We gotta grow some jobs, and that's a fact, and we probably aren't going to be able to do it with big ol' jobs programs funded by the Federal Government, what with today's politics and all, and that means if this Administration wants to stay in the jobs game they're going to have to find some smaller and more creative ways to do it.
They are also going to have to come up with ideas that are pretty much "bulletproof", meaning that they are so hard to object to that even Allen West and Louie Gohmert will not want to be on record saying "no no no!"; alternatively, solutions that work around the legislative process entirely could represent the other form of "bulletproof-ery".
Well, I have one of those "maybe bulletproof" ideas for you today, and it has to do with how "Made in USA" the things are that our Government buys.
News is suddenly moving so fast that it's becoming hard for me to keep up; that's why we're not finishing the story today that we just began Tuesday. You know, the one about Titan Cement suing two North Carolina residents who appear to be doing nothing more than speaking the truth.
Unfortunately, other important news has forced itself to the front of the line, and it's going to demand that we break schedule, whether we like it or not.
That's why today we're going to be talking about Wisconsin, and how workers there are fighting back against the State's Republican legislators and Governor, who seem to have gone out of their way this past three weeks to govern without the consent of the governed.
It's kind of chilly today in Wisconsin...but I can assure you, things are heating up fast-and it ain't because of spring.
I'll be blogging all weekend from Madison. Hope you'll stop by and check it out.
I feel enormously fortunate to be able to go. What's happening there and in state houses around the country is enormously important and I can't wait to be a part of it.
Now let me pack this bag and get to my butt to LGA...
There's a lot of ways to be petty and cheap and stupid, and a lot of ways to stick it to a program you don't like, and by extension, the clients of that program...and this week the House Republicans have embarked on an effort to combine the two into one petty, cheap, and stupid way to stick it to the clients of Social Security and the workers who administer the program.
They're going to sell it to you, if they can, as a way to "lower the deficit", or words similar...but what this is really about is making the actual Social Security program work less well-because, after all, if a program is popular today, the best way to make it less so is to apply a bit of "treat 'em like their cars were impounded" to every interaction customers have with the system.
And what better way to make sure that happens...then to aggressively demoralize everyone who works down at the ol' Social Security office?
The good folks at the Buffalo Beast win the internet and expose for all to see just who these people actually work for. I'll give you a hint: it ain't you and me. (link currently down because the story seems to have blown their site up, but Buffalo Pundit has it as well)
Along the way we learn that this really is all about straight up union busting and that the phrase "one of us" carries a lot of weight between our billionaire overlords and those in their employ.
A million kudos to the Buffalo Beast folks. This is just amazing stuff.
Koch Whore
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker answers his master's call
"David Koch": We'll back you any way we can. What we were thinking about the crowd was, uh, was planting some troublemakers.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker: You know, well, the only problem with that-because we thought about that...
WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS IS REAL. NO NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT. THERE ARE NO INNOCENT. -MURPHY
You really have to listen to this. It's simply amazing.
There's a "We Are One" solidarity rally happening right now in front of Fox News HQ in midtown Manhattan. Starting to get some pics. Note the cheeseheads!
I originally posted this over the weekend on the Manhattan Young Democrats website but I got a lot of positive feedback for the post and so I wanted to share it with my friends here at TAP.
I was at the gym on Thanksgiving Day, doing a preemptive strike against my massive Turkeyday indulgence, when I spotted a typical news story on everyone's favorite rightwing propaganda machine, Fox News. The segment featured an analyst talking about TSA and stated that "Collective Bargaining Rights for TSA Employees Could Soon Be Extended." Of course like any good Fox News segment dedicated to bashing the left, the undistinguishable rightwing commentator went on and on with how terrible a union for TSA workers would be and how it would danger the public by slowing down the way in which TSA decisionmaking is made.
Then the commentator went on to complain about the overnight nature of the new TSA regulations.
This irony is lost on many but let me set the record straight. Besides from the fact that a union for TSA workers would be an objectively good thing for America, the presence of a TSA union would have greatly changed the way in which these new security regulations were enacted. Allow me to explain.
In solidarity with his friend Bingchester, who is not drinking Snapple, my 14 month old son has stopped drinking Mott's apple juice, out of respect for the American worker.
My son Quintus, whom many of you TAP folks have met (pictured here with State Senator Jose Peralta) loves apple juice. So we bought another brand, which he seems to like.
Take Action: Visit Bingchester's post here at TAP for links to actions you can take against the wage cuts, in addition to not buying their products. Click here for a list of brands.
Sometimes stories happen because of planning; other times serendipity intervenes, which is how we got to the conversation we'll be having today.
In an exchange of comments on the Blue Hampshire site, I proposed an idea that could be of real value to unions, workers...and surprisingly, employers.
If things worked out correctly, not only would lots of people feel a real desire to have unions represent them, but employers would potentially be coming to unions looking to forge relationships, and, just to make it better, this plan bypasses virtually all of the tools and techniques employers use to shut out union organizers.
Since I just thought this up myself, I'm really not sure exactly how practical the whole thing is, and the last part of the discussion today will be provided by you, as I ask you to sound off on whether this plan could work, and if so, how it could be made better.
It's a new week...so let's all put our heads together and rebuild the labor movement, shall we?
Hat tip to Celeste Katz, the new blogger at the Daily Politics (recently taking over for Liz Benjamin), for this story.
