Bush to Mark Labor Day With Union Workers

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sun, Aug. 31, 2003

Bush to Mark Labor Day With Union Workers
DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The nation celebrates Labor Day this year with an estimated 9 million Americans on the unemployment rolls - 700,000 more than on this holiday last year, when President Bush went to a union workers picnic and said he was encouraged about job growth, but "not satisfied."

This year, the president is marking Labor Day in Richfield, Ohio, where he will address members of the International Union of Operating Engineers and their families. Later in the week, Bush is to give economic speeches in Kansas City, Mo., and Indianapolis.

In north-central Ohio, the president planned to push his agenda to create jobs.

The nation's unemployment rate hit a nine-year high of 6.4 percent in June but then edged down to 6.2 percent in July, a possible signal that the economy may be on a comeback. That improvement, however, partly reflected the fact that 500,000 discouraged workers gave up looking for a job and left the labor market. (snip/...)

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/breaking_news/6663856.htm

[buff2]

1. Why would anyone in their right mind.........

want to spend LABOR day with this idiot? Are they all going to thank him for the millions of jobs lossed and loss of pensions and benefits under his dictatorship? Is it going to be a pat on the back and "what a great job you are doing" kind of day? Or will they throw rotten tomatoes at him like he DESERVES?? :puke: Labor day my ass.

[calimary]

2. I hope more than a few of them protest while they're there.

I can't see HOW this asshole will rate any sort of positive reception. It'll be interesting to see the coverage.

[eablair3]

4. agreed. .. Int'l Operating Engineers ?

I'm sure Bush will say what workers want to hear, but his actions are just about the opposite. He's not a friend to labor, at all. It's amazing that the simple rhetoric can often dupe many workers and union members.

Bush's appearances are carefully planned and careful attention is paid to planting the audience so that they will be very receptive. Usually you see him speaking to military members, or the American Enterprise Institute or Heritage Foundation.

Any union that is worth anything would and should not be a place that Bush should get a warm reception. I'd hope that there'd be a lot of dissent and protests there.

Does anyone know much about this union/local? Was there careful planning in selecting this union to speak before?

[JPace]

15. Mass group denial.....

I don't know how so many can pretend that
all is well, it has to be some kind of
group denial going on.

Hope there are representatives there to
demonstrate for the unemployed who have
no voice.

I thought it was the unions that spoke
out for the causes of workers....

[Catshrink]

19. Why would a union member spend Labor Day with that idiot?

Especially since his way of economic growth is to give his buddies tax cuts and send American workers' jobs overseas.

Oh, this pisses me off.

[willie13705]

3. I'm ashamed......

As a Union Sheet Metal Worker in Cleveland, Ohio I am ashamed that Bush will even be in our state on Labor Day. I spoke to a local member of the operating engineers this past Saturday at the Cleveland Labor Day parade and he told us that his international is pushing this get together for an unknown (to its members) reason. I and a group of other concerned workers will be in Richfield, Ohio Monday to let the President know that we are not happy with his job performance so far.

[eablair3]

6. I'd be interested in hearing why this union was chosen

if you're able to find out.

Are the union heads in bed with the Repubs? with Bush? Do they think that Bush is going to give them something in return?

[eablair3]

9. wait a second .... are they defense contractor workers?

Is the Int'l Operating Engineers that are being gathereed workers at defense contractors? That would explain it.

from http://www.iuoe.org/history/history.htm

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), is a progressive, diversified trade union that primarily represents Operating Engineers, who work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and surveyors in the construction industry, and Stationary Engineers, who work in operations and maintenance in building and industrial complexes, and in the service industries. The IUOE also represents nurses and other health industry workers as well as significant numbers of public employees engaged in a wide variety of occupations.

Founded in 1896, theIUOE today has 400,000 members in some 170 local unions throughout the United States and Canada. The IUOE is the 12th largest union in the AFL-CIO. Further, nearly 100 apprenticeships and training programs ensure that IUOE members are highly trained, highly skilled craft workers.

