Yesterday's Politico featured an article on Big Labor's agenda for 2009 (which the SEIU union just announced that alone it plans to spend $85 million to push for). As we already know, priority one is imposing the card check organizing mandate that leads to intimidation and harassment of workers who may not wish to affiliate with a union.
The whole article is worth reading, however one particular quote is instructive about the state of Big Labor and union organizing today:
“For American labor, 2009 will be a big year,” McEntee said. “We have a new administration. We have governors all across the country who are looking toward being able to organize more workers in red states that have become blue.”
Notice that McEntee, who is the top official at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, says that it will be politicians who unionize workers.
This is the dirty little secret: It's increasingly uncommon for employees to seek unionization on their own. Instead, most "organizing" takes place because union officials target workers for unionization from the outside top down-style, often with Big Labor supported politicians playing a central role.
Two of the many examples of this are the Maine State workers being represented by Foundation attorneys in the Locke U.S. Supreme Court case and the home and health care workers in Illinois who were forced into union ranks by disgraced Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich. In both those cases, the union was designated by Big Labor-friendly governors -- rather than selected by the workers.
Comments
Union Pension Rollover
I am finding this choice of freedom of being union or non-union is the basis of the American Right, right to make choices and therefore do not have an issue with regard to present state laws that are right to work states. In fact, I semi adore their spine... I would hope that this choice would be invoked soon so as to allow the freedom of choice to all Americans as it was meant to be. Hopefully, this can lead to union ex-pats to easily roll out of their union retirements and into qualifying retirement plans that we union ex-pats can manage the rest of our futures and lives without their influence or unjust punishments. My separation many years ago, and without any form of employment through their black balling efforts, is very similar for far many more people out there than most are aware. We sit here with nice pensions in our hard worked nests and unable to do anything with it while we watch the AFLCIO and locals diminish our holdings, slowly stealing what is ours, what belongs in our control. The last letter I received was exactly to this effect of their diminishing our net worth and I have seen it far too many times, in fact, that was the second induction and time in my life I was a member and the second time I have been majorly screwed but I can tell you, it wont go down without a major fight this time...
I would like to see congress and the Obama camp induct to law a measure that will allow union pension roll-out / rollovers from any unions pension plans into other IRS approved accounts so we are able to utilize and manage the accounts, our future. The unions contend it is illegal to do even when that plan was 100% vested before their acronomical changes therefore they are illegal in what they do in withholding a withdrawn members funds as randsom, slowly reducing our non-participant holdings. It's our money, not theirs and given the present economical issues, I owe nothing more to them, they owe us our money. It's our future, not theirs once the ties are cut... Anyone out there with information that can help ? please advise, I am on a roll to get a new law passed that will benefit many far more than waiting on $ -0- at our retirement. I will go to Washington and petition for a new law since others are able to utilize their 401k's in such times... Fair for some, but not all, we need to manage our own futures, not the guito's... I sense a major legal case here...and at 115/month for working 15 hard core years of blood and sweat and tears, I would have to live till I am 150 years old. Were's the justice ? I do want what is mine to maintain...and I want it now!..