As the reform coalition lays out its hopes for the future of labor, UNITE-HERE President John Wilhelm spoke with the Workers Independent News on why his union has endorsed the plan. He feels proposals laid out by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney cater to the status quo:

[John Wilhelm1]: His proposals adopt the rhetoric of change, but not the substance. So we thought it important to further the debate going on in the labor movement.

The coalition calls for more money being devoted to organizing. When compared with Sweeney's proposal, Wilhelm says it amount to roughly $75 million more dollars.

[Wilhelm2]: We don't see how worker power could be regenerated in this country if there is not far more focus on organizing.

Wilhelm says the coalition has yet to decide if they will run someone against Sweeney in the July AFL-CIO election:

[Wilhelm3]: If it turns out that unions representing a majority of AFL-CIO union members are content with the status quo, then there would really be no need for new union leadership.

He adds that the debate about the future of labor is the most important part of introducing the new proposals.

[Wilhelm4]: We think it's a great debate. We think it's long over due. I've been in the union for 35 years and there's never been a debate of this vigor about where we're going and we think that's terrific.

NOTE: WIN sought a response from AFL-CIO officials but there was no reply by the deadline for this newscast.