable absence of Hispanic representation in your Adminstration and throughout the Federal
system. Your actions are affecting disproportionatelly the poor, women, the disadvantaged, Hispanics and other
minorities.
What good is a balanced budger TO a nation of disenfranchized citi zens?
National IMAGE. Incorporated
National Association of Formworkers Organizations
(
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
National Council of la Raza
Hispanic Higher Education Coalition
Association of Hispanic Federal Executives
Association for Cross Cultural Education and Social Studies, Inc.
Coalition of Federal Hispanic Employee Organizations
U.S. Catholic Conference Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs
Association of Cuban-American Government Employees
National Association for Bilingual Education
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Special Interest Group on Hispanic Research
LULAC Council of Northern Virginia
LULAC Council 11041 of Washington, D.C.
Concerned (Citizens for Hispanic Fair Housing
National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc.
Hispanic Bar Association
National Association of Cuban-American Women
Mexican-American Women's National Association
Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs
Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund
U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development
OTHICE of the Secretary
From: Baker A. Smith
ADMINISTRATIVELY file
Assistant to the Secretary
for Labor Relations
CONFIDENTIAL
To Morton Blackwell
Date
9/10/81
The attached notice of Solidarity Day
is posted th the HUD buildey.
As you Can fle from the attacked
articles, solidarity Pay it self is
not as signaticant as the subsequent
events in AFGE and National Treasury
Uhin officials plans to Destabilize the
Reagan program and to organize
illegal federal employee strikes,
Solidarity Day doe represent a
sig nif, ant step in federal employee
anim officialdom to openly and publicly
use their special position of trust to
inter fere in the process of governance
1 and to thousant the political process
with best wider
Baker
STOP
CONTRACTING-OUT; LAYOFFS;
RIFS; BUDGET CUTS;
The AFGE
RETIREMENT CUTS;
PAY CAPS; SEXUAL
HARASSMENT; UNSAFE
WORKING CONDITIONS
Challenger
NOW
AFL-CIO
SOLIDARITY
DAY
SEPTEMBER 19, 1981
All A.F.G.E. members, their family and friends will assemble at the
Western Plaza across the street from the District Building (Penna. Ave., betw.
13th & 14th Sts., N.W.) between 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 19.
Federal Triangle (Blue Line) and Metro Center (Red Line) subway stops are just
two blocks away. Nearly all Metro Buses go past the Western Plaza. AFGE hats,
Solidarity Day T-Shirts, etc. will be available from COFEPE at this time. We
will assemble behind our banner to receive instructions concerning the march
and hear words of Solidarity from national leaders then join tens of thousands
of our AFL-CIO Sisters and Brothers at the Washington Monument just blocks away.
Every AFGE member bring your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and a
lunch bag. Everyone will be there. ALL OUT FOR SOLIDARITY DAY! SEPTEMBER 19.
Published by The American Federation of Government Employees
1325 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 737-8700
21
AFGE Works To Destabilize Reagan Program
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFL-CIO, has set out
on a course to destabilize the Reagan economic program in conjunction with other
groups, including the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), which opposes the nation's
current economic system, including free enterprise and capitalism.
AFGE's program consists of the personally directed activities of Kenneth
Blaylock, president of AFGE and the AFL-CIO's Public Employee Department (PED).
As early as December at a meeting of executives of AFGE, Blaylock outlined the
general desire to destabilize the Reagan government, even before the new admini-
stration's program was outlined. It was at this meeting that he brought up the
idea of a coalition with such goups as IPS, which, incidentally, also supports
unilateral disarmament by the United States. Two union presidents, Douglas Fraser
United Auto Workers, and William Winspisinger, International Association of Machinists,
are on IPS's board of directors.
AFGE is the largest federal union with more than 300,000 actual members and
representing a total of approximately 700,000.
The highlights of AFGE's program, adopted by their national executive council
over the Memorial Day weekend are as follows:
1. Political action built in congressional districts through committees at
every union level.
2. A public education campaign devised to give citizens a "clear picture" of
the impact of budget cuts.
3. Join and form coalitions to fight budget cuts.
4: Union actions will follow a program of "gradually escalating militant con-
frontations" starting during June and culminating in early fall.
The program contains a calendar of activities, including: June: Educate AFGE
local members on the program. July: Key selected sites in Washington, D.C., are
to be picked for demonstrations, plus demonstrations in other communities. July &
August: Face-to-face lobbying, through congressional breakfasts and other meetings.
September: National Day of Protest involving maximum number of AFGE members in
conjunction with the Budget Coalition of the AFL-CIO and other allied organizations.
October: Membership vote on options for direct action protests if the threats to
public service continue.
Blaylock said in a May 28 press conference that a strike vote would be taken
in October.
The Government Union Critique is published 26 times a year by the Public Service
Research Council, 8330 Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, Virginia 22180. Telephone: (703)
790-0700; David Y. Denholm, President; George C. Bevel, Editor; John Barth, Research
Director; Roman K. Rice, Political Editor. Copyright 1981 by Public Service Research
Council. Subscriptions: $80.00 per year.
Page 8
CRITIQUE, June 19, 1981
MILITANCY MOUNTS AMONG FEDERAL WORKER UNIONS
Although President Reagan cracked down hard on air traffic controllers
who walked off their jobs, militancy mounts anong other unions that represent
federal workers. The most immediate display of such sentiment could occur
Thursday by 400 delegates to the National Treasury Employees Union convention,
which represents about 108,000 federal workers. Union president Vincent Connery
has asked delegates to the union convention underway in Montreal to approve a
resolution for a "concerted action preparedness plan." While the resolution
does not use the word "strike," union spokesman Jerry Klepner said it was
intended to include strike action. The union has contract negotiations coming
this winter with the U.S. customs agency. "There is no reason that federal
employees should not have the right to strike," said Klepner.
(Drew Von Bergen, UPI, 12:58)
From white House News Summary