Following the US presidential elections the debate about the future of the US labour movement has become more intense.

SEIU president, Andy Stern, recently called on the A.F.L.-C.I.O. to adopt a 10-point plan aimed at revitalising unions in the US. Part of the plan involves merging the 60 or so AFL-CIO affiliated unions into fewer than 20.

With US union density standing at less than 13% - 9% in the private sector - few people disagree about the need for radical change and increased investment in organising and recruitment. What is not so clear is the best way to do this - and the stance taken by the SEIU and the other unions in the 'New Unity Partnership' have come in for criticism from other unions, including the IAM.


You can follow the debate by logging on to Andy Stern's new web-site and blog.