During the 1960s, labor had the opportunity to join with the Civil Rights movement in fulfilling core goals such as the prevention of labor exploitation. Instead, the political turmoil of the 1960s left labor without strong enough leadership. Moreover, "unlike European union movements, American organized labor has avoided the formation of a political party and has remained within the framework of the two-party system," ("The Labor Union"). This may indeed be the most significant factor preventing productive labor union organization: the lack of interest in a labor-based political party. The Democratic Party usually champions labor...

To increase their chances for future success, unions need to do the following: reach out to minorities and women; reach out to workers in skilled as well as unskilled labor; and also link with other political initiatives to have a greater impact on the Democratic Party.
References

"The Labor Union." History.com. Retrieved 10 Feb 2010 from http://www.history.com/content/laborday/labor-history/the-labor-union

Silverman, J. (nd). How labor unions work. How Stuff Works. Retrieved 10 Feb 2010 from http://money.howstuffworks.com/labor-union.htm