You know we’re in strange economic times when the AFL-CIO takes the side of business.

We’re about to see that phenomenon unfold when union president Richard Trumpka visits the White House in December with his recommendations for reviving the economy and creating jobs.

At the top of Trumpka’s agenda: urging President Obama to dip into the $210 billion remaining in the Troubled Asset Relief Program and use the money for low-interest loans to small and medium-size business. Trumpka will offer his ideas at a conference consisting of business leaders, labor bosses and economists. He unveiled his TARP plan at a November speech at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington.

So why has Big Labor become the friend of the business community? Probably for at least two linked reasons:

• Smaller businesses employ about 80% of the workforce, so their revival is crucial to pushing unemployment to some level below 10%.
• The 2010 elections are looming, and Trumpka, like any other politically savvy leader, knows if unemployment stays high next year, the Democrats likely will take a beating at the polls. And fewer Democrats equal less support for labor.

Whatever the reason, there’s a chance President Obama will listen and consider loosening credit for smaller companies.