[zekeson]

13. Brown and Root employees? and protest links

That comes to mind. But, of course, BRK is housed out of Houston if I remember correctly and Texas is a good ol' inanely named Right to work state so that is doubtful.

I'm certain this group is * friendly - he never goes anywhere that he doens't get a glowing reception. Wodre how long they had to scour the country to find a Union that would have him? THis is jsut so disgusting. He shouldn't even be allowed to venture outside the WH on Labor Day...

I see this group endorsed Lynn Olman, a repuke.
http://www.butterflyindustries.com/lynnolman/Endorsements.htm

This link has some good protests for the day:
http://cpanews.org/

[number6]

41. me too !!

I like to know what in hell kind of union
would invite bush...

[cmd]

44. From ABC news

Bush has tried to woo some trade and industrial unions, which tend to be more conservative than public and service sector unions. The Operating Engineers union is among the largest labor donors to Republicans, contributing 16 percent of its $1.3 million to the GOP in 2002, and its president, Frank Hanley, has appeared at several previous events with Bush.

[LiberalFighter]

45. Last nite I checked and found out that..

They endorsed a republican. I don't recall if it was a state or federal elected office.

[AWD]

14. I'll see you there, Willie

Several loyal DUers will be there too!

[ewagner]

17. Give 'em hell AWD! n/t

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. That's kinda like partyin' with your executioner.

Bush said "he was encouraged about job growth."

WTF????? He WANTS fewer people working?

He's probably about to use the forest fire logic with this issue...

"The reason we have so many people without jobs is that there are too many people. My solution is to thin out the herd a bit. Johnny Ashcroft and his boys will be setting up testing centers all across the nation so we can get rid of all the weak links..."

Good god, I think the man would do it if he thought he could get away with it.

[eablair3]

7. agreed ... has there been any President worse for labor than Bush?

this guy is the enemy to labor, not only union labor but all labor. It was interesting to see the NOW With Bill Moyers piece about all the millions of non-union white collar jobs that are being shipped out to places like India for corporations "customer support" telephone lines and so forth. The Indian workers give themselves "Americanized" names that American consumers who call the corporations' customer support line won't know about it. Bush is helping this process along, while his buddies (the CEOs, Officers, Directors, and large Shareholders) make millions, and the workers are left with no jobs.

It's just amazing that any union would welcome this guy. But, they do.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

18. I saw that.... If the trend continues, the U.S. will end up being 50

fiefdoms controlled by 50 industrial leaders with the rest of the population working as gardeners.

[mbee]

21. The illigitimate one is even outsourcing his campaign calling to India.

Apparently he can get workers there for $2. per day. You can't get any sicker than the evil people who are currently occupying the White House! This is a great one for the Democratic candidates out there to call bush on the carpet continually for.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

22. Wow! Do you have a link for this?

Can it be confirmed?

We could do a fish dance with Dubya on something like this.

[ewagner]

24. ...fish dance?....n/t

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

29. A Monty Python Sketch

that entailed one person slapping the crap out of another with a fish.

:evilgrin:

[LiberalFighter]

46. I would love to do that to that whistle ass

I wonder what kind of fish would be best?

A mackeral? Northern Pike? A live pirahna?

[indypaul]

8. The lead on this should have been,

"Coupled between fund-raisers" he will visit, etc. etc.

[LynneSin]

10. I'd like to see bush spend Labor Day with the USWA

He'd last 2 whole minutes being surrounded by Steelworkers demanding why Bush is importing their jobs overseas?

[ewagner]

11. Huh?

In north-central Ohio, the president planned to push his agenda to create jobs

So far all I've seen is that tax cuts will create jobs!

Tax cuts are all-purpose cure-all:

If the economy is good...you need a tax cut
If the economy is bad...you need a tax cut

If unemployment is low and jobs are plentiful...you need a tax cut
if unemployment is high and jobs are scarce...you need a tax cut.

