SEIU could sever ties with California Democratic Party

[question everything]

Source: LA Times

California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton says one of the state's most politically powerful unions has threatened to cut off funding for the party over his support for a group that has broken away from the labor organization. The rift could drive a wedge between the party and one of its most generous donors. The state council of the Service Employees International Union has directed $700,000 to the Democratic Party since 2007 and millions more to Democratic candidates and causes.

Burton said SEIU’s California president, Bill Lloyd, made the threat as Burton was set to appear last week at a San Francisco fundraiser for the splinter group, the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Burton said that he was championing union workers "when Andy Stern was in college." He hailed the breakaway union's leader, Sal Rosselli, as a lifelong friend and “one of the strongest labor leaders in this state.”

Mary Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for SEIU’s state council, would neither confirm nor deny any warning from Lloyd to Burton. “Formal discussions haven’t been had with our board," which would have to vote to cut off funding, she said.


Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/seiu-could-sever-ties-with-california-democratic-party.html

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Will this spread nationally? I doubt it is limited to California.

[IndianaGreen]

1. There are some real issues involving the leadership of SEIU

This is a squabble between rival unions that has no bearing of the Democratic Party.

[msongs]

2. personal power trip by the new jimmy hoffa - making threats n going all thug lol nt

[IndianaGreen]

3. Workers' eyewitness reports on SEIU's election fraud in Fresno

Workers' eyewitness reports on SEIU's election fraud in Fresno

Workers tell how they were threatened and intimidated by SEIU staff who broke the law to tamper with their ballots in this summer’s union election.

http://www.nuhw.org/latest-news/2009/11/18/workers-eyewitness-reports-on-seius-election-fraud-in-fresno.html

[sethgrogen]

4. Thanks for that link.

This hits close to home.

[demosincebirth]

5. Sounds like a battle between the entrenched officials and a new wing (progressive) of the union

[Unvanguard]

6. As unions go, SEIU is a pretty bad one.

I'll support their struggles against employers, but as far as inter-union fights go, whichever side they're not on is probably the right one...