The WSJ on Andy Stern

The Wall Street Journal's Matthew Kaminski has an article on the SEIU's Andy Stern. Much of the basic descriptions of the iconoclastic Stern will be familiar to many readers.  However, Kaminski has some interesting quotes by Stern on the new political landscape:

"We just won an election. It's no secret." By "we," Andy Stern means "American workers." He also means Big Labor. Speaking on behalf of the fastest growing trade group in America, the Service Employees International Union -- and as one of labor's most powerful figures today -- Mr. Stern sets this simple bar for the Obama presidency: "I expect nothing less than what he said he was going to do, and we should hold him accountable." . . .

All the political signs are favorable for a "universal," government-run health-care system. Mr. Stern hails the appointment of Tom Daschle to lead the push from the Department of Health and Human Services, and he considers Montana Sen. Max Baucus's reform plan a big step in the right direction. Unlike the last time it came up in 1993, Mr. Stern says, "it's hard to find an outspoken voice against comprehensive reform." Mr. Obama takes office at "an unusual Washington moment" when business, labor and the politicians "see common ground" on the president's headline initiatives, health care above all. . . .

Another hot topic in the Democratic primaries was trade. Having backed trade liberalization in the 1950s, the unions today lead the charge to close borders. Mr. Stern plays down the opposition, saying the important trade deals have already been struck and ratified. The Korea, Panama and Colombia trade pacts now before Congress have little "economic impact." Though he won't endorse them, when I ask about a possible political trade-off, his eyes beam. "If they want to attach employee free choice to the Colombia free trade deal, I think we can work something out," he says, smiling again.

The current Washington preoccupation is the transition. Along with "200,000 others," the SEIU put forward a wish list for cabinet jobs as well as the alphabet soup of regulatory agencies. Aside from Mr. Daschle, the SEIU has close ties to Obama political director Patrick Gaspard and Mr. Stern "loves" Bill Richardson at Commerce. Mr. Stern wants an "an updating of our regulatory framework" at the National Labor Relations Board and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to better "enforce its laws." That kind of talk fast gets the business community's hackles up.

Universal health care, widespread unionization, stronger regulations on business, profit-sharing for employees, higher taxes -- all that sounds like Western Europe. Mr. Stern considers that a worthy model. "I think Western Europe as much as we used to make fun of it has made different trade-offs which may have ended up with a little more unemployment but a lot more equality."

See the full article for all of Stern's thoughts, including his position on how EFCA should be negotiated (hint:  he's not much into compromise).

Hat Tip:  Dennis Walsh

-JH