tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35917632789700115552024-03-13T06:57:45.363-04:00LaborUnionReport.comThe Most Comprehensive Source for News & Views on Today's Labor Unions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger571125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-63782346217007278292010-07-01T23:34:00.003-04:002010-07-01T23:44:34.706-04:00Checkout the New LaborUnionReport.com<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/"><img border="0" height="72" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/TC1d16hFWkI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/mdG2Y2NSsAY/s400/LUR+Web+Logo+1_0.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Just a reminder:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">All blog posts (as well as news)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">are on </span><a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">LaborUnionReport.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">__________________ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776</div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-25248067022010934522010-06-28T18:36:00.000-04:002010-06-28T18:36:03.514-04:00ATTENTION: LABORUNIONREPORT.COM READERS....<a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LABORUNIONREPORT.COM</a> is pleased to report that our new website (and blog) is operations.<br />
<br />
We will NO LONGER be posting on this site.<br />
<br />
Please go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LABORUNIONREPORT.COM</a> for all our latest news & views.<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-21637204532642919082010-06-26T12:24:00.001-04:002010-06-26T12:25:02.860-04:00AFSCME official admits embezzling $180,000 intended for ACORN affiliate<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="121" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/S7IJKajHvyI/AAAAAAAAAnk/f8i00spIm68/s1600/ACORN+rotten.jpg" width="128" /></div>It's been said that there is no honor among thieves...<br />
<br />
An AFSCME official stole $180,000. Big news? Not really. Union corruption in the form of union bosses stealing from their members happens <a href="http://www.dol.gov/olms/regs/compliance/enforce_2010.htm">all the time</a>. What is surprising is when union bosses steal from <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/97182879.html">one of their own</a>.<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
<blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A former union official from Milwaukee has agreed to plead guilty to embezzling about $180,000 of union funds</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, according to federal court records.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Paula Dorsey, </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">former president of District Council 48 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, withdrew the money from an account between 2004 and 2009 to finance her gambling habit</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, said Mel Johnson, an assistant U.S. attorney. Dorsey faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release, in addition to repayment of the estimated amount stolen.</span></span></div><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The money was intended to fund Operation Big Vote,</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> a national initiative to increase minority voter turnout.</span></span></blockquote><br />
More <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/97182879.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
So what is <strong>Operation Big Vote?</strong> Well, it appears to be one of the nuts from the <a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-acorn-voter-fraud/">fallen ACORN tree</a>...<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
<blockquote><div style="line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">This year alone </span></span><a href="http://www.acorn.org/" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="http://www.acorn.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">ACORN</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> has registered 1,315,037 voters.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Although the organization prides itself for its registration efforts, it also has a long history of scandal. In the state of Missouri in 1986, </span></span><a href="http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/politics.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-11-0098.html" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/politics.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-11-0098.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">12 ACORN members</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> were convicted of voter fraud. But that case was not an isolated incident in the state. In December 2004, in St. Louis, six volunteers pleaded guilty of dozens of election law violations for filling out registration cards with names of dead people and other bogus information. Authorities launched an earlier investigation after noticing that among the new voters was longtime St. Louis alderman Albert “Red” Villa, who died in 1990. </span></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The volunteers worked for “Operation Big Vote” — a branch of ACORN — in St. Louis.</span></span></strong></div></blockquote><div style="color: black; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Like we said...</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">no honor among thieves.</span></em></div><div style="color: black; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">__________________</span></span></em></div><div style="color: black; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="color: black; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Cross-posted on </span><a href="http://www.redstate.com/laborunionreport/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">RedState</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div><div style="color: black; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For more news and views on today’s unions, go to </span><a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/" style="color: #003366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">LaborUnionReport.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></em></div><br />
<em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt" style="color: #003366;"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" style="border-bottom-color: #c0c0c0; border-left-color: #dddddd; border-right-color: #c0c0c0; border-top-color: #dddddd; border: 1px solid initial; padding: 6px;" /></a></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-30909590714285874892010-06-26T02:43:00.001-04:002010-06-26T02:43:37.533-04:00UPDATED: Machinists stick themselves with rejected contract, lack votes to strike...On Friday...<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Machinists union members at Spirit AeroSystems are voting today on whether to accept the company's 10-year contract offer.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Of close to 20 Machinists interviewed this morning, most said they were voting to strike.</span></blockquote><br />
Read more <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/25/2045142/spirit-machinists-voting-im-ready.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong>UPDATE: 2:36 AM, Saturday...</strong><br />
<br />
Machinists' union <a href="http://www.kansas.com/2010/06/25/1377953/machinists-reject-spirit-contract.html">rules stick members with rejected contract</a>...<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Machinists union members at Spirit AeroSystems rejected the company's offer of a 10-year contract on Friday, but lacked the votes required for a strike.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">As a result, members ratified the contract by default.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Of those voting, 57 percent rejected the contract. Fifty-eight percent voted to strike, falling short of the two-thirds required for a work stoppage.</span></blockquote>Read more <a href="http://www.kansas.com/2010/06/25/1377953/machinists-reject-spirit-contract.html#ixzz0rwFgQ4Uc">here</a>.<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-87213101974456870332010-06-25T15:53:00.002-04:002010-06-25T15:54:37.699-04:00BFF: Obama, Blago & SEIU's Stern<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright" height="139" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/SyVFyX7L01I/AAAAAAAAAZU/_Nk-FuS4EvQ/s200/Blago+Bama.jpg" width="160" /></div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</div>What do you do if you're up to your eyeballs in snot and someone throws a turd at your head? In Andy Sterns' case, he quits the SEIU and becomes a corporate dude. This may be <a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/blago/2010/06/blagojevich_witness_two_agents_1.html">why</a>:<br />
