SEPTEMBER 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 27
DIVIDED BY UNIONS
By WARREN STRUGATCH
With Labor Day approaching I phoned John R. Durso, Long Island’s preeminent
labor leader. In the spirit of the holiday, I asked him about unionization on
Long Island today.
Durso, who is not only president of the Long Island Federation of Labor – the
fourth largest such organization in the U.S. – but a much-admired spokesman
for labor’s rank and file, said unions in general were doing well, steadily
increasing their memberships and diversifying, particularly in the service
industries.
His comments brought to mind the role that unions played in the lives of my
maternal grandparents and great-grandparents. They worked in the garment
trades and were active union members. On my father’s side, my great-aunt
and great-uncle belonged to the International Workers of the World, better
known as Wobblies. I believe the unions changed all their lives for the better.
I remember them being fiercely loyal in their membership.
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LISTINGS
SPOTLIGHT WHOLLY
MOLI
MOVERS &
SHAKERS
CHARITY
PRESS BUSINESS
LI’S GROWING SERVICE SECTOR ENJOYS UNION BENEFITS, THE REST OF US PAY UP
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