Hello and welcome to Labor Diary Rescue. Diaries are below the fold.
Wow! I originally started the LDR because I wanted to see more exposure on union-related issues. There were some Kossacks who weren’t aware of the importance that labor has to the progressive movement, and I wanted to break through that ignorance.
But last week we had multiple pro-union diaries hitting the recommended list, a roundup of news about the EFCA on the Sunday front-page, and more and more labor diaries are being written. In fact, today we have 9 diaries just up for rescue. This doesn’t count the many diaries that have already been on the rec list or been rescued on the front page.
The LDR is done every Monday and Thursday, barring a bad internet connection, my insane work schedule, or Acts of God (yes, it’s a legal term. Google it). In order to be put on the rescue list you must have a pro-union diary with less than 100 comments, have the words "union" or "labor" in the tag line, and not be on the rec list or any front-page diary rescue.
DJShay tells us about some right-wing idiots who are telling us to boycott General Motors simply to spite Obama in It's One Thing to Hope Obama Fails...........................
The idea is small now, but growing among the hard core right wingers. And even though they are a small group of bitter-enders, this could potentially effect GM, a company that is struggling to stay afloat.
So, as usual, the right decides to step on hundreds of thousands of Americans who will lose their jobs, healthcare, homes, and automobiles, just to prove an effing point.
RDemocrat tells us simply: Fight Back in the War Against Organizing.
But we are not alone. It appears as if many CEOs who are not eaten up with their own greed and selfishness realize that fairness is desperately needed in the American workplace to revive our middle-class, hence our economy:
The Electrical Worker continues telling us about the connection between the IBEW and the new green-collar sector in IBEW Green-Job Training Facilities Around the Country Open Doors to Public.
With renewable energy looking to be the wave of the future, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is letting everyone know that its members are the best-trained green-work force around.
Laborlou tells us involved with GM to keep our faith in Obama in Prez Tilts Toward UAW. (Believe me, Lou, I’m trying real hard.)
In his remarks explaining the GM bailout, the President said that the government’s commitment to the domestic auto industry is an "investment" so that "our children can grow up in an America that still makes things."
And his dedication to the autoworkers is an affirmation of his belief that wage earners deserve decent income and security.
Closing the income gap in the country will be enormously challenging to this Administration. By going way out on a limb for the auto industry – and its unionized workforce - Obama is tilting public policy to institutions which advocate and agitate for increased wages.
A Democrat in Boise (yes, apparently there are Democrats in Boise) is running for city council and has just been endorsed by the local Fire Fighter’s Union. 123idaho tells us all about it in TJ Thomson Announces Campaign Kickoff Party, Receives Fire Fighters' Endorsement.
The Boise Fire Fighters' Union announced their support of TJ Thomson for Boise City Council this week. "From his work as president of the student council at BSU to his career with NASA, TJ has shown an ability to work hard at improving organizations from the top down," said Local #149 Secretary-Treasurer, Jim Walker. "We think he brings tremendous energy to the City Council" Citing Thomson’s "practical idealism", Walker said, "TJ Thomson and fire fighters have a shared vision for Boise that goes well beyond public safety. Fire fighters are also citizens and we, too, want a strong economy, good schools, safe streets, affordable health care, and a clean environment. TJ is the man who can lead this city in the right direction. We’re going to be with him every step of the way," Walker said of the union’s support for Thomson. "We want him to accomplish his vision for Boise ."
Does Specter support EFCA or does he not? ALinSF gives us his take in Specter addresses Employee Free Choice rally in PGH, supports free-ish choice?
I just got back from hearing Sen. Arlen Specter address the Employee Free Choice rally at the Westin in Pittsburgh, co-hosted by Democracy for America and several labor groups (SEIU, PA AFL-CIO and the Allegheny County Labor Council).
The PA State Democratic Committee Meeting was this weekend at the Westin, and Specter was there in his first official capacity with the party. Guessing that he felt the pressure, because we got word last night that Specter had decided to attend the rally.
Union Review is working tirelessly to combine labor and the netroots. He talks about his latest effort in Downloading Labor's Message.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk with the Metro Labor Communications Association, which is a body made up of labor communicators in the Metropolitan NY area, where I am from. I was moderating a panel called "Uploading and Downloading Labor's Message." In a chilly and rainy New York City a group of about 40 union communicators gathered at Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians.
Employee Free Choice Act keeps it going with Professor Mike Hillard, University of Southern Maine Economist Gives a Lesson in Justice.
Mike Hillard is a Professor of Economics at the University of Southern Maine, a member of the AFUM and a friend to the working families of Maine. Last Thursday Mike spoke at the press conference for the Faces of The Employee Free Choice Act Tour, which was held in the SALT Institute in Portland. Faces of The Employee Free Choice Act Tour
And gives us another on in It's Time for EFCA: Take it from a worker who's been there.
There are plenty of reasons to pass the Employee Free Choice Act: preserving the Constitutional right to association and the right to collective bargaining, doing something about corporate greed and CEO pay, doing something about 25 years of wage stagnation, the fact that union workplaces are safer and union members are more likely to have health care and secure pensions etc, etc.
But another reason is to protect workers who attempt to organize from intimidation, harassment, interrogation, coercion, suspensions and firings.
Treat the comments as an open thread. Enjoy!