http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/unions/ en-us Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:38:07 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2286419/posts Governor Schwarzenegger said it exactly right. Unions and lap-dog, Democrat legislators in Sacramento are doing their best to make sure that everyone but they have to sacrifice to save California's budget. The governor told reporters that unions and Democrats are telling Californians, "We want you to make the sacrifices but we in Sacramento don't want to make any sacrifices or any changes." Unions are pointing fingers at everyone but themselves and refusing to budge on cuts in their overweening benefits, lush pay scale and perks but are insisting everyone else make the sacrifices to save union jobs. And, let's face... Publius' Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2286419/posts#comment Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:38:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2285138/posts Are Union members to blame for for California's budget crisis or is the Union leadership? Randy Larsen http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2285138/posts#comment Fri, 3 Jul 2009 23:33:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284335/posts AP article. Posting link only. http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/02/ca-california-budget-070209/?california&zIndex=125886 San Diego Union Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2284335/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:38:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283988/posts The co-founder of the National Education Association (NEA) Conservative Educators Caucus says the NEA will consider adoption of a resolution supporting homosexual "marriage." The NEA is currently holding its annual convention in San Diego, California. Educator and conservative activist Jeralee Smith called OneNewsNow from the convention to report that the executive council has approved language that will throw the full support of the NEA behind same-gender marriage, homosexual adoption, and other issues surrounding the homosexual agenda. "They will help to overturn legislation that is discriminatory against same-sex couples," she notes. "And then there is one little bullet about [how] they... One News Now http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283988/posts#comment Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:34:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283251/posts Unions are spearheading the attack on our healthcare system and none more so than the Service Employee's International Union and its sister organization the CNA. The ten talking points that the California Nurses Association has put out in order to rev up its membership to support a universal, single payer healthcare system is interesting, to say the least. In this posting, I'd like to reply to each of them with a little rebuke of my own. But first I’d like to remark on the ham-handed style in which these talking points were written. The class warfare rhetoric here is more... Publius Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283251/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:13:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283235/posts Ex-employees, backed by SEIU, say working-class and immigrant clients are urged to sign up for multiple services that carry high interest rates and fees. BofA denies any wrongdoing. CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 30 (UPI) -- Nine former Bank of America employees accused the bank of over-selling services to Hispanic clients to create financial chaos that would result in bank fees. "We were coached every day to push multiple checking accounts, credit cards and debit cards even when the customer didn't understand how to use them," said former employee Gabby Ornelas of Landover Hills, Md. Ornelas, who speaks Spanish, said she was... Times of the Internet http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2283235/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:54:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283211/posts The L.A. Times had a very interesting piece last week on the unusually close relationship between Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern and President Obama. The story revealed how Stern "enjoys unusual access to the White House," and how often Stern is invited to attend meetings the administration holds on policy even as other union heads are left out of the loop. The piece does cast some doubt on just how much clout Stern might have with Obama as several of the initiatives he has pushed hard for have yet to come to fruition -- but it should also... Publius Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283211/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:35:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283188/posts When we’re finally done with Obama his “Czar System” circumventing the constitutional confirmation process will stand out. Since he has a Czar for everything, count on a Labor Czar who will be his enforcer. Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) will be Labor Czar. He’ll direct Obama’s ACORN brown shirts and intimidate workers into surrendering to Card Check and nobody will be able to stop them. Who is Commissar Stern? Stern’s a favorite son of the Democratic Socialists of America, whose name spells out its aims. Stern’s SEIU is ruthlessly lawless. More than 3820 Unfair Labor... The Collins Report http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2283188/posts#comment Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:06:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282236/posts Imagine working at a company that treats every employee exactly the same, irrespective of their individual effort. No matter how hard you work or how much your co-workers slack off, you get exactly the same pay. For millions of people, America's outdated labor laws and one-size-fits-all collective-bargaining agreements make this a reality. Maybe this is why studies show union members are less satisfied with their jobs than are nonunion workers, and many Americans simply refuse to work in union shops. Indeed, just 9 percent of nonunion workers tell pollsters they would like to join a union, and private-sector union membership... The Tahoe Daily Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282236/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:04:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282213/posts Organized labor is dictating a large portion of the Obama administration's work, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) alleged Monday. "The unions are running a lot of this administration," McCain said during an appearance on the Mike Broomhead show on local radio station KFYI. "Look what just happened with Chrysler and General Motors," McCain added. The Hill, Washington, DC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2282213/posts#comment Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:38:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281860/posts Rep. Frost (D) is "explaining" ObamaCare. "It would be unfair to pass ObamaCare without a way to pay for it." "Obama's feet aren't set in concrete. It would have been irresponsible for Obama not to go back on his promise not to tax health benefits." "Only rich and upper-class people will have their health benefits taxed. That's fair since they're rich." "We must ensure that great health costs can be paid by everyone." Fox News Channel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281860/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:39:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281677/posts A horde of union members gathered on Capitol Hill on Thursday demanding that a government-backed insurance program be included in healthcare reform legislation. At a rally fronted by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, representatives from liberal groups and organized labor said a bill that does not include a public insurance plan would not be true reform... Success on healthcare reform is a must for Democrats, Dean told The Hill. “I think it’s going to be a catastrophic problem for the Democratic Party if they can’t get this bill out.” The Hill http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281677/posts#comment Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:05:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281036/posts They led the most powerful forces in healthcare -- the trade groups representing doctors, insurance companies, hospitals and drug makers. Any one of them could stall, if not derail, President Obama's hopes of overhauling the U.S. healthcare system. Instead, they stood with Obama before TV cameras at the White House and pledged their cooperation. For Obama, the show of unity gave momentum to perhaps his most ambitious domestic goal. But the moment was a victory, as well, for another man invited to the event that morning in May. Andy Stern heads the SEIU, the union that helped corral the industry... The Los Angeles Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2281036/posts#comment Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:59:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280970/posts We have been reporting on the clash between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and it's California subsidiary the United Healthcare Workers (UHW). We have talked of the battle between the two, how the SEIU has strong-armed or dismissed the elected members of the UHW board, and how at last thousands of members of what was the UHW are attempting to leave to start a new union to rival the SEIU. But, it appears that the SEIU is a tad unhappy that so many of its California members would quit to form a new union. And so, in order to... Publius' Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2280970/posts#comment Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:58:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2280488/posts In the 60’s a new buzzword; “globalization” hit the American Shores. While the youth of America were feverish with xenophilia about fashion, music, culture, the American worker became infected with xenophobia. Globalization happened. What is American is not American and what is not American is American. Someone needs to tell the UAW the 60’s are over Alliance for Worker Freedom http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2280488/posts#comment Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:23:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279850/posts Thousands of union members rallied for Obamacare on Capitol Hill today in a massive display of union outreach that threatened to deliver more votes for a controversial “public plan” option. The rally came on the heels of Obama raising the possibility that unions would be exempt from taxing health care benefits. Obama said he was open to imposing new taxes on Americans who are not union members, which is a principle he adamantly opposed during his presidential campaign. The hypocrisy was easily explained by one Republican strategist who was closely following health care developments on the Hill. "Is it any... Townhall.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2279850/posts#comment Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278881/posts The Senate is about to pay off the unions for helping get Obama elected. Senator Max Baucus (D, Mont.) looks to be about ready to propose a plan to pay for Obama’s massive, more than $1 trillion in new government spending on healthcare by instituting a new tax on many employees that currently have healthcare through their workplace (nearly 1 in 8 workers according to Peter Barnes). Never having been “income” before, Senator Baucus is prepared to claim it is and will be taxed accordingly. … unless, of course, you happen to be a union member. If you are a... Stop the ACLU http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278881/posts#comment Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:51:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278364/posts The best chance for compromise legislation on health care may be a plan under construction in the Senate Finance Committee that would pay for a public plan in part by taxing some worker health benefits. But the union workers who helped Democrats win Congress and the White House and whose support will be key in getting a health bill signed into law would not pay the tax. With cost estimates already as high as $1.6 trillion, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., has proposed paying for the bill in part by taxing health care benefits for workers who earn... Wash Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278364/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:58:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278595/posts The Service Employees International Union has just dropped another wad of cash for another television commercial, this time lambasting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for calling for "sacrifice" by cutting social services but refusing to tax cigarettes and oil extraction. SacBee: Capitol Alert http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278595/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:45:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2278390/posts The ultimate fate of the General Motors Corporation... along with Ford, Chrysler, American Motors, and others... was determined the day that the auto manufacturers accepted the United Auto Workers (UAW) as the principal bargaining agent for their workers. But the date and time of GM’s final demise was established on September 25, 2007, when negotiators for GM and the UAW reached agreement on their final four-year contract agreement. What should have been established by a single one-sentence agreement between GM and each of its 74,000 workers, i.e. “If you will agree to work for this company, show up for work... The New Media Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2278390/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:28:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2278382/posts Barack Obama was probably as surprised as anyone that he was still standing after Iowa. He knew that he was running against a group of retreads, that he was the only fresh face, but by his own admission he was too junior for a presidential run. As the campaign wore on, his surprise intensified when it became him versus the candidate with the highest negatives. His coup happened in the caucuses – good old fashioned Chicago-style vote control. The Patriot Room http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2278382/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:19:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2278287/posts Of course we've talked endlessly about the fact that the Democrat's Orwellian named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) eliminates the employee's free choice to vote for or against unionization using the ages-old democratic practice of a secret ballot. Who hasn't, right? In fact, we've talked about it so much that even Democrats are turning against this aspect of the act and this is one of the reasons that the bill has not been able to muster enough votes to get passed. So, we can mark that as a tentative victory. But there is more in this horrible legislation that needs... Publius' Forum http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2278287/posts#comment Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:29:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277877/posts Hundreds of New York City public school teachers accused of offenses ranging from insubordination to sexual misconduct are being paid their full salaries to sit around all day playing Scrabble, surfing the Internet or just staring at the wall, if that's what they want to do. Because their union contract makes it extremely difficult to fire them, the teachers have been banished by the school system to its "rubber rooms" — off-campus office space where they wait months, even years, for their disciplinary hearings. The 700 or so teachers can practice yoga, work on their novels, paint portraits of their... ap http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277877/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:29:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277839/posts The U.S. Conference of Mayors has declined President Obama’s invitation for a meeting at the White House on June 29. The mayors have not determined when, or even if, they will accept the invite an administration extended after Obama and Vice President Joe Biden skipped the mayors' annual meeting in Providence, R.I., earlier this month due to a local labor dispute involving firefighters. The White House cancelled plans for senior staff and Cabinet officials to attend the meeting the week before its kickoff, angering some of the nation’s mayors. The administration responded by inviting the mayors to Washington for a... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277839/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:44:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277822/posts About 4,000 more salaried workers at General Motors Corp. will lose their jobs by the end of the year as the automaker continues to downsize. AP/Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2277822/posts#comment Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:22:59 GMT