Politics with Amy Walter: Will Unions Deliver 2020 to the Democrats?

In the episode before Labor Day, we look at the rise and fall of the labor movement, particularly unions. By collectively bargaining for better work conditions, unions elevated the middle class. Over the years, many unions have watched their membership numbers decline. As a result of a few Supreme Court decisions, a loss in manufacturing jobs, and a lack of increased federal protections, the influence of unions was reduced.

As we edge closer to 2020, candidates hoping to win the Democratic nomination have made rebuilding the middle class the central tenant of their candidacies. So, what role will unions and organized labor play in 2020? Plus, we look at domestic workers and caregivers and how they’ve been left out of the conversation when it comes to labor protections.

Guests:
Randi Weingarten,President of the American Federation of Teachers

Lee Saunders,President of AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO

Rusty McAllister, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Nevada ALF-CIO

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

Dave Jamieson, Labor Reporter at the Huffington Post

Ai-jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance