Topic: Richard Trumka

Q&A with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

At a September 2 Monitor breakfast, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka discussed the economic outlook, his union members' feelings about President Obama, and his relations with the Sarah Palin.

Is Obama focused enough on the unemployment rate?

Both critics and supporters say Obama doesn't appear to voters to be paying enough heed to jobs and the unemployment rate. Some see the problem as his focus, others as his message.

Union leader Trumka's bleak view under a Republican-led House

Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president, predicts that Democrats will defy conventional wisdom and keep control of the Senate and House in November. But if Republicans take over even just the House, 'any chance of progress will be ended,' says the union leader.

AFL-CIO president to Sarah Palin: Change or be linked with McCarthyism

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka charged that if Republican political star Sarah Palin is not more careful in her choice of words, the political movement she has helped to create will be linked with 1950s McCarthyism.

What's in the financial reform compromise reached by House, Senate

House and Senate conferees crafted a final version of financial reform legislation Friday. Both houses are expected to vote on the bill next week.

How key Democrats voted on health care bill: Pelosi's scorecard

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had the formidable task of persuading 216 Democrats to vote for a Senate health care bill that many did not like. This is how she succeeded – and failed.

How to pay the bill is last major hurdle to healthcare reform

Organized labor pressed Congress and the White House to ease the 'Cadillac tax' on expensive healthcare insurance policies. This means other ways to pay for a healthcare reform bill will have to be considered – including hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, and Medicare.

Newest hurdle to how to pay for healthcare reform: unions

President Obama meets with union leaders Monday. Unions worry that the Senate healthcare reform bill's 'Cadillac tax' on expensive health-insurance policies could affect its members.

Top four differences of Senate and House healthcare reforms bills

The House and Senate will have a difficult time reconciling their healthcare reform bills on several key issues, including abortion funding and a public option, among others.

Labor chief: Public option 'essential' for healthcare reform

Labor targets young workers living at home, strapped for funds