(Democratic presidential prospect) Edwards pressures Smithfield CEO for union recognition

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

Edwards pressures Smithfield CEO for union recognition


By MIKE BAKER
Associated Press Writer
RALEIGH, N.C. | Democratic presidential prospect John Edwards is throwing his weight behind labor activists who are trying to pressure the world's largest hog slaughterhouse into recognizing a union without an employee vote.

Edwards, in a letter to Smithfield Foods CEO Larry Pope, urged the company to remain neutral during an organizing campaign at the Smithfield Packing Co. plant in Tar Heel. Smithfield executives have said they would support a secret-ballot vote, but union leaders argue the company won't allow a fair election.

"I hope and expect that you will protect the right of your workers in North Carolina and across the country to form a union and bargain collectively," Edwards wrote in the letter dated Monday and released by his campaign Wednesday.

The former North Carolina senator has become a leading advocate for unions and labor groups. For two years after his failed bid for the White House in 2004, Edwards traveled the nation, joining picket lines with the likes of Teamsters President James Hoffa and pushing for a higher minimum wage.

Read more: http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/APF/704043891

[More Than A Feeling]

1. Awesome!

I know its unrealistic, but I'm imagining President Edwards writing letters to CEOs, pressuring them to allow unions, in the Oval Office. :rofl:

It isn't unrealistic that he would be president, but he could influence CEOs in far better ways than letter-writing in that position.

[rurallib]

2. Way to go John Edwards.

[Cobalt Violet]

3. K & R

:kick:

[The Sushi Bandit]

4. DUPE!

from several days ago...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3202162&mesg_id=3202162