Comments for Talking Union http://talkingunion.wordpress.com A forum for discussing labor issues sponsored by the DSA Labor Network Thu, 15 May 2008 16:18:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on The importance of understanding private equity by paulgarver http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/the-importance-of-understanding-private-equity/#comment-245 paulgarver Wed, 07 May 2008 16:30:22 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=131#comment-245 I highly recommend the IUF's Workers Guide to Private Equity, and not only because of the whimsical cartoon drawings made by my wife Willy Garver. The IUF has also developed a website dedicated to private equity issues at http://www.iuf.org/buyoutwatch/ I highly recommend the IUF’s Workers Guide to Private Equity, and not only because of the whimsical cartoon drawings made by my wife Willy Garver.

The IUF has also developed a website dedicated to private equity issues at http://www.iuf.org/buyoutwatch/

]]> Comment on Labor scholars, writers, Challenge SEIU by Paul Garver http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/labor-scholars-writers-challenge-seiu/#comment-244 Paul Garver Wed, 07 May 2008 16:14:46 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=129#comment-244 I very much agree with the content of this open letter. In my posting on this blog of April 20 I expressed similar views as a former SEIU staffer. Even when trusteeships are imposed on locals for legitimate reasons such as corruption or failure to represent members, they must be acutely sensitive to restoring democratic process (Disclosure: I myself have acted as a trustee for SEIU). To impose a trusteeship on a functioning local union primarily to change its leadership or bring it into line with the current national policy line is not only illegitimate - it is stupid and short-sighted. I very much agree with the content of this open letter. In my posting on this blog of April 20 I expressed similar views as a former SEIU staffer. Even when trusteeships are imposed on locals for legitimate reasons such as corruption or failure to represent members, they must be acutely sensitive to restoring democratic process (Disclosure: I myself have acted as a trustee for SEIU). To impose a trusteeship on a functioning local union primarily to change its leadership or bring it into line with the current national policy line is not only illegitimate - it is stupid and short-sighted.

]]> Comment on SEIU 1199 Wins Biggest Union Election in Massachusetts History! by big guy http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/seiu-1199-wins-biggest-union-election-in-massachusetts-history/#comment-242 big guy Fri, 02 May 2008 02:52:19 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=26#comment-242 This Union has no back bone when it comes to protecting workers at Eliot. This Union has no back bone when it comes to protecting workers at Eliot.

]]> Comment on SEIU 1199 Wins Biggest Union Election in Massachusetts History! by DOG MEAT http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/seiu-1199-wins-biggest-union-election-in-massachusetts-history/#comment-241 DOG MEAT Fri, 02 May 2008 02:48:59 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=26#comment-241 Eliot Community Human Services managers think SEIU is a JOKE and they ignore union greivences, Eliot Community Human Services managers think SEIU is a JOKE and they ignore union greivences,

]]> Comment on SEIU 1199 Wins Biggest Union Election in Massachusetts History! by DOG MEAT http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/seiu-1199-wins-biggest-union-election-in-massachusetts-history/#comment-226 DOG MEAT Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:17:53 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=26#comment-226 Workers at Eliot Community Human Services are treated like dogs bt Aaron Katz and M Mathews. This is because management can not act ethicaly. Workers at Eliot Community Human Services are treated like dogs bt Aaron Katz and M Mathews. This is because management can not act ethicaly.

]]> Comment on Security and Prosperity Partnership: Open Letter to Congress by North American Union: It's the real deal - Page 6 - Truckingboards Truck Drivers Forum http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/security-and-prosperity-partnership-open-letter-to-congress/#comment-222 North American Union: It's the real deal - Page 6 - Truckingboards Truck Drivers Forum Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:03:27 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-222 [...] Could it be just plain Greed? Of course it's greed.Corporate greed because the little people aren't earning enough to keep them going, never mind saving money. $1.75 an hr when they can come to the USA and earn $5. or more an hr or even get a job in a factory with the American govts blessing for $10.00 an hr. What would you do? I would go to the USA as well because I know no one will stop me except for the odd sherriff in a couple of cities. What differentiates the SPP from other security and trade agreements is that it is not subject to Congressional oversight or approval. The SPP establishes a corporate/government bureaucracy for implementation that excludes civil society participation. As at past SPP summits the New Orleans meetings will be open only to government officials and representatives of the corporate sector. Civil society will be kept on the other side of the fence, their voice silenced. The leaders will hear reports from the various SPP working groups and receive advice and input from the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC). The NACC is made up of 30 large corporations, 10 from each of the three countries. Their interest is in maximizing profit and removing all impediments to such profit by lowering or removing “non-tariff barriers to trade.” In common language this includes local and state regulations such as food safety and environmental laws, labor rights and other measures designed to protect and enhance quality of life. Continue reading below for the full text of the letter. Security and Prosperity Partnership: Open Letter to Congress « Talking Union [...] [...] Could it be just plain Greed? Of course it’s greed.Corporate greed because the little people aren’t earning enough to keep them going, never mind saving money. $1.75 an hr when they can come to the USA and earn $5. or more an hr or even get a job in a factory with the American govts blessing for $10.00 an hr. What would you do? I would go to the USA as well because I know no one will stop me except for the odd sherriff in a couple of cities. What differentiates the SPP from other security and trade agreements is that it is not subject to Congressional oversight or approval. The SPP establishes a corporate/government bureaucracy for implementation that excludes civil society participation. As at past SPP summits the New Orleans meetings will be open only to government officials and representatives of the corporate sector. Civil society will be kept on the other side of the fence, their voice silenced. The leaders will hear reports from the various SPP working groups and receive advice and input from the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC). The NACC is made up of 30 large corporations, 10 from each of the three countries. Their interest is in maximizing profit and removing all impediments to such profit by lowering or removing “non-tariff barriers to trade.” In common language this includes local and state regulations such as food safety and environmental laws, labor rights and other measures designed to protect and enhance quality of life. Continue reading below for the full text of the letter. Security and Prosperity Partnership: Open Letter to Congress « Talking Union [...]

