Action on EFCA from AFLCIO

[Kdillard]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/04/03/as-congress-recesses-campaign-for-employee-free-choice-goes-into-high-gear/


Talks about how important the next two weeks are going to be in terms of getting this thing passed. Events will be planned and a big push is being made to get this done. Hopefully Ed S. will be talking about this on his new show. Thankfully it is not dead and done as some articles have seemed to suggest. So if people have the time maybe they can post information about action taking place so that others can follow. Also write the newspapers and Keith, Rachel and Ed in support of coverage for this and labor.

[FreakinDJ]

1. Working Class has always been the "Back Bone" of America

We can all see how well the Wealthy Elite and their Wall St. policies have done for the country

[patrice]

2. Has the AFLCIO made any forthright statements on Single Payer Health Care?

Synergy BETWEEN issues is ignored tooooooo much.

[Kdillard]

3. Not that I know of but you have made a vey good point.

[patrice]

5. What real power are new Unions going to have if certain real solutions are off limits???

These are REAL solutions to one of the worst problems this country has economically.

Take a broad look at the effect of the for-profit motive upon outcomes in purely cost-based decision making systems; do a few simulations with cost projections into the next decade or two and see how expensive or difficult medical care plans are going to be increasingly tracked OUT of the system, no matter the human outcomes, as soon as possible in order to protect profit margins. Euthanasia, by any other name, is still euthanasia.

[patrice]

6. How much of a hit are Unions going to "have to" take on other issues if Health Care isn't REALLY

reformed?

[Fire1]

8. I think it depends. Which will come first? If health care reform

comes first, then no problem. If not, the strength of more organized labor can only secure reform.

[patrice]

12. I hope you all think of this stuff when you pick your leaders.

I was raised pro-Union. I have a great deal of Hope for you and the Employee Free Choice Act.

I believe Labor IS America.

[patrice]

9. BTW: Single Payer will NOT eliminate for-profits, what it WILL do is REDUCE COSTS.

Health Care Providers, Insurance Companies all stay as they are and the government becomes the processor of payments, thus enormously reducing the cost of insurance.

Hopefully, also Public Insurance/Medi-care/caid will be expanded, thus introducing an alternative system that runs at cost.

[Fire1]

11. Exactly. Single payer was never meant to eliminate for- profits.

The choice will be left to the consumer.

[patrice]

13. The other part of it is: With costs reduced as much as possible, expansion of Services is possible.

This will make it possible to consider inclusion of valid Complementary, Preventative, and Alternative services, such as the Nutritional advice my husband, who is fighting stomache cancer, could USE.

[Fire1]

14. Absolutely, patrice and to you and your husband, keep up

the good fight.

[patrice]

17. Thanks. Sorry to hi-jack your thread like that!! It's just that Everything is so darned CONNECTED.

I signed onto the AFLCIO feed, but redundancy doesn't hurt in such busy times; PLEASE let us all know when the best time for making phone calls supporting the Employee Free Choice Act will be.

[Fire1]

18. No problem, patrice. Glad to have your support. Earth Bound

Misfit provided some good contact numbers on this thread. Take a peek.:hi:

[Fire1]

4. Keep hope alive, Kdillard! This is great! K&R

[Fire1]

7. Kick for labor!

:kick:

[Omaha Steve]

10. K&R!

[Fire1]

15. Kick.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

16. K & R Thanks for posting this...

Here's a press release containing some contact info:

Momentum Pours Into Cities and States Across the Country During Congressional Recess
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 3, 2009

CONTACT:

Josh Goldstein (American Rights at Work) 202-822-2127 x118

Alison Omens (AFL-CIO)

202-637-5083

Noreen Nielsen (Change to Win)

202-721-6047

WASHINGTON, DC— As Members of Congress depart Washington, DC this week to return to their home states and districts for the April recess, a new massive ad campaign, along with hundreds of grassroots actions await their arrival. A new television ad will run nationwide and over 300 events will be held across the country to remind elected officials that a majority of the public demands passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

The grassroots activity planned for the recess includes rallies, leafleting, lobbying, town hall meetings, moving billboards, community forums, vigils, call-in days, and more. Workers, elected officials, students, civil rights leaders, and other advocates, will participate in an array of actions underscoring the broad and diverse support for the measure.

“This recess, we will not allow our leaders to forget that workers across the country are counting on them to make the economy work for everyone again,” said American Rights at Work Executive Director Mary Beth Maxwell. “There is an unwavering commitment by a majority of lawmakers to restore our middle class and give workers back the freedom to bargain for a better life. Our ramped up efforts send a strong message to the rest of Congress that we can, we must, and we will pass the Employee Free Choice Act this year

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/04/03/18585778.php

[patrice]

19. I will makes these calls. Thanks for the info!

:hi:

[Earth Bound Misfit]

21. You're welcome

and good luck to you & your husband. :hug:

BTW, GREAT posts re: single payer.:thumbsup:

[dcsmart]

20. i have said it a milliion times Workers of the World Unite K & R