Weekend Economists Enumerate the Wealth of Nations, February 10-12, 2012

[bread_and_roses]

42. King of UAW wants to have his cake and eat it too

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120210/AUTO01/202100428/King-says-UAW-prepping-nationwide-protests?odyssey=tab

February 10, 2012 at 7:47 pm
King says UAW prepping for nationwide protests

Flint— United Auto Workers President Bob King used the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Flint Sit-Down Strike to call for "direct action" — including nonviolent civil disobedience — to take back America from the "right-wing Republicans" and "one-percenters" who he says have hijacked this democracy.

King said the UAW would begin training its members and other activists this spring to take part in peaceful, but potentially illegal, protests across America to stop what he called the rollback of workers' rights and civil rights.

Yes, Brother! About time! but then....

The union leader would not go into detail about the UAW's plans, but King said he is working with the leaders of other labor unions and "faith groups" to fan the flames sparked by last year's Occupy Wall Street movement. He said their first priority would be to re-elect President Barack Obama...

Sorry, Brother, but you'll suck all the energy out of your direct actions if you divert people to politics as usual - what, you're going to try to fire them all up like '08 to elect Obama and then ask them to turn around and engage in direct action against same?

... and finally, you really go off the rails here, Bob - have you learned nothing from your members being the screw-ees in the great "rescue" of the US auto industry?

He would not comment on reports that he will soon be named to Opel's managing board, but he did say labor and management "can accomplish more by working together," as the UAW and GM did during the recent recession.

You have to know your enemy, Bob, before you can fight him.
edit for quote boxes & spelling