Over the past 80 years unions have been great partners America’s success. All of us have unions to thank for the 5-day work week, the end of child labor practices, safe working conditions and many of the benefits that are enjoyed today by workers.

The organized labor movement is now at a crossroads. One path leads to being continually part of our great American story. The other path leads to being part of our fiscal problem.

Out of control spending on state and local government pensions and the rising cost of goods and services due to labor prices are putting the American dream out of the reach of everyday citizens.

What America doesn’t need from its labor movement is a strong arm; bullying workers and holding corporations, state and local governments hostage while trying to extract every dime and benefit they can, just to win the battle of the day.

America needs a strong labor movement.

The labor movement and organizers must be forward thinking. Winning a labor dispute today could mean becoming less competitive tomorrow.

Toward the end of its first existence GM became nothing more than a healthcare companies that made cars. We can’t let that happen again.

Corporations must play fair.

Elected officials must not trade our fiscal sustainability for a labor endorsement.

Labor must be part of the solution at all levels.