Labor Plans Active 1998 Political Role

Setting labor’s agenda for 1998, the AFL-CIO executive council wrapped up a two-day meeting Friday with plans to urge Congress to broaden health care coverage, increase the minimum wage and strengthen retirement security.

The labor federation also intends to play an aggressive role in the November elections, but first must fight initiatives in several states that would limit political spending by unions. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said those initiatives were an attempt to silence workers’ voices.