The Split Deepens In the Trade Unions

Schisms within the trade unions reflect the fragmentation of American politics. Sooner or later policy differences, personal ambitions, and personality antagonisms were bound to set George Meany and Walter Reuther on a collision course. Working within the framework of an AFL—CIO hierarchy dominated by Meany has been as frustrating to Reuther as life is for Bobbie Kennedy under the Johnson Administration.

The May convention of the UAW gave its leaders carte blanche to go it alone. By 1969, barring a completely unexpected turn of events, there will be three power centers in the trade unions. The UAW’s 1.6 million members will be bolstered by another 500,000 unonists almost immediately. The rubber workers, chemical workers, a...