THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL-BULLETIN
Coia sticks with Sweeney
By JOHN E. MULLIGAN
Journal-Bulletin Washington Bureau
Arthur A. Coia, general president of the Laborers International
Union of North America, ended his wavering over the leadership of the labor movement
yesterday, casting the votes of his 750,000-member union for AFL-CIO presidential
candidate John J. Sweeney, the eventual winner.
Coia said Sweeney's leadership slate is better able than that of
the incumbent, Thomas R. Donahue, "to address the change" that the union
movement needs.
Coia, a Providence native, was among the first national union
leaders to declare his support for Sweeney, whose leadership of a breakaway group prompted
longtime AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland's retirement last summer.
In recent weeks there had been speculation that
Coia would be involved in a shift of votes to Donahue, Kirkland's longtime lieutenant and
successor.
On Monday, Coia confirmed that he was indeed contemplating a
switch - just hours after having signed a "loyalty" letter reaffirming
allegiance to Sweeney. Coia said he was considering an offer from the Donahue camp to take
a top slot in a Donahue administration, in return for his support.
Coia indicated Tuesday, however, that he had decided to stick with
Sweeney and he did so during yesterday's roll call.
Sweeney representatives have not commented on
Coia's public flirtation with the other side. But Coia said yesterday that he has spoken
to Sweeney, who is "thankful and grateful that I maintained my position."
Coia said Sweeney gave him no inducements to remain in his camp.
Coia, who had voiced concern that a switch would erode his
credibility in union circles, was asked whether he thought his
credibility had suffered from his willingness to entertain the possibility of switching.
"I don't think that," he said.
"Sometimes a perception is ultimately not as important as the actuality. It's action
rather than words that counts." KEYWORDS: picture biography Coia Sweeney labor ~ W
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