The news that the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) was considering whether to take a (pro-choice) stand on abortion provoked a number of strong responses. We reprint two: first, a polling report from the Wirthlin Group showing public opinion on the issue; second, a letter sent by 14 United States congressmen to Lane Kirkland.
According to a recent national survey, Americans overwhelmingly believe that the AFL-CIO should not take a stand on the abortion issue. That opposition is shared by an even larger percentage of members of union households. Further, should the AFL-CIO choose to take a position on the issue, union members, as well as the general public, believe the position should be in opposition to abortion. The poll, conducted by the Wirthlin Group, a national public opinion research firm, included interviews with 1,000 adult Americans on March 19-21, 1990.
More than three-quarters of Americans (76 per-cent) believe that the AFL-CIO should concentrate on issues such as wages and workplace safety, rather than take a position on the issue of abortion. That sentiment extended to union households as well, with 77 percent believing the AFL-CIO should concentrate on other issues, while just 12 percent said they should take a position on abortion. Further, there is no significant difference on this question between the attitudes of union men and union women.
The national sample was also asked which position the AFL-CIO should take if it were to take one on this issue, and 45 percent responded that it should be opposed to abortion, while 34 percent said it should be in support of abortion. Union members shared that same sentiment, with 43 percent saying the AFL-CIO should oppose abortion, and 31 percent that it should support abortion. Interestingly, there is a considerable difference between union men and union women. Men are evenly divided on the issue (34 percent would want the AFL-CIO to support abortion; 34 percent say it should come out against abortion). However, female union members, by a margin of nearly two-to-one (52 to 28 percent ), would prefer the AFL-CIO’s position to be in opposition to abortion.
“These results show that Americans overwhelmingly believe that the AFL-CIO is not only out of touch with its membership, but clearly on the wrong side of its members in this debate,” said Neil Newhouse, senior vice president of the Wirthlin Group.
“The abortion issue clearly has the potential to turn a sizeable number of union members against the AFL-CIO, most specifically women,” continued Newhouse. “Abortion is such an emotional issue. Whatever short-term political gain the AFL-CIO could hope to make on this issue would be more than offset by long-term disaffection and turmoil from among its own members.”
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Mr. Lane Kirkland
President
AFL-CIO
815 Sixteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Dear Lane:
We have recently been informed that the AFL-CIO executive council may consider a resolution that would enter the AFL-CIO into the debate over legalized abortion. We believe that any AFL-CIO resolution in support of legalized abortion (whether using explicit terms or code words such as “reproductive choice”) would be inappropriate and inimical to the interests of working people.
Our longstanding commitment to the aspirations of working people in this country compels us to voice our strong opposition to consideration of any such resolution. Not only is the abortion issue extraneous to the interests of labor unions, but adoption of the position under consideration would alienate millions of union members who support the right to life. (As you may know, recent polls reveal that abortion on demand is a minority cause among union members.) Our focus must remain on protecting union workers; it should not be diverted by unrelated political goals.
Since this issue may be considered by the executive council in the near future, we would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience. We are concerned about the potentially divisive impact of such a resolution and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important matter with you in greater detail.
Sincerely,
Alan B. Mollohan (D., W. Va.)
John P. Murtha (D., Penn.)
Douglas Applegate (D., Ohio)
Austin J. Murphy (D., Penn.)
Joe Kolter (D., Penn.)
Harold L. Volkmer (D., Mo.)
Mary Rose Oakar (D., Ohio)
Brian J. Donnelly (D., Mass.)
Marilyn Lloyd (D., Tenn.)
Romano L. Mazzoli (D., Ky.)
Gerald D. Kleczka (D., Wisc.)
Paul E. Kanjorski (D., Penn.)
Nick Joe Rahall (D., W Va.)
Joseph M. Gaydos (D., Penn.)