Unions Mobilize Against Bush

[hang a left]

Unions Mobilize Against Bush
Thu Sep 2, 2004 06:07 PM ET


By Peter Szekely
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As President Bush was preparing to accept the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday, the country's labor movement was preparing to try to dump him.

With their focus on jobs, health care and worker rights, more than 15,000 volunteers were set to visit the homes of up to 1 million union members and their families in 16 swing states in an effort to persuade them that Bush has failed in all three areas, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said.

"Our members have never been more engaged and motivated as they see the effects of Bush's policies on their lives -- our union halls have been overwhelmed by volunteers," the president of the 60-union labor federation told a news conference.

The ambitious house-to-house effort for Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry is part of what AFL-CIO officials called their biggest ever political "ground war" drive in which union campaign volunteers contact other union members and workers where they live and work.

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=6139744

[enki23]

1. this is a fight for their very existance

they'd better understand that by now.

[qwertyMike]

2. Thatcher destroyed the unions in Britain

They should be very afraid

[LiberalFighter]

4. The governor of Kentucky revoked the Executive Order...

that permitted state employees to be organized when he was elected. Current governor is a repug.

[AlCzervik]

3. "overwhelmed by volunteers"

How good does that sound? FingA!

[SoDesuKa]

5. New York Firefighters Endorse Bush

New York, NY - The Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, which represents 20,000 active and retired firefighters, yesterday endorsed President George W. Bush's reelection as President of the United States. In a letter of endorsement to President Bush yesterday, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York President Stephen J. Cassidy said, "There are many issues in which we share common ground. During the attack on our nation on September 11, 2001, your leadership and compassion sustained us during our darkest hour.

"Your post September 11th policies have strengthened our nation by taking the war to the terrorists. Additionally your overall record of achievement and support for firefighters proves that you have earned another four years leading this great nation."

Cassidy committed his organization's support in reelecting the President in November. "Our 20,000 members are ready to stand by you and support you during your bid for re-election. Call on us and we will be there. This nation needs your leadership to continue to protect us both at home and abroad," he said.


http://www.ufanyc.org/652_main/652_2004/652_62of04.html

[Corgigal]

6. Could have help your brothers

if he got off his ass and not read My Pet Goat when it mattered.
OR given the money to the city so they could get new radio equipment and training.

He doesn't give a flip about public service.

[Tight_rope]

7. I would what undeliverable promise he made them!

FOOLS...Some will never learn. It always takes the hard way!

[Ernesto]

12. This story is a example the pig's skill @ manipulating the press

The uniformed fire fighter's ass. is little more than a small group of management suck-asses. It in no way represents the huge majority of good AFL-CIO rank & file NY fire fighters that oppose the chimp. (Please see earlier DU threads from today) ..... This is a perfect example of how our lazy, naive (or biased) press can be duped by skilled repuke opperatives. Unfortunately the story has been printed & the damage is done.

[RaRa]

8. In Marietta, Oh

where my folks live (very conservative town),my mom passed on the article about * being on psychiatric drugs to her hairdresser. This lady's husband is with the local phone company; he's union and he posted the article at the work bulletin board. Everybody there started signing it after they read it. On another note, my brother is a prominent defense attorney there and proudly stuck his Kerry sign in his window and got quite a few calls of encouragement. One lone coward cussed him out on his answering machine; anonymously.

[dolstein]

9. How about mobilizing against the local unions that support the GOP?

Case in point: the NYC firefighters union that gave Bush a perfect photo-op the day before his convention speech?

And what about the unions in Pennsylvania that have endorsed Spector?

No wonder the union movement is washed up.

[davsand]

11. Spector has not been bad on labor issues.

He's been out front on the overtime legislation--in opposition. He does not have a bad history on issues involving labor. I'm not surprised he was endorsed.

Labor is a special interest group--period. Why is it so difficult to see them advance their cause? That really is all an endorsement is supposed to do--recognize the politicos who are favorably inclined toward labor and have demonstrated it in the past.

I think it is a terrible mistake for any Dem to just assume that labor will endorse them over any GOP member. I'll grant you, Dems traditionally do better on labor votes, but in this case, it shouldn't be terribly shocking that they endorsed Spector.

I only wish the Dems would take labor more seriously--maybe then it'd be easier to count on that labor support.


Laura

[Ernesto]

13. delete

[Ernesto]

15. Check your facts before you insult

How does it feel to be duped by repuke shills? That story was a total crock of shit. In fact the so called "union" you speak of represents almost NO rank & file NY fire fighters. This group should be called swift boat fire fighters for the chimp... get a clue, these pricks are playing for keeps!

[struggle4progress]

10. solidarity kick

:kick:

[bvar22]

14. Happy Labor Day weekend!!!!!!

republicans ane not allowed at the party unless they sign a loyalty oath to John Kerry.

ALL republicans MUST report to work this weekend without overtime.

[demgrrrll]

16. I spend a lot of time at union halls doing phone banking during elections

I am sure I will be at the Electricians Hall and the Carpenters Hall this year too. Morning noon and night if that is what it takes.