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National Labor Federation

This article is about the alleged cult. For the CPUSA, see Communist Party USA.

National Labor Federation
AbbreviationNATLFED
FoundersGino Perente
Margaret Ribar
Founded1972 (1972)
IdeologyCommunism
LaRouchism
Community organizing
"Strata organizing"
Political positionSyncretic
Storefront of the Eastern Service Workers Association (ESWA), a NATLFED entity in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston in July 2007.

The National Labor Federation (NATLFED) is a network of community associations, called "entities", that claim to organize workers who are excluded from collective bargaining protections by U.S. labor law. NATLFED was founded by Gino Perente.[1]

NATLFED entities keep a very low profile, operating with little public attention. Journalists who have discussed NATLFED entities have praised their social work,[2][3][4][5] raised concerns about their lack of transparency,[6][7][8][9] and condemned the organization's exploitative treatment of volunteers.[10][11][12]

NATLFED's entities deny any political affiliation,[6][13] but many former participants and outside observers say NATLFED is a front for the Provisional Communist Party, a communist party also founded by Gino Perente.[14][10][15] Perente's party is officially named the Communist Party, United States of America (Provisional Wing) [CPUSA(PW)] and is also known as the Communist Party, United States of America (Provisional) [CPUSA(P)], Provisional Party, Provisional Party of Communists, Order of Lenin,[13] or simply the Formation. The CPUSA(PW) allegedly includes much of NATLFED's leadership.

The CPUSA(PW) is clandestine and has no party publications, conventions, or leadership elections. CPUSA(PW) members do not openly acknowledge its existence. Virtually all CPUSA(PW) members are full-time volunteers in NATLFED entities. Outside estimates cap membership at between 100 and 300 core members. CPUSA(PW) has virtually no identifiable offices or centers of operations.[1][7]

During Perente's lifetime he exercised full control over the party, communicating directly with members through long orations held at his office in Brooklyn, New York,[1] through audiotapes of those speeches sent to members running the various NATLFED entities,[1] and through rare printed manuals, such as Perente's 1973 mimeographed The Essential Organizer.[16]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Tourish was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Bryson, George (April 18, 2003). "Working It; Volunteers try to build an independent organization supporting low-paid employees". Anchorage Daily News (Anchorage, AK).
  3. ^ Curci, Mark A. (March 17, 2007). "Determined advocacy". Ashland Daily Tidings. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  4. ^ Bazar, Emily (August 26, 2004). "Migrant workers get refunds on rent charges". Sacramento Bee.
  5. ^ Melendez, Linda (November 24, 2003). "WFWA 'here to win, here to stay'". The Prospector (Yuba Community College). Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Moran, Kevin; Saldo, Carrie (January 10, 2003). "Past cult link dogs aid-for-poor group". North Adams Transcript.
  7. ^ a b Smith, Matt (December 9, 2009). "Charitable Front". SF Weekly. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  8. ^ Leskovic, Nate (Winter 2007–2008). "Uncovering the Eastern Service Workers Association". The Boston Underground. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  9. ^ Berliner, Uri (September 18, 1986). "Labor Group: Saga of a Cult". East Hampton Star.
  10. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Kifner was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Russakoff, Joe (June 26 – July 3, 1987). "Doorway to a Cult?". City Paper (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Archived from the original on December 5, 2003. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  12. ^ Solomon, Alisa (November 26, 1996). "Commie Fiends of Brooklyn". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on August 15, 2003. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Whitnack was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ "FBI file 10-486-889 on the National Labor Federation / NATLFED / Provisional Communist Party / Eastern Farm Workers Association / Eastern Service Workers Association, 1975-". Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  15. ^ Nickerson, Colin (March 1, 1984). "Boston Antipoverty Group Linked to a Radical Wing of Communists". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on February 21, 2003. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference Seeber1973 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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