New Democrat Update

Laboring in the ‘90s

As reported in the Colorado Statesman, the Colorado DLC’s continued success in transforming the Democratic Party is frustrating some in the labor movement. They say that since neither party welcomes unions, they will leave Democratic ranks and join the Colorado Labor Party. Both their diagnosis and solution are wrong.

Instead, unions should adapt to current realities and, in the process, become more politically relevant. Retreating to a third party, that will attract virtually no support, will only further put the movement on the sidelines and delay the necessary changes that must take place in organized labor and the Democratic Party.

A change in direction is not only possible but overdue. The teachers’ union at the national and state levels are demonstrating that it can be done. New Democrats should strongly support both efforts.

Colorado Education Association President Beverly Ausfahl has taken the lead in starting the Colorado Public School Network - a new partnership among education-related institutions aimed at making schools “learning organizations.” The Network is working on “reinventing government” reforms that push authority and responsibility to the school site, along with team integrated problem-solving and decision-making.

As president of the National Education Association, Bob Chase advocates that “collective bargaining can be the mother of reinvention.” For a copy of a speech Chase made to the National Press Club earlier this year, send us an e-mail.

For Democrats, such innovative directions from public employee unions are especially important. Because we believe that the public sector has an important role to play, our party must be on the forefront of non-bureaucratic initiatives that make government perform more effectively at less cost to taxpayers.

Otherwise, right-wing Republicans will continue to gain more political support to indiscreetly dismantle important public functions. That will prevent Colorado from meeting its future economic challenges and solving its critical social problems.

Of course, on the private sector front, New Democrats and labor have very different views on free trade. The New Democrat Update will tackle that issue when Congress considers giving President Clinton fast-track authority to negotiate free trade agreements with other Western Hemisphere nations.

This issue reveals some very sharp and defining differences within both political parties. At the same time, free trade must be thoroughly debated if states like Colorado are to have a bright economic future.