Obama nowhere on the picket line; labor unions revolt against Democrats

AFL-CIO Pres. Richard Trumpka: Unions seeking independence from Democratic Party

During labor’s struggle in my neighboring state of Wisconsin in opposition to Gov. Scott Walker’s all out effort to destroy public-employee unions, I knew better than to expect President Obama to show up.

The AP’s Sam Hanahel reminds us:

It didn't help that Obama declined union invitations to go to Wisconsin, where thousands of protesters mobilized against the anti-union measure. Candidate Obama had promised to "put on sneakers" and walk a picket line himself when union rights were threatened.

So it should not be surprising that unions are not falling into line behind Obama for 2012:

But at the same time, unions have begun shifting money and resources out of Democratic congressional campaigns and back to the states in a furious effort to reverse or limit GOP measures that could wipe out union rolls.

The AFL-CIO's president, Richard Trumka, says it's part of a new strategy for labor to build an independent voice separate from the Democratic Party.