If there's a surplus in the treasury...you need a tax cut.
If there's a deficit in the treasury...you need a tax cut.

If you're at peace...you need atax cut
If you're at war.....you need a tax cut.

How long are people going to Buy Georgie one-note's BULLSHIT?!

[DieboldMustDie]

12. I heard he was addressing the ABTSA...

The American Brotherhood of Toadies, Sycophants & Asskissers. :evilgrin:

[ewagner]

16. I heard

he's a charter member and President Emeritus

[Catshrink]

20. I'd like to see Bush and Will Pitt on the same agenda...

Will's union speech is so eloquent -- the union members would cheer him and boo the imposter.

editied to give link to Will's speech thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=251767

[Gman]

23. Looks like the Carpenters have competition for being the FI's pet

union. The article's not specific, but it's probably some small local with a renegade local president that's republican.

[JohnKleeb]

25. yea I bet your right

[Kat45]

26. He has a fucking nerve.

I'm appalled at this one. He's an enemy to workers. I wonder if the workers are being forced to attend this fiasco. Of course, only friendly faces will be up front, in camera range. With some black folks thrown in for good measure.

[Rose Siding]

27. Why does Brazille concede Bush any strengths at all?

This MYTH that he's "strong" on nat'l security is one big hoodwink. I just don't see that making our enemies stronger has much to do with keeping us secure.

He can make phone calls and send others into danger. I'm no safer, THEY certainly are no safer. Lots of people are dead. What's secure?

Just Jr's job if Donna keeps talking him up.

[UnapologeticLiberal]

28. Why did the union invite him to speak?

Is this union different from the unions that have hosted presidential forums? People in those unions seem to hate Bush, based on the applause they give to any Democrat who takes a good potshot at him.

[JohnKleeb]

32. Simple they are fucking morons

Any union man who votes republican today must be dumb. No offense to them but Shrub loves union busting. I take it this union was forced or the union head is a fool.

[realFedUp]

30. Does this involve shovels?

following the elephants?

[TahitiNut]

31. So, he'll lift his leg and pee on a calendar?

What makes him think they'll do the same? :silly:

[Peace_2_Everyone]

33. Remember this made for media event

the next time you question why people are not anxious to join unions. I have read statements that employees are “browbeaten” because they will not push for a union at their workplace.

Politicians, corporate executives, and now Union members are selling out the American worker.

Anything, short of w being booed off stage will be a sellout to working Americans.

Where is the solidarity in today’s American Unions?

Nothing to see here, just Union members standing up (all alone) for their rights

http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/2429170/detail.html

[InkAddict]

34. Mums the Word for Presidential Visit

Read it and :puke:

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/6652603.htm

ABJ also reports that this Training Center is the site of an illness that sickened 20 people in 9/01 (picnic food?)

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/local/6661146.htm

[farmboxer]

35. Bush, The Anti-Labor President

For Bush to speak on Labor Day, is like Satan giving a sermon at Christmas!

[Nottingham]

36. None of the Bushes has been for the Working Man!

and No increase in Job growth shows it! :bounce:

Unemployment brings cheap labor!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

37. Kick for the Labor Day crowd....

Why do Republicans even pretend to observe labor day?

[eablair3]

38. This guy in on talking now

his "invitation only audience" isn't booing him, ... any word on protesters.

of course, he's talking about how he reduced taxes ... supposedly to help the economy and to help workers.

[drummerjohn]

39. Inviting shrub to speak at a union event on Labor Day...

is akin to the NAACP inviting David Duke to
speak on MLK's birthday.

[Bombero1956]

40. or

the chickens inviting Col. Sanders over for lunch

[really-looney]

42. Strange but I think that International Union of Operating Engineers

was one of only two unions invited to the Austin for the economic summit. The other was the Carpenters. The President of that union (carpenters)is a big Bush supporter and left the AFL-CIO

[w4rma]

43. Uh oh. Bush photo-op with labor. He's about to dump on labor. (n/t)