Trumka Calls on Labor Movement To Adapt to New Models of Representation

CHICAGO—Pointing to continuing declines in union representation and recent assaults on collective bargaining rights, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka March 7 conceded that the American labor movement is “failing miserably’’ and must adapt its strategies to a new landscape.

“To be blunt, our basic system of workplace representation is failing—failing miserably—to meet the needs of America’s workers by every critical measure,’’ Trumka told a group of 100 union officials and labor supporters in Chicago.

In this challenging climate, Trumka said the labor movement must re-examine its historic relationship with American workers and adapt its strategies to a very different legal, economic, ...