Raila understands the place of trade unions in our history
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga (left) chats with former Speaker Francis ole Kaparo during a campaign rally in Nanyuki town on July 27, 2022.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation Media Group
During this year’s American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisation (AFL-CIO) convention that took place in Philadelphia, President Joe Biden joined workers to celebrate the efforts that unions have put in over the years. Described as ‘the most pro-union President in American history’ by Richard Trumka, Biden said the nation was built by unions.
Trumka was the president of the 12.5-million-member AFL-CIO from 2009 until his death on August 5, 2021. Mr Biden received great support from the AFL-CIO. Trumka not only campaigned for him but also mobilised the millions of American workers to turn up and vote in his favour. As a consequence, Biden, over and above appointing a former unionist president Marty Walsh as the Secretary of Labour, openly supported AFL-CIO in championing for the enactment of the Pro Act that will see unionisation mainstreamed at many places of work.
