The Nation - News from Jan. 25, 1989

AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland disclosed that he would run for a sixth term as leader of the 14.1-million-member federation at its convention this November. In recent weeks, there had been rumors he would step down. But at a press briefing at the federation’s Washington headquarters, Kirkland stated categorically that he would run again. Kirkland, 66, was first elected president in 1979. It is unlikely that Kirkland will face any significant opposition. During the meeting with reporters, Kirkland, a member of the deficit-fighting National Economic Commission, said the prospects of a unified report are doubtful. He said the panel was hobbled by a lack of commitment from President Bush and, to a lesser degree, from congressional leaders that the panel’s work would be seriously considered.