Boy Scout Scab Earns Union-Busting Merit Badge

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2009/11/17/boy-scout-scab-earns-union-busting-merit-badge/

Snip from the end of the story: Fortunately, Balzano says “ probably going to let this one go” so Anderson doesn’t have to worry about some Parks and Recreation goons coming to his house and breaking his hoes.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 1:57 PM
Joe Carter

I thought all the jokes about heavy-handed labor unions were, well, just jokes. Apparently not:

In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.

Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of the city’s largest municipal union.

Nick Balzano, president of the local Service Employees International Union, told Allentown City Council Tuesday that the union is considering filing a grievance against the city for allowing Anderson to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path at Kimmets Lock Park.

“We’ll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails,” Balzano told the council.

Balzano said Saturday he isn’t targeting Boy Scouts. But given the city’s decision in July to lay off 39 SEIU members, Balzano said “there’s to be no volunteers.” No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path.

Fortunately, Balzano says “ probably going to let this one go” so Anderson doesn’t have to worry about some Parks and Recreation goons coming to his house and breaking his hoes.

[geek tragedy]

1. Not smart on the local union head's part. nt

[ixion]

2. The Union going after a Boy Scout working for free to become an Eagle Scout...

yeah, that's going to play well. :eyes:

[MercutioATC]

3. The Boy Scouts discriminates against homosexuals and atheists.

Granted, most people don't care, but it's something to collaterally consider in cases like this...if only for sensational reasons.

("Union protests amateur homophobic scab in the wake of the firing of scores of experienced union workers")

[MSchreader]

4. It's not just the kid's fault

The Scoutmaster, Troop Committee and Area Council had to sign off on his project in order for it to qualify for fulfilling the Eagle Scout requirement. That it passed by all of them without notice (or, more likely, passed by them without any concern) is more the issue than this well-meaning kid. If the goons should show up anywhere, it should be at the Area Council offices and Scoutmaster's house. They should have known better.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

5. Hmmmm...

"If the goons should show up....

GOONS? :wtf: Where'd you acquire that descriptive tag? FUX NOISE?

Don't you mean Union THUGS?

PLEASE.

"They should have known better"

I agree.

[MSchreader]

6. Shoulda put it in quotes

Took it from the OP article.

And be sure to put your bait back in the tackle box. It stinks.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

7. Thanks for stopping by!

:eyes:

..."put your bait back in the tackle box"

You come to a Labor Forum on the Democratic Underground, use terms like "goons" to describe Union officials, and accuse ME of using flamebait?

YOU FUNNEE!!!!



Welcome to my ignore, COMRADE. You're the 2nd to have made it, no small "achievement"--Congrats!

Buh-Bye.

[MSchreader]

9. I am as union as they come

I've been a grassroots union organizer for 12 years. I've been beaten up by your much-loved union officials for organizing in ways they didn't like (didn't help that it was a mob-run union). I spent an entire year packing heat when I went to work because I received death threats from the officials. I consider them to be the anti-worker, anti-union elements. So, yeah, if I make a slip of the tongue and forget the quotes around the word goons when talking about them, I think I've earned the right to do it.

You want to put me on ignore, be my guest. But as my father is fond of saying: "Ignore 'em" is the two-thirds of ignoramus.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

10. Meh!

:nopity:

Sounds like dad's 9/10ths. :hi:

You should add this to your sig line:

[MSchreader]

11. You are quite a troll, aren't you?

:crazy: :eyes:

I imagine you're not even a union member, just some middle-class kiddie looking to play radical chic. Go back to your grad school, junior. Let the people who actually hold union cards talk.

(You wanted this, you got it.)

[Earth Bound Misfit]

12. MORE abject arrogance memorialized in condemnation and contempt.

Is this your purpose in life? To be a JackAZZ?

You're very good at it!

[Omaha Steve]

8. Several union officials involved in this resigned from office a week or so later

I posted it. I'm not sure which forum. Goggle news should take you right to it. I'm out the door to work.

OS