Labor unions adjust to new reality under Obama

[zoosareprisons]

http://news.yahoo.com/labor-unions-adjust-reality-under-obama-090250701.html

"unions have begun shifting money and resources out of Democratic congressional campaigns and back to the states in a furious effort to reverse or limit GOP measures that could wipe out union rolls.

The AFL-CIO's president, Richard Trumka, says it's part of a new strategy for labor to build an independent voice separate from the Democratic Party."

Very interesting development in my opinion.

[Omaha Steve]

1. Welcome to the DU

Be sure to stop by the Labor Forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=367

[zoosareprisons]

5. Thank you

[TBF]

2. I agree completely.

Welcome to DU.

[zoosareprisons]

Thank you. A strong indepenent labor voice is important.

[Brickbat]

3. I've been agitating for this for some time and fully support it. K&R.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. "I've had a snootful of that shit!"

'For too long, we've been left after Election Day holding a canceled check, waving it about — `Remember us? Remember us? Remember us?' — asking someone to pay a little attention to us,' recalled Trumka, who like many union leaders was frustrated with the failure of the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and other needed labor law reforms. 'Well, I don't know about you, but I've had a snootful of that shit!'

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/06/12/984484/-Unions-Warning-Dems:-Weve-had-a-snootful-of-that-shit!

Go Trumka!

[coalition_unwilling]

6. Long overdue, imho. Labor needs to build not only an

independent voice, but an independent party, leaving Dems and Repukes to fight over the minority of right-wing voters in this country.

[zoosareprisons]

8. A Labor Party in the U.S.? Where do I sign up?

[Tesha]

11. Well I'd be perfectly happy if Labor helped us rip our Party back from the filthy hands of the DLC..

...and their successors/cronies.

And in my city, my local Democratic city committee
seems to be doing just that!

Tesha

[TBF]

9. Agree.

We're not supposed to advocate 3rd parties on DU, but I am 100% with you.

[zoosareprisons]

10. Oops. No harm no foul I hope.

[Divernan]

14. Your OP didn't advocate. You just reported a development.

No foul there, in my book. And welcome to DU!

[coalition_unwilling]

12. You know something? I really don't care any more. If the mods

decide to start selectively enforcing silly rules that inhibit free discussion, there is little I can do to stop it or them.

It is like if, for example, back in 1858, WhigUnderground.com declared that no one could advocate a new anti-slavery party. :)

[TBF]

17. Well it certainly should be discussed somewhere -

Trumka is doing some heavy lifting right now, and it would be great to support him in a bigger way.

[Oceansaway]

7. K&R..n/t

[Riley18]

13. Thank you.

[fasttense]

15. And yet sometimes labor has sided with RepubliCONS

As when the Air Traffic Controller's Union sided with Raygun before the election. And then Raygun decimated their union (after he committed treason with terrorist and got himself elected). Can't trust the RepubliCONS and can't seem to trust Democratic leaders either.

[MannyGoldstein]

20. Unions have changed course since 30 years ago.

They realized that appeasement doesn't work.

[Brickbat]

16. There's folks of every color, they're ridin' side by side, from the swamps of Louisiana, and across

the Great Divide.

From the wheat fields and the orchards, and the lowing cattle plains, they're rolling on to victory on the Farmer-Labor Train.

This train rolled into Washington one bright and happy day,
When she pulled into the station, you could hear the people say
"There's that Farmer-Labor Special, she's full of union men,
Heading for the White House on the Farmer-Labor train."

-- Woody Guthrie, "Farmer-Labor Train"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0rEtUcKOcU

[Divernan]

21. Thanks! Great lyrics!

[lunatica]

18. kick'd and rec'd

They declared war on unions in many states. I say let's give them war then.

[MrScorpio]

19. Frankly, that's where the money should go, to the states

Besides, Obama's coffers are mighty impressive indeed with all the small donors so far.

Union cash for the states does the best good.