Blunt's Union Bashing Makes National News
The Blunt administration's anti-union bias is well established, but now it is getting national attention.
Check out this story from today's WSJ:
Several Republican governors are trying to weaken organized labor in the one place it has remained strong: representing public employees.
First-term Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt rescinded collective-bargaining rights for state employees this year, undoing an executive order issued by a Democratic predecessor, and has eliminated a state board overseeing union elections for public employees. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, a former Bush White House budget director, overturned an executive order that for 15 years provided collective-bargaining rights for that state's public employees. And Maryland's Robert Ehrlich, backed by the state Supreme Court, suspended a 2% pay increase unions had negotiated for state employees with his predecessor.
It kind of makes you wonder why prominent labor lawyers like Ron Gladney are going around apologizing for this administration doesn't it? He's even gone so far as to give Blunt the maximum contribution and to host a fundraiser for Lt. Governor Kinder.Â
Shame on Blunt, Kinder and Gladney.
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Perhaps the State Employees Should Strike?
Missouri isn't Oregon, but I lived out there in 1995 when the state employees went on strike and shut down the state government. They got their contract approved in short order. It is impossible to run a state with temps. Perhaps that is a lesson Master Blunt needs to learn first hand?
Can't Strike
Missouri state employees are not allowed to strike. --It's in the State Constitution. As a state employee, I wish to God we could. The unions that we do have are worthless. They're nothing more than "benefit associations" that collect dues and then try to sell you internet services and pre-paid legal services. --Thoroughly worthless. Â
It is encouraging to see that
It is encouraging to see that a “liberal†paper such as the Wall Street Journal is pointing out the anti-union actions of the Blunt Administration. It is shameful that Ron Gladney and others in labor are closing their eyes to the fact that Blunt views organized labor as enemy #1.
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How much longer will rank-and-file union members sit by while the Blunt administration guts labor protections and their leadership sits by and praises the Governor?
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Hopefully Gladney will soon be seen for what he is: an opportunist making money at the expense of working people.
It is not just labor lawyers
It is not just labor lawyers who are taking advantage of union members. Congressman Lacy Clay, a supposed friend of labor, crossed a picket line of public employees at Clyde Miller School. I was there walking picket and saw it. He wasn't alone. Three city aldermen, all allegedly Democrats, also crossed. The only politician to refuse to cross was Mayor Slay. Hats off to the Mayor. The actions of the others is shameful.Â
What message does this send?Â
Regardless of the message, I bet the congressman will be begging for labor dollars come next election. And lap dog labor will almost certainly shell out the money without even questioning the actions.Â
Politicians
It's a shame that the Democratic Party suddenly, is so concerned about the break up that is going on in the Labor Movement. Where were they when R's were planning it's destruction. Not one Democrat has pounded their fists for the working men and women of this country in terms of Labor Law reform that favors working people instead of CORPORATE AMERICA.
If the our party does't take a part in the reconstruction of the the Labor Movement for what it's about and not how much they can get out of them.
It's going to be a nu-cler winter.