Daily Kos: "Socially conscious" lobby firm joins Wal-Mart against labor!

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/24/132519/631

by ProgressiveSouth
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Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 10:27:41 AM PDT

Cross-posted at Facing South

In the world of cut-throat Washington lobbying, Virginia-based D & P Creative Strategies wants you to think they're different.

The slogan of the small firm -- which proudly states on its website that it's "100% minority and woman-owned" -- is "Consulting with a Social Conscience." As if to separate themselves from the image of the mercenary, anything-for-the-money culture of K Street, the company instead projects an image of mission-based lobbying with values:

We are devoted to the creation of business, philanthropic and legislative initiatives that help elevate the social, economic and political status of the communities we come from.

But those who see labor unions as a key way to "elevate" their "economic status" may not agree.

* ProgressiveSouth's diary :: ::
*

According to federal lobbying records obtained by Facing South, since 2005 one of D & P's most reliable clients has been Wal-Mart -- a company long targeted by unions due its checkered labor history.

What's more, the lobbying records show that at least since mid-2008, D & P has been specifically hired by Wal-Mart to lobby against the Employee Free Choice Act -- the labor reform bill that has been the top legislative priority for unions this year.

According to federal records, D & P has received $165,000 from Wal-Mart since 2005 to lobby for the retail giant's interests. Starting in summer 2008, D & P's three latest filings (April 2009, January 2008, and October 2008 ) specifically show Wal-Mart hired D & P to "discuss" the Employee Free Choice Act with members of the House and Senate from Wal-Mart's perspective -- in other words, to lobby against it.

(D & P's 2005 report also lists labor issues as a focus of its Wal-Mart lobbying, but doesn't mention the EFCA.)

The irony is that Democratic-leaning lobbying firms like D & P are enjoying unprecedented access under the Obama administration and Democratic-controlled Congress -- electoral victories due in no small part due to massive backing from organized labor, and bitterly opposed by Wal-Mart.


FULL story at link.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Look, the consulting firm that worked for Howard Dean was supporting the tobacco industry and

fighting lead paint regulations.

that's the way the business works.

[dcsmart]

2. can't argue with this:

The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. There can be no peace so long as hunger and want are found among millions of the working people and the few, who make up the employing class, have all the good things of life.
Preamble to the IWW Constitution
http://www.iww.org/culture/official/preamble.shtml


...well some people can. and do. and will.
labor needs to separate from both parties and start their own.