Fresh off his official kick-off for Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman has already landed his first major announcement; the backing of SEIU 1199, one of the bigger and most influential of the New York labor community.
The leadership of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East has decided to back state Sen. Eric Schneiderman in his bid for state attorney general, the Daily Politics has learned.
"Our decision to do an early endorsement is an indication of how strongly we feel about Sen. Schneiderman's candidacy," an 1199 insider told the DP. "His record on issues important to working familes and his commitment to progressive values makes him the strongest candidate for AG."
1199 is a major player in New York politics. They are =200,000 members strong in New York are possess a mobilized and active rank and file. Their support will be key for Schneiderman if he has any hope of expanding his base of support out of New York City and into the suburbs. Furthermore, 1199's endorsement could open the floodgates for other unions to endorse Schneiderman, who is likely the most progressive AG candidate in the race but could suffer from perceived electability issues.
This is a good grab by Schneiderman. Let's see if he can keep up the recent momentum.
Slowly but surely, my campaign for Rensselaer County Legislature moves ahead. This week, I was pleased to learn I have received the endorsement of the Troy Area Labor Council. I was interviewed by about a dozen people, representatives of a number of unions ranging from the New York State United Teachers to the Bricklayers. They asked interesting and probing questions regarding my views of labor in general, and health care reform, the Employee Free Choice Act, and much more in particular.
The largest public employees union in New York - CSEA - announced today that they will support Gillibrand for Senate in the 2010 elections.
CSEA President Danny Donohue said Senator Gillibrand established a strong working relationship with CSEA during her years in the House of Representatives and she has continued to impress with her hard work and fresh ideas. Donohue made the announcement during a meeting of CSEA's 122 member statewide Board of Directors today.
"Senator Gillibrand is an important ally for CSEA members and other working people," Donohue said. "She understands the pressures that our members experience on and off the job and she has consistently worked with us. At a time when our state and nation face extraordinary challenges, we need extraordinary individuals representing New Yorkers in the US Senate."
"We are proud to make this announcement now and without any reservation because we know Senator Gillibrand will continue to serve New Yorkers well.
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of CSEA and the 300,000 members-hardworking New Yorkers in every part of our state. We have a lot of work to do together to move forward on President Obama's agenda to get America's economy working again, create good-paying jobs and repair our nation's broken health care system," Gillibrand said.
CSEA joins a growing number of New York unions that have lined up behind Gillibrand's campaign, including New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1500 (UFCW), New York State Pipe Trades Association, New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), National Federation of Federal Employees, New York State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and Office and Professional Employees Union.
I am actually a member of CSEA. I just received my membership card in the mail a few days ago. So this endorsement is excellent on many levels.
The strong labor backing Gillibrand has received will help her, not only in a primary, but also in the general election. As Gillibrand's profile grows and she becomes more widely known, it will be tough for anyone to put up a strong fight against her. That goes for Democrats and Republicans.
She is a very strong representative who knows that listening to her constituents, being open (her sunlight initiatives are a rarity in Washington D.C.) and showing leadership is key to winning over New Yorkers who are looking for her to replace Hillary Clinton. She has shown the ability to do all of that and has even shown an ability to embrace the progressive movement and netroots and fight for the same causes we have been battling for.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand received more support from the organized labor community today when two unions announced that they have endorsed Gillibrand for Senate.
The New York State Pipe Trades Association and the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153 backed Gillibrand in her bid for election next year.
Both unions, along with past unions that have backed Gillibrand, have mentioned her work on key labor issues, including the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), fair pay for women and other important issues.
Working men and women from across New York are touting Senator Gillibrand's solid commitment to the Employee Free Choice Act, paycheck fairness for women, along with her efforts to provide health care for 9/11 rescue workers.
"We are proud to endorse Senator Gillibrand for her election in 2010," said Richard Roberts, President of the NY State Pipe Trades Association, which represents plumbers, steamfitters, and sprinklerfitters across the state. "Throughout her time in Congress, Senator Gillibrand has gone to the mat for working families in New York State, showing incredible commitment to the issues we care most about. In particular, we are proud of her leadership on efforts to provide health care to the rescue workers at the world Trade Center and pass the Employee Free Choice Act."
"Kirsten Gillibrand is the kind of Senator our thousands of members can be proud of," said Larry Bulman, Secretary-Treasurer, NY State Pipe Trades Association. "In just four short months on the job, she has demonstrated her commitment to the issues that matter most to our members."
"Kirsten Gillibrand has established herself as a strong advocate for working people," said James Cahill, International Representative for the NY State Pipe Trades Association. "She will work with President Obama to fix this economy and ensure good-paying jobs in New York."
"Kirsten is a true champion for all of us in New York and across America who have been working harder for less and getting squeezed by the fall of this economy," said Mike Goodwin, President of the OPEIU, which has 125,000 members nationwide and 25,000 members in both the private and public sectors in New York City, including New York hotels, the New York Stock Exchange, health insurance companies, manufacturing companies, universities, security companies and teachers in the Archdiocese of New York."
"She knows what's at stake for us," continued Kistler. "She's brought new life to EFCA and is fighting for paycheck fairness and better wages for all of us. She's brought a tenacity to the job that we are confident will help rebuild this economy with the good-paying jobs and affordable health care we need."
"I am honored to have the endorsements of OPEIU and the Pipe Trades Association," said Senator Gillibrand. "It is time we have an economy that