Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 27, 1993 TAG: 9306250251
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: F-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
While labor is renewing efforts to push its agenda in Washington, where a Democrat once again is in the White House, it also is taking to the streets.
Business leaders, however, see labor's new militancy as more of a sign of deperation.
"They have got to do something quickly and loudly to regain momentum," said Peter Eide, a labor analyst with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "It behooves the labor movement to scream they have a new-found militance and will attempt to regain their losses."
After hitting their lowest level since World War II, the number of strikes is on the rise. But labor also is exploring new tactics: demonstrations, sit-ins and "corporate campaigns" that expose companies' secrets or try to tarnish their public image.
Recent examples of labor militancy:
The United Mine Workers union members strike against mine operators, in effect pitting them against one another to try to force a contract settlement.
Textile workers in five states staged a recent two-day strike against Fieldcrest Cannon that hurt their company financially but left no time for significant company retaliation.
Construction and auto unions have begun a campaign against BMW, which plans to build and staff an auto plant in Greer, S.C., largely with nonunion labor.
by CNB