<blockquote><big id="AutoGeneratedID-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">J</span></big><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">ohn Harris relays a meeting on Nov. 3, 2008 with himself, two union leaders -- Andy Stern and Tom Balanoff -- and the governor.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
In a previous call played to jurors, Harris testified he and Blagojevich understood the two were approaching him on behalf of Obama's camp.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The meeting happened one day before the presidential election and the talk was about the senate seat vacancy the major campaign donors expected would happen the next day.</span></blockquote><br />
Reproach? Nah. They're above it.<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-8198289874711629672010-06-25T10:27:00.001-04:002010-06-25T10:28:08.879-04:00Teamsters let man's home flood over non-union craneThey'd rather let a man's home flood <a href="http://www.post-trib.com/news/2430792,new-teamsters0625.article">than let a non-union operator</a> on to a piece of equipment?<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Witnesses said pickets at scene, however, prevented the Gatlin employees from using the crane, saying that only union operators were allowed to run them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">"They gathered around and wouldn't let the guys get to the equipment," said Diane Brzycki, who lives across the street from Milton. "They just stood there in the middle of the road."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">A spokesman for Gatlin acknowledged there was a "dispute" Thursday morning but that the company and the union workers settled it. But whatever they agreed upon did not help Milton, whose property to the north of his just-completed house was still under standing water Thursday afternoon.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">"They don't give a hoot about what happens to my house; they weren't even going to turn on the pumps," Milton said. "Gatlin came to turn them on, but the Teamsters said no, not without union operators.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">"I'm a union person myself, but I wouldn't allow someone's house to get flooded."</span><br />
<br />
More <a href="http://www.post-trib.com/news/2430792,new-teamsters0625.article">here</a>.</blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>[Ed. note: May their pickets leave splinters in their hands that get infected and fester.]</i></span><br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-28699680230360704412010-06-24T16:20:00.004-04:002010-06-25T01:34:59.130-04:00UPDATED! Dastardly union dealmakers dealt out of Dems’ disgusting DISCLOSE ActIt must pay to have friends in <s>low</s> high places because less than a week after the National Rifle Association sold out Americans' First Amendment rights for <a href="http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/06/14/yet-again-the-nra-sells-out-to-democrats/">its own special deal</a>, union bosses have had their <a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38975.html">Democratic sock puppets exempt unions</a> from the DISCLOSE Act as well.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" src="http://images.sodahead.com/polls/000919327/obama_pelosi_reid_xlarge.jpeg" /></div><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">A Democratic amendment tucked into campaign finance legislation Wednesday night </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">appears to exempt big labor unions from proposed disclosure requirements.</span></strong><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The change, inserted by Rep. Bob Brady (D-Pa.), </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">chairman of the committee charged with handling the bill and a key union ally,</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> would also affect other groups funded by members who pay dues of less than $50,000. While the move may satiate liberal Democrats who had </span><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38713.html" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">become uneasy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> with an exemption for the National Rifle Association, a union loophole will certainly cause Big Business to cry foul.</span></blockquote><br />
[Update] From the <a href="http://www.workerfreedom.org/disclose-act-exempts-unions-central-disclosure-a3813">Alliance for Worker Freedom</a>:<br />
<div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The DISCLOSE Act marks a stark departure from the traditional treatment of corporations and unions by applying punitive measures to associations in the corporate form, but not to labor unions, even though these groups have traditionally been treated similarly in campaign finance law:</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Companies that received federal money during the financial crisis face restrictions on speech, but not unions: General Motors cannot engage in express advocacy, urging voters to support a candidate by name, while the United Auto Workers union can </span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Corporations, unions, non-profits and 527 groups will be required to report donors who give more than $600 if they engage in express advocacy, -- average union dues, the source of the majority of their funds, in 2004 were $377 </span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Businesses with government contracts worth more than $7 million are not allowed to engage in express advocacy while public sector unions that receive their dues from the taxpayers are exempt from such restrictions </span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Companies where a foreign entity owns 20 percent or more of a company’s shares are not allowed to engage in express advocacy while international unions are free to tell Americans how to vote</span></li>
</ul></blockquote><br />
With Democrats throwing the Constitution out to special interests with the highest bid (or the best back-room talents), it is no wonder hard-working Americans no longer have faith in their government.<br />
<br />
<i>If special interests were lollipops, Democrats would be lining up to see who could suck the hardest.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
__________________ <br />
<br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-9716419801506291582010-06-24T11:36:00.001-04:002010-06-24T11:37:10.726-04:00Obama's Oil Spill: Just get out of the way...Yeah, British Petroleum may have caused the gusher, but <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1265217759">President Obama and his union-controlled federal bureaucracies now </a><i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1265217759">own</a></i><a href="http://www.whnt.com/news/whnt-governor-alabama-update-062310,0,2748014.story"> the disaster</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/TCN4yK7e_HI/AAAAAAAAAvI/zpJit2ajboc/s1600/red+tape+hand%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/TCN4yK7e_HI/AAAAAAAAAvI/zpJit2ajboc/s200/red+tape+hand%5B1%5D.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Governor Riley was in Huntsville Wednesday afternoon updating leaders on the state of our state... namely how we're dealing with the oil spill.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">He said he believes <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Alabama leaders could have stopped the oil from lapping onto our shores, if only they had the tools from the start.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">"Can we protect our shores?"</span> Governor Riley asked. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">"Sure you can, but you can't do it with the situation that you have down there today."</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Riley says there are about 20 federal agencies that have veto power</span>, and they all have their hand in the decisions to clean up the spill; that creates gridlock, so nothing gets done.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">"If this is going to affect a turtle, you can't do it. If this is going to affect a person's ability to work in hot conditions, you can't do it,"</span> Riley mimicked the agency officials.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The Governor says there was a boom in Alabama that would have protected the 25 miles of coastline from the oil, but he says government leaders moved it to Louisiana, saying that state needed it worse. Then, the plan was to put up a snare boom across the beach.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">"Sounded like a plan to me until Fish and Wildlife said, 'Nope. You can't do that because it'll catch turtles in the net,'"</span> said Riley.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">So, then the plan changed, and 400 workers would be hired to clean the beach.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">"Sounded great right up until OSHA said, 'Nope. It's too hot for 'em to work.' </span>So, now they're limited to working no more than 20 minutes out of the hour or a maximum of two hours a day," said Riley.</span></blockquote><br />
What is perhaps the world's worst environmental disaster in history can now be laid squarely at this President's feet. He may not have started it, but his government has helped spread it.<br />
<br />
<i>Mr. President, please get your bureaucracy out of the way and let real men and women clean up the mess you helped create.</i><br />
<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-10315691912244107312010-06-24T10:39:00.000-04:002010-06-24T10:39:02.038-04:00Machinists Postpone Boeing Strike...for nowIt looks like <a href="http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-boeing-strike-postponed-062310,0,388758.story">Sunday</a>...<br />
<br />
<embed type='application/x-shockwave-flash' salign='l' flashvars='&titleAvailable=true&playerAvailable=true&searchAvailable=false&shareFlag=N&singleURL=http://ktvi.vidcms.trb.com/alfresco/service/edge/content/40d8d2c1-7c44-4274-8d1a-68d3fa17f036&propName=ktvi.com&hostURL=http://www.fox2now.com&swfPath=http://ktvi.vid.trb.com/player/&omAccount=triblocaltvglobal&omnitureServer=fox2now.com' allowscriptaccess='always' allowfullscreen='true' menu='true' name='PaperVideoTest' bgcolor='#ffffff' devicefont='false' wmode='transparent' scale='showall' loop='true' play='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' src='http://ktvi.vid.trb.com/player/PaperVideoTest.swf' align='middle' height='450' width='450'></embed><br />
<br />
_________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-70999623903033963162010-06-23T12:07:00.000-04:002010-06-23T12:07:36.933-04:00CEOs explain why economy still sucks...Okay, that's not their politically-correct terminology, but it <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/business-leaders-still-cautious-about-economy-2010-06-23">should be</a>...<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Despite a slightly more upbeat report, Business Roundtable Chairman Ivan Seidenberg said chief executives still have plenty of angst. They are not sure if the economy will continue to build momentum and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">are concerned about new congressional proposals to increase taxes and regulations on business</span>, he said.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">"There's a lot of caution on the part of CEOs," Seidenberg said after the report was issued Wednesday. "We are not expanding as fast as we expected to at this stage of the recovery."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">The day before the report, Seidenberg warned of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">a "growing disconnect" between business and government that he said are preventing the economy from growing faster and creating more jobs</span>.</span></blockquote><br />
Now, wait for the job killers on the Left to complain...<br />
<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-31199056063569027442010-06-23T00:43:00.001-04:002010-06-23T00:43:24.817-04:00Is Obama About to Grant Amnesty By Executive Order?Rumors are rumors. Then again...<br />
<br />
Apparently, <em><strong>this</strong></em> rumor is serious enough that Senators Grassley, Hatch (R-Utah), Vitter (R-La.), Bunning (R-Ky.), Chambliss (R-Ga.), Isakson (R-Ga.), Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Cochran (R-Miss.) sent President Obama a letter.<br />
<br />
According to <a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/june-21-2010/senators-challenge-pres-obama-rumors-executive-order-amnesty.html">Numbers USA</a>...<br />
<blockquote><strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Several Senators have learned of a possible plan by the Obama Administration that would provide a mass Amnesty for the nation's 11-18 million illegal aliens</span></em></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">. Led by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">eight Senators addressed a letter to the President asking for answers to questions about a plan that would allow DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to provide an amnesty if they can't secure enough votes for a bill in the Senate.</span></strong></blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/33438757/Senate-Letter-to-Obama-on-Amnesty" title="View Senate Letter to Obama on Amnesty on Scribd">Senate Letter to Obama on Amnesty</a><br />
<br />
<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" height="500" width="100%"><param name="id" value="doc_9904" /><param name="name" value="doc_9904" /><param name="wmode" value="opaque" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=33438757&access_key=key-2jr6nhnkog4h0gnp9uzv&page=1&viewMode=list" /><param name="src" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" /><embed id="doc_9904" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%" height="500" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" flashvars="document_id=33438757&access_key=key-2jr6nhnkog4h0gnp9uzv&page=1&viewMode=list" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#ffffff" wmode="opaque" name="doc_9904"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Ah, just in time for the mid-term elections.<br />
<br />
__________________<br />
<br />
<em>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</em> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.laborunionreport.blogspot.com/">Cross-posted</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-11698264345973219282010-06-22T15:16:00.002-04:002010-06-22T15:19:41.189-04:00NLRB Update: Everyone But Becker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Senate confirms Pearce and Hayes, sidelines SEIU's Becker.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/S8pnrP3hs-I/AAAAAAAAAok/XBrqN-fpZsI/s1600/NLRB+Logo" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/S8pnrP3hs-I/AAAAAAAAAok/XBrqN-fpZsI/s200/NLRB+Logo" width="200" /></a></div><br />
According to <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-22/labor-board-full-for-first-time-since-07-as-u-s-senate-confirms-nominees.html">Bloomberg</a>...<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">The National Labor Relations Board reached its full five-member size for the first time since December 2007 after the U.S. Senate confirmed two of President Barack Obama’s nominees.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Brian Hayes, a Republican Senate aide, was confirmed by the Senate as it approved a package of almost 70 of Obama’s stalled nominees. The Senate also confirmed Mark Pearce, a Democrat Obama appointed to the board in March, for a full term.</span></span></blockquote><br />
<br />
However, the one person the Senate appears to have overlooked? The SEIU's Craig "<a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/06/seius-becker-wrongly-splits-hairs-on.html">Refuse to Recuse</a>" Becker.<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Becker, opposed by Republicans and business groups for his ties to labor unions, wasn’t confirmed by the Senate today. That means he will serve on the board only until the end of 2011, less than the full five-year term.</span></blockquote><div><br />
</div><div>With Andy Stern opting to reside in Corporate America now, it appears the SEIU may not have as much sway as it did just a few short months ago.<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-22333898344733955822010-06-22T08:21:00.001-04:002010-06-22T08:25:53.796-04:00More on former SEIU boss Andy Stern's golden parachute...We <a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/06/seius-andy-stern-gets-new-job-as.html">posted</a> on former SEIU boss Andy Stern's joining a corporate board of directors yesterday.<br />
<br />
Now, <a href="http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=8244">Beyond Chron</a> opines...<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Not bad enough to cause painful damage to workers who are still paying for his fat compensation package, and too many others who took risks and made sacrifices only to see their organizing or contract campaigns damaged or smashed entirely.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">All the while, he’s building his own golden parachute from the burning wreckage he left, polishing up his WH insider portfolio — and then peddling his ass to fat cats and high hats everywhere who must enjoy having a pet labor leader who does tricks upon command — all for the same bastards who are actively destroying the American dream for the working stiffs and huddled masses this punk once claimed to speak for.</span></blockquote><br />
For some reason, Andy's switch from union boss to corporate insider isn't sitting too well.<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-26678195835560708172010-06-21T20:22:00.001-04:002010-06-22T12:30:02.713-04:00The Union Protection Racket: Union members need protection...from union bosses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/images/175_thug_stealing_money_wall_lg_clr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/images/175_thug_stealing_money_wall_lg_clr.gif" /></a></div>Remember that piece we posted the other day about <a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/06/400-lb-union-boss-cops-to-blowing.html">the 400lb union boss who stole $300k to blow on hookers and gambling</a>?<br />
<br />
Well, the New York Post had a <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/union_label_suckers_evAZuOL6p0T82LmFgjHNOI">great piece</a> on Saturday that started with this:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Remember why unions were formed in the first place -- to protect workers from being taken advantage of?<br />
<br />
Nowadays, the rank-and-file mostly need protection from their own leadership.</span></blockquote><br />
The Post article goes on to give a few examples of other corrupt union bosses but it is really only touching the tip of the iceberg. <b><i>The rest of the iceberg is </i></b><a href="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/unionindictments.html"><b><i>here</i></b></a><b><i>.</i></b><br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-70467239037515526632010-06-21T11:12:00.000-04:002010-06-21T11:12:21.406-04:00SEIU's Andy Stern gets a new job as a corporate insider...Maybe Andy's sudden resignation from the Service Employees International Union <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/andy-stern-joins-sigas-board-of-directors-2010-06-21?reflink=MW_news_stmp">wasn't so sudden after all?</a>...<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">SIGA Technologies, Inc. (SIGA 6.76, -0.04, -0.59%) , </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">a company specializing in the development of pharmaceutical agents to combat bio-warfare pathogens, announced today that Andy Stern, labor leader and prominent advocate for reform, joined SIGA's board of directors. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Mr. Stern is the former president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in North America.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">[snip]</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">"Andy is a strong leader and a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">great addition to our Board of Directors</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">. His insight, experience, and leadership, particularly his understanding of how our federal government works, will complement the skill sets of our existing board members," said Dr. Eric Rose, SIGA's Chief Executive Officer.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Mr. Stern has been cited in numerous publications as being one of the most influential leaders on healthcare and a frequent White House visitor. In 2010, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">Stern was named a Presidential appointee to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.</span></span></blockquote><br />
Though it does appear, having <a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/02/as-long-as-obama-does-seius-bidding-he.html">the dude who holds the keys</a> to the White House <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/205875-is-siga-still-worth-the-wait?source=feed">may benefit SIGA rather nicely:</a><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Shares of SIGA Technologies have approached the eight dollar level of late, rebounding nicely from the low of under five dollars about six months ago. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The SIGA stock reached a high of over ten bucks last December in anticipation of a possible awarding of a BARDA contract for the ST-246 smallpox vaccine.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> The contract did not pan out at the time, although some modifications to the application process in the interest of creating competition were announced around that time.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">A $2.8 million contract was awarded to Siga by the Department of Defense in early March</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">, although this one was for ST-669, a broad-spectrum anti-viral. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">That's nothing in comparison to the big BARDA contract that investors of the company are waiting for,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> but it does have the potential to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">rake in up to ten million dollars for SIGA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> when it's all said and done.</span></blockquote><br />
Then, too it helps that SIGA's Eric Rose was appears to have been <a href="http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/eric-rose.asp?cycle=08">an Obama donor</a> and that <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20100512-909463.html">SIGA seems to be doing well sucking off of the government teat</a>.<br />
<br />
Welcome to your new home, Andy. We're sure we'll be paying for your avarice somehow.<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-47437282338369555072010-06-19T17:05:00.001-04:002010-06-19T17:05:43.016-04:00Union v. Union: IBEW calls out Cannibalistic Carpenters in St. Louis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.local57facts.com/images/stories/no57overlay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.local57facts.com/images/stories/no57overlay.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>Sometimes, cannibals get into fights <a href="http://ibewlu363.blogspot.com/2010/06/ibew-exposes-carpenters-rouge.html">over the same piece of meat</a>.<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is launching a sweeping campaign to convince St. Louis Carpenters Local 57 to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">stop performing electrical work that undercuts union standards of quality, safety and wages</span>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Billboards have been mounted in several locations, and the message can be seen and heard in radio and print ads this week. A unity rally June 15 drew more than 1,000 members from several craft unions to hear national leaders of the IBEW and other trades.</span></blockquote><br />
<br />
<object height="300" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tz1Wu-6cL_o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Tz1Wu-6cL_o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="300"></embed></object><br />
<br />
We <a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/04/union-wars-carpenters-covet-ibews-work.html">posted</a> on this fight back in April.<br />
<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-60831870356924600342010-06-17T23:19:00.004-04:002010-06-17T23:22:48.294-04:00400 lb. union boss cops to blowing $300,000 on hookers and gamblingCourtesy of the New York Daily News comes <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/06/16/2010-06-16_export_authority_union_president_daniel_hughes_pleads_guilty_to_stealing_union_f.html">this gross little story of union corruption</a>:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">A roly-poly ripoff artist with a taste for hookers and gambling pleaded guilty Wednesday to squandering nearly $300,000 in looted union funds.<br />
<br />
[snip]<br />
<br />
The 400-pound married father of a young son cavorted with prostitutes in Manhattan, the Bronx and a notorious Queens motel offering specially themed rooms and short-stay rates.<br />
<br />
"They were $400 to $500 [per date]," Port Authority Deputy Inspector General Michael Nestor told the Daily News about the union-subsidized trysts.</span></blockquote><br />
If you have the stomach for it, there's more <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/06/16/2010-06-16_export_authority_union_president_daniel_hughes_pleads_guilty_to_stealing_union_f.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>[Editor's note: We opted not to include pictures.]</i><br />
<i></i>__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-84927216812734546612010-06-17T22:47:00.001-04:002010-06-17T22:48:57.110-04:00NLRB's two-member rulings illegal, says SCOTUSThis is <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/17/AR2010061705685.html?hpid=topnews">all you really need to know</a>...<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Hundreds of recent federal rulings in disputes between unions and employers could be reopened after the Supreme Court said on Thursday that it was illegal for the National Labor Relations Board to decide the cases with only two sitting members.</span></blockquote><br />
<br />
But for those of you that like to read the weighter legal stuff, here's the <a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1457.pdf">SCOTUS decision (in PDF)</a>.<br />
<br />
Of course, the AFL-CIO front group <a href="http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/">American Rights at Work</a> is playing the blame game, as usual.<br />
<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-71039598552722927142010-06-17T22:33:00.000-04:002010-06-17T22:33:36.201-04:00SHOCK! The Teamsters lied to us, say striking drivers...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sQPBRF0DJjQ/Si8FvSns_sI/AAAAAAAAABs/ZgjCVYCyMAc/s1600/Pocket+Guide+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sQPBRF0DJjQ/Si8FvSns_sI/AAAAAAAAABs/ZgjCVYCyMAc/s200/Pocket+Guide+Poster.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>Ripped <a href="http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_87c9cdcc-4d6b-594f-b4d0-f125734af009.html">from the headlines</a>:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Teamsters members growing wary of strike<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">SOME UNION TRUCK DRIVERS SAY THEY WERE MISLED ABOUT CONTRACT<br />
<br />
Several members of a Gary-based union have contacted The Times in recent days over concerns that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">the terms of a labor agreement proposed by employers was misrepresented, and they question why they are on strike</span>.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"> More than 300 truck drivers with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 142 went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday against 28 contractors after voting down a proposed new two-year contract</span>. In a move of solidarity, union members declined to cross picket lines of certain contractors after Portage-based Ironworkers Local 395 went on strike June 1.<br />
<br />
[snip]<br />
<br />
One union driver, who declined to be identified fearing retaliation, said a strike vote was taken as early as March 21 at a union meeting. He said Teamsters Local 142 President Mitch Sawochka told members a group of highway contractors was trying to break up the union by separating the people doing highway work from people who work at steel mills and refineries. He said he also was baffled about why a vote was being taken because the contract didn't expire until two months later and that likely a final proposal hadn't been presented to the union.<br />
<br />
"He told us they were out to screw us," the driver said. "I don't think he went into negotiations with good faith as these people were led to believe."</span></span> </span></span></blockquote><div><br />
</div><div>Unfortunately, last year, the National Labor Relations Board decided that <a href="http://1-888-no-union.blogspot.com/2009/06/unions-are-legally-allowed-to-lie-to.html">it's okay for unions to lie to their members</a> and it's not likely, with unions now controlling the NLRB, the Board will reverse its position any time soon.</div><div><br />
__________________<br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-15729319402173415992010-06-17T00:14:00.002-04:002010-06-17T01:10:07.209-04:00Union-Backed Democrat Urges an End to Right to Work StatesElections have consequences.<br />
<br />
In 28 states across the U.S., unionized workers can be forced to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. If workers refuse to pay the union, the union can order them to be fired from their jobs.<br />
<br />
However, since 1947, the so-called Taft-Hartley Amendments to the National Labor Relations Act (passed over Pres. Harry Truman's veto) enabled state legislatures to enact "Right-to-Work" laws which outlaw forced unionism.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/images/600_RIGHT_TO_WORK_STATES.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/images/600_RIGHT_TO_WORK_STATES.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It's not the first time he's pushed it. In 2008, he actually <a href="http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h6477ih.txt.pdf">introduced a bill</a> that went nowhere. However, this time union-<s>bought</s> backed Democrat Congressman Brad Sherman's effort to end Right-to-Work laws must be take a little more seriously. <br />
<br />
On Monday, Rep. Sherman sent a letter to colleagues encouraging them to join his efforts to force workers to pay union dues by ending Right-to-Work laws.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/33153838/BradShermanRTW" style="display: inline !important; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 12px; text-decoration: underline;" title="View BradShermanRTW on Scribd">BradShermanRTW</a><br />
<object data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" height="400" id="doc_93730" name="doc_93730" style="outline: none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=33153838&access_key=key-2gljpedchc0do9bzy2vd&page=1&viewMode=list"><embed id="doc_93730" name="doc_93730" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=33153838&access_key=key-2gljpedchc0do9bzy2vd&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="400" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object><br />
<br />
With nearly $700,000 <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00006897&type=C">pumped into his campaign coffers</a> over his career by Big Labor (12 out of his top 20 contributors are unions), there's little wonder why the California Congressman would want to reward his backers. After all, California, (with all its fiscal issues) owes a lot to its unions. <br />
<br />
Note: California is <i>not a right to work state <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">but its neighbors Arizona and Nevada are</span></i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table class="sortable" id="topContrib" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #e0e6ec; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(95, 95, 95); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: rgb(95, 95, 95); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(95, 95, 95); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(95, 95, 95); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><thead>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><th style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #999999; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: center;"><a class="sortheader" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00006897&type=C#" style="background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: white; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: none;">Contributor<span class="sortarrow"> <img alt="↓" src="http://images.opensecrets.org/arrownone.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" /></span></a></th><th style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #999999; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: center;"><a class="sortheader" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00006897&type=C#" style="background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: white; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: none;">Total<span class="sortarrow"> <img alt="↓" src="http://images.opensecrets.org/arrownone.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" /></span></a></th><th style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #999999; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: center;"><a class="sortheader" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00006897&type=C#" style="background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: white; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: none;">Indivs<span class="sortarrow"> <img alt="↓" src="http://images.opensecrets.org/arrownone.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" /></span></a></th><th style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #999999; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: white; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: center;"><a class="sortheader" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00006897&type=C#" style="background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: white; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: none;">PACs<span class="sortarrow"> <img alt="↓" src="http://images.opensecrets.org/arrownone.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" /></span></a></th></tr>
</thead><tbody>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$75,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$75,000</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">American Assn for Justice</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$73,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$73,000</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Credit Union National Assn</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$71,819</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$6,250</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$65,569</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$71,500</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$71,500</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Teamsters Union</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$68,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$68,000</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">National Assn of Realtors</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$67,750</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$1,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$66,750</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Carpenters & Joiners Union</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$67,500</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$67,500</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">United Auto Workers</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$66,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$66,000</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">American Institute of CPAs</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$62,500</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$62,500</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$59,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$59,000</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Operating Engineers Union</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$58,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$58,000</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Laborers Union</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$55,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$55,000</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">United Food & Commercial Workers Union</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$52,500</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$52,500</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Time Warner</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$51,400</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$38,900</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$12,500</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Specialty Merchandise Corp</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$48,200</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$48,200</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">American Federation of Teachers</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$44,031</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$44,031</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Grobstein, Horwath & Co</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$43,533</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$43,533</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Deloitte & Touche</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$41,750</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$750</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$41,000</td></tr>
<tr class=" even" style="background-color: #f0f3f6;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">National Education Assn</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$40,000</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$40,000</td></tr>
<tr class="rowTint" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f0f3f6; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Service Employees International Union</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$37,200</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$0</td><td class="number" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$37,200</td></tr>
</tbody><caption class="download" style="caption-side: top; color: #666666; font-size: 0.9em; font-style: italic; font-weight: lighter; text-align: left;">Download: <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/db2dl/?q=MemContrib&cid=N00006897&cycle=Career&output=CSV&type=C" style="color: #283ba9; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="CSV" height="18" id="csvButt" name="csvButt" src="http://www.opensecrets.org/img/csv.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" width="30" /></a> <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/db2dl/?q=MemContrib&cid=N00006897&cycle=Career&output=XML&type=C" style="color: #283ba9; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="CSV" height="18" id="xmlButt" name="xmlButt" src="http://www.opensecrets.org/img/xml.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" width="30" /></a> <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/db2dl/?q=MemContrib&cid=N00006897&cycle=Career&output=JSON&type=C" style="color: #283ba9; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="CSV" height="18" id="jsonButt" name="\jsonButt"" src="http://www.opensecrets.org/img/json.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" width="30" /></a><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/downloadkey_pop.php" style="color: #283ba9; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="About OpenSecrets.org's download options" border="0" src="http://www.opensecrets.org/img/icon_help_white.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; vertical-align: bottom;" /></a></caption></table><br />
<br />
If Sherman and his colleagues succeed in getting a bill passed that ends workers' right to work, President Obama would likely sign it and millions of Americans could be forced to pay a union or be fired if they become unionized.<br />
<br />
This is why....<br />
<br />
<i>Elections have consequences</i><br />
<br />
<b><i>Get out and vote in November.</i></b><br />
<br />
hat-tip: <a href="http://www.workerfreedom.org/rep-brad-sherman-d-calif-spreading-a3812">Alliance for Worker Freedom</a><br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-10034715720720899832010-06-16T01:21:00.000-04:002010-06-16T01:21:59.620-04:00Teamsters win right to mow lawns...The Teamsters <a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_6525601c-78e0-11df-a074-001cc4c03286.html">won a round</a>:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Racine County's use of inmates to mow state highway medians and shoulders violated 2009 labor agreements, an arbitrator has decided.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Racine County has been using jail inmates for the last year to mow state highway medians, and that upset union members who filed a grievance.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">An arbitrator decision, publicly released Tuesday, said Racine County did violate 2009 labor agreements by using inmates to mow, but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">the arbitrator's decision did not directly say the county needed to stop using inmates to mow</span>.</span></blockquote><br />
<br />
Ssssh! <i>Don't tell the arbitrator about <a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/05/teamsters-got-your-goat.html">the goats</a>.</i>..<br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-6728903642028505522010-06-15T23:30:00.002-04:002010-06-15T23:34:20.192-04:00Desperate Times for Desperate DemsYou know when time are bad for <s>socialists</s> Democrats when one of their own becomes a <s>capitalist</s> <a href="http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/103411-gephardt-hired-as-lobbyist-by-firm-battling-the-seiu">lobbyist <strong>for a corporation <em>fighting the SEIU</em></strong></a><strong><em>*</em></strong>...<br />
<blockquote><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Former House Dem leader Gephardt hired as lobbyist by firm battling SEIU</span></span></strong><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) has been hired to lobby for a major food-services company that has faced criticism from a powerful union</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Gephardt and Tom O’Donnell, his former chief of staff, have registered to lobby on “labor/management related matters” by Sodexo, according to lobbying disclosure records.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The French-owned company has been</span> <strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">embroiled in a battle with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) over a labor organizing campaign, and Gephardt is known for his labor ties.</span></strong><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">[snip]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">The company has also hired Jeff Trammell,</span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> a former senior adviser to ex-Vice President Al Gore</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">, to lobby for the firm.</span></blockquote><br />
...and its not Gephardt's first time <a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/macaray04232010.html">working for corporations either</a>...<br />
<blockquote><div class="style2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">So what does a labor union supporter and former 14-term congressman do after abandoning all hope of becoming president? Does he hook up with a union and use his connections to further the cause? Does he put his Northwestern University bachelor’s degree and University of Michigan law degree to use by doing public interest work? </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Does he teach, write books and go on the lecture circuit, extolling the virtues of America’s workers?</span></strong><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">No. He turns his back on what he formerly stood for and goes for the easy money. </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> He places his snout in the trough right next to the other guys. Gephardt becomes a lobbyist</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">. Not only a lobbyist, but </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">a lobbyist for Goldman Sachs</span></strong><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">This former critic of Wall Street is now a booster of Wall Street. </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">With his knowledge and connections, there were a dozen ways Gephardt could have helped the labor movement.</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"> He could have made a difference. Instead, by defecting, he defiled his legacy and further fanned the flames of cynicism.</span></div></blockquote><div class="style2"><br />
Yo, Dick! Money talks, bulls**t walks!<br />
<br />
</div><div class="style2"><em>[Now we know how much your "service" in Washington meant to you!]</em><br />
<em><br />
</em></div><div class="style2"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o127/ayzaiah_ice/laughingsmiley.gif" /></div><div class="style2">...can't...stop...laughing...</div><div class="style2">__________________<br />
<br />
</div><i>"I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a><br />
<br />
[* Emphasis added throughout.]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-68719834541149917172010-06-15T12:32:00.001-04:002010-06-15T12:53:40.495-04:00No-Vote Unionization: Union bosses and Dems want it resurrected...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/TBeqTzmc-1I/AAAAAAAAAvA/F4pPvCn91r0/s1600/TRUMKA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/TBeqTzmc-1I/AAAAAAAAAvA/F4pPvCn91r0/s200/TRUMKA.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>With the union-controlled National Labor Relations Board <a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/2010/06/unionizing-doctors-seiu-already-reaping.html">doing labor's bidding these days</a>, one would think union bosses and their Democrat minions would forget about pushing the job-destroying and hallucinogenically-named <a href="http://laborunionreport.blogspot.com/p/employee-free-choice-act.html">Employee Free Choice Act</a>. But apparently that is not the case.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>As the U<s>nion of Ailing Workplaces</s> United Auto Workers (UAW) meets in Detroit this week to install a new king (Bob King, that is), they had a visit from the AFL-CIO's top boss, <a href="http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1630">Richard "the Fifth" Trumka</a>, who, among other comments seemed to be <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20100614/BUSINESS01/100614045/AFL-CIO-chief-backs-Employee-Free-Choice-Act">calling up the spirits of EFCA</a>:</div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Trumka also called on UAW members to intensify phone calls, letter writing and other lobbying of their congressional representatives and senators to pass the Employee Free Choice Act....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">"We won't quit until the EFCA becomes the law of the land and everyone who wants a union can have a union," Trumka said.</span></blockquote><div><br />
Not to be outdone by Trumka's remarks, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) seemed rather frustrated by <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20100614/BUSINESS01/100614039/Congressman--Act-on-reforms?goback=.nvr_3012900_1">Democrats current impotence on EFCA</a>:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">“I do not understand it. … We control the White House. We control the Senate. We control the House of Representatives," Lewis said. “Let's pass it and pass it now.”</span></blockquote><br />
No matter how bad the idea, no matter how many jobs it will destroy and no matter how many freedoms it takes away, unions and their Democrat minions will stop at nothing at seeing a unionized America.<br />
<br />
<div><b>Remember GOTV on NOVEMBER 2nd. <i>Your right to vote depends on it</i>.</b><br />
__________________ <br />
<br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-59232276908052458942010-06-14T01:35:00.003-04:002010-06-14T01:57:59.443-04:00On UAW's Gettlefinger: It doesn't get any more surreal.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/TBW_Orx2vsI/AAAAAAAAAu4/tbwkMk_FvIg/s1600/RON+GETTLEFINGER4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pOgLmc-Yri4/TBW_Orx2vsI/AAAAAAAAAu4/tbwkMk_FvIg/s200/RON+GETTLEFINGER4.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>This week, the <s>United Against Work</s> United Auto Workers (UAW) is holding its <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20100613/BUSINESS01/100613018/Hope-for-unity-at-UAW-Convention">35th constitutional convention in Detroit</a> this week, <a href="http://www.detnews.com/article/20100613/METRO/6130329/1148/AUTO01/UAW-retiree-handcuffed-for-passing-out-leaflets-at-Cobo-Center">one protester was handcuffed</a> (actually he is a UAW retiree and convention delegate) and the UAW's new king (Bob King, that is) is being <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5joQ4E7-vYQiguoVMHxGcQw-SiFGQD9G83TI01">challenged by a dissident member</a>.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the UAW's retiring boss, Ron Gettlefinger (the man who brought you Government Motors), in an <a href="http://www.detnews.com/article/20100613/BIZ/6130337/1409/METRO/Gettelfinger--Organizing-unions-a-basic-right">interview with reporters</a>, offered his rather surrealistic views on worker rights.<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger gave a preview Sunday of part of his Monday farewell speech at the union's constitutional convention, telling reporters that he would vigorously defend the right of workers to organize.</span></blockquote><br />
Okay. So far, so good. But here's where he goes all screwy:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Gettelfinger questioned why it is a<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">ll right for groups like the National Association of Manufacturers to have members</span>, but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">businesses try to trample the rights</span> of individual employees <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">to form unions</span> and collectively bargain for wages, benefits and working conditions. </span></blockquote><br />
What Gettlefinger is doing in this one statement is deploying at least two <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda#Transfer">distinct propaganda techniques</a>, namely <a href="http://mason.gmu.edu/~amcdonal/Propaganda%20Techniques.html#Propaganda_">transfer</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Lie">The Big Lie</a>.<br />
<br />
For decades, unions have used (as an argument <i>for</i> unionization) the <i><b>transfer</b></i><b> meme</b> that there's really no difference between businesses belonging to associations like the National Association of Manufacturers or Chambers of Commerce versus workers belonging to labor unions.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, there are <i>many</i> differences between business associations and unions. Here are just a few:<br />
<ul><li>Businesses <b><i>can quit </i></b>their associations whenever they want, union workers <b><i>cannot</i></b>. In fact, trying to get a union out of the workplace is <a href="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/unionfreematerials/kickingtheunionout.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">extremely difficult</span></a> for workers.</li>
<li>Businesses <b><i>can stop paying money</i></b> to their associations any time they like and the worst that would happen to them is they get kicked out. If a unionized worker quits paying a union, <b><i>in 28 states, </i></b><a href="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/aboutunions/payduesorbefired.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b><i>the union can have him fired</i></b></span></a><b><i>.</i></b></li>
<li>Businesses who break an association's rules <b><i>can get kicked out</i></b>, but a union worker who breaks a union's rules <a href="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/unionfinesgeneral.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b><i>can be placed on trial by the union and fined money</i></b></span></a>.</li>
<li>Business associations <b><i>cannot cause</i></b> their members to go out on strike, <b><i>unions can</i></b>.</li>
<li>Business associations <b><i>cannot cause</i></b> their members to lose their jobs, <i><b>unions can</b></i>.</li>
<li>Business associations <b><i>cannot cause</i></b> their member companies to outsource jobs, <i><b>unions can</b></i><b>.</b></li>
<li>Business associations <b><i>cannot cause</i></b> the government to nationalize companies, <s>unions have</s><i> <b>the UAW has</b>.</i></li>
</ul><br />
The second propaganda technique Gettlefinger uses is <b>the Big Lie</b>. In fact, not only does he use it once in his statement but <i>twice</i>.<br />
<ul><li>First, Gettlefinger alleges that businesses try "to trample the rights of individual employees..." Despite that this is <b>an overly broad generality</b> (there are over four million employers in the U.S.), the fact of the matter is, <i>unions win roughly 68% of all NLRB elections</i>. This means that, if Gettlefinger's statement was true, <i>employers are doing a pretty poor job at trampling the rights of workers.</i></li>
</ul><ul><li>The second point Gettlefinger makes in the same sentence is <b><i>another union myth</i></b>: "...individual employees to <i>form unions and collectively bargain</i> for wages, benefits and working conditions." Unions like the UAW are no longer "formed" by workers, they are legal entities already established and, more importantly, when workers belong to a third-party union like the UAW, the union is the members sole and exclusive bargaining representative for the purpose of collective bargaining. In other words, the <b><i>workers don't do the bargaining, the union does</i></b>. Moreover, according to<a href="http://www.1-888-no-union.com/uawconstitution.html"> the UAW's own union constitution</a>, in order for any UAW contract to be approved, the UAW must approve it (and the union has veto power as well).</li>
</ul><br />
What is even more hypocritical of Gettlefinger's portrayal of unions is the fact that his successor, Bob King, who was chosen by the UAW leaders last year, is not even going to be voted on by UAW members but will be installed this week <a href="http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1948870,00.html">by the convention delegates</a>.<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">For more than 60 years, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">the UAW's top leadership has blocked attempts to permit union members to vote directly for the union presidency</span>. Rather, as the UAW's new designated nominee, King has the support of the union executive board, which has picked the UAW presidents since the late 1940s through series of closed caucuses.</span></blockquote><br />
It's a good thing Ron Gettlefinger is retiring because the truth just can't be stretched any more than it has.<br />
<br />
Goodbye, Ron. <i> It's been surreal.</i><br />
__________________ <br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<div></div><br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3591763278970011555.post-7147592670341083112010-06-13T20:15:00.002-04:002010-06-13T20:16:42.296-04:00Spirit Airlines Crippled by Pilots Strike<div>Apparently, Spirit Airlines' pilots don't realize there's a recession going on and airlines are struggling to stay solvent. </div><div><br />
</div><div>On Saturday, ALPA-represented pilots grounded the airline after rejecting a contract that would have <b>raised their pay 30% over five years, increased the match to their retirement plan and provided them four days off between every trip.</b></div><div><br />
</div><div>Presumably, it wasn't good enough.</div><div><br />
</div>More <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-3584-Airline-Industry-Examiner~y2010m6d13-Spirit-grounded-through-at-least-Tuesday-pilots-see-overwhelming-support-from-labor-groups">here</a>:<br />
__________________<br />
<i>“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.”</i> Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776<br />
<br />
For more news and views on today’s unions, go to <a href="http://www.laborunionreport.com/">LaborUnionReport.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/laborunionrpt"><img alt="Follow laborunionrpt on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_bird-b.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0