Daily Kos: Nothing's Too Good for the Working Class

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/29/10529/451/247/678094


by NathanNewman
Mon Dec 29, 2008 at 07:53:32 AM PST

Early last century, the press corps attacked Bill Haywood, leader of the leftwing "Wobblies" labor union, for smoking expensive cigars. Mocking their demand for hairshirt ascetiscm, Haywood declared, "Nothing's too good for the working class." Even as the press worships luxury and excess by the titans of industry, the smallest luxuries by labor leaders or even their members are treated as proof of the moral degeneracy of unions.

Such is the most recent attack on the United Auto Workers, the rightwing moral condemnation of their education and retreat center at Black Lake, Michigan.

* NathanNewman's diary :: ::
*

The response of the media and UAW critics is to demand that the union sell-off Black Lake. Of course, not only didn't the financial bailout not involve restraints on the income of executives, bond holders and investors, but there were no reviews of the wealth of individuals and demands they sell off homes or other assets.

Part of the supposed story is that the UAW "lost money" on the resort in recent years. Considering the union was running ongoing conferences and training sessions for thousands of its members, one might expect crack journalists to ask how much the UAW would have spent on doing those trainings at hotels or other alternatives over that period? They of course didn't since that would actually require understanding why the union made the investment in the first place. So let's get a description of the programas described to the members for whom the program was created:

Since the center opened in 1970, thousands of UAW families have participated in the Family Scholarship Program for a weeklong experience that combines education with relaxation. Here's how it works:

During the day, parents participate in workshops with lively discussions and interactive exercises while children go to age-appropriate day camps with creative arts, music, games, athletics and swimming. The age groupings are 3-7 and 8-11.

Youngsters ages 12-15 will enjoy union involvement workshops, golf, swimming and gym games. And teens ages 16-18 are offered a program to prepare them for the working world.

Other afternoon and evening activities include laps at the indoor pool, a walk on the Black Lake beach, various sports and Karaoke Night. In addition, golfers can play the award-winning Black Lake Golf Club.

The UAW pays for all lodging, food and program costs. Participants may choose to pay for other things such as group photographs, gift shop items, golf or activities in nearby communities...To be eligible for a family scholarship, you must be a UAW member in good standing for at least a year and never have attended the scholarship program. This summer's three sessions are July 6-11, July 13-18 and July 20-25 (which also offers a session in Spanish.)


FULL story at link.

[onethatcares]

1. when I was growing up in the 50s

The UAW always put on a Christmas Party for its' members kids at a local movie theater. We got a low budget movie, free popcorn and a drink and maybe two presents from a union guy dressed as Santa Claus. I don't begrudge the UAW any thing.

[notadmblnd]

3. there's always been Christmas parties at union halls and a picnic in the summer

Never had the opportunity to go to Black Lake. However, I know people that have.

[aquart]

2. Let's go back and insist all AIG execs have only one home.

This is beginning to appeal to me.