]]> Comment on Change in Plans for Chicago DSA Dinner by Universal Health Care: Theme of Chicago’s Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner « Talking Union http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/change-in-plans-for-chicago-dsa-dinner/#comment-221 Universal Health Care: Theme of Chicago’s Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner « Talking Union Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:37:37 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=109#comment-221 [...] Universal Health Care: Theme of Chicago’s Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner Posted on March 21, 2008 by dsalaborblogmoderator Chicago’s 50th Annual Debs - Thomas - Harrington Dinner features Rose Ann DeMoro, Executive Director of the California Nurses Association / National Nurses Organizing Committee and AFL-CIO Executive Committee member. With Rose Ann DeMoro, the April 25th dinner will have someone well qualified to speak, and speak well and forcefully, on the nation’s need for a national and universal health care program. [Update April 22 update here] [...] [...] Universal Health Care: Theme of Chicago’s Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner Posted on March 21, 2008 by dsalaborblogmoderator Chicago’s 50th Annual Debs - Thomas - Harrington Dinner features Rose Ann DeMoro, Executive Director of the California Nurses Association / National Nurses Organizing Committee and AFL-CIO Executive Committee member. With Rose Ann DeMoro, the April 25th dinner will have someone well qualified to speak, and speak well and forcefully, on the nation’s need for a national and universal health care program. [Update April 22 update here] [...]

]]> Comment on Universal Health Care: Theme of Chicago’s Debs Thomas Harrington Dinner by Change in Plans for Chicago DSA Dinner « Talking Union http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/universal-health-care-theme-of-chicagos-debs-thomas-harrington-dinner/#comment-220 Change in Plans for Chicago DSA Dinner « Talking Union Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:28:37 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=64#comment-220 [...] for Chicago DSA Dinner Posted on April 22, 2008 by dsalaborblogmoderator Chicago’s 50th Annual Debs - Thomas - Harrington Dinner is coming up this weekend. This year’s dinner will honor Les Orear , founder and President [...] [...] for Chicago DSA Dinner Posted on April 22, 2008 by dsalaborblogmoderator Chicago’s 50th Annual Debs - Thomas - Harrington Dinner is coming up this weekend. This year’s dinner will honor Les Orear , founder and President [...]

]]> Comment on A Personal Reflection on the Labor Notes Conference by David Welch http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/first-things-first-a-personal-reflection-on-the-labor-notes-conference/#comment-219 David Welch Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:32:00 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=104#comment-219 Thanks for thoughtful and well written piece. I have had occasion to read nearly all of the other accounts to which you link, and would second the recommendation that all of them are well worth the time to follow up. Thanks for thoughtful and well written piece. I have had occasion to read nearly all of the other accounts to which you link, and would second the recommendation that all of them are well worth the time to follow up.

]]> Comment on Debates, Yes! Assaults, No!- The Labor Notes Conference by David Welch http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/debates-yes-assaults-no-the-labor-notes-conference/#comment-218 David Welch Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:22:20 +0000 http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/?p=103#comment-218 Officers of SEIU have made the claim in various forums that this was a purely peaceful demonstration and that they were the actual victims of assault. To help clarify what did happen, I have developed a fairly extensive compendium of statements about what occurred, including both statements about the event and eyewitness accounts of what happened. Most of those accounts are from those with no affiliation with either side. It is posted here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/15/175916/721/535/495763 Officers of SEIU have made the claim in various forums that this was a purely peaceful demonstration and that they were the actual victims of assault.
To help clarify what did happen, I have developed a fairly extensive compendium of statements about what occurred, including both statements about the event and eyewitness accounts of what happened. Most of those accounts are from those with no affiliation with either side. It is posted here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/15/175916/721/535/495763

]]>