May 8, 2008 1:28 PM
The anti-immigrant bill IR-1105 currently before the Suffolk County Legislature is being depicted in the media as a showdown between unions and immigrants. We know that this is not the case. In fact a number of unions have headed the opposition to this bill. But, because several unions in the building trades helped push IR-1105 forward, news reports characterize the bill as part of labor's program.
Nothing could hurt organized labor more than to be identified with an attack on Latino workers. Latinos are the fastest growing segment of blue collar workers and throughout the United States they have repeatedly turned to union membership for protection, when locals are not seen as pursuing exclusionist policies.
That will change on Long Island as leaders in the building trades union are shown in the Spanish-language standing side by side with The Minute Men and the Boarder Patriot militia. And while half a dozen locals have come out against IR-1105, many other unions actively seeking Latino members stand on the sidelines. You might expect that immigrants will consider organized labor as arrayed against them, no matter what the facts really are.
Anti-immigrant bills like IR-1105 have been tried elsewhere. They haven't improved working conditions for American workers, they have just made the undocumented subject to even greater exploitation.
If you are a union member and your union has joined us in condemning IR-1105, then thank you. If your union has not taken a stand, ask your leadership why not.
Labor cannot be seen as attacking Latino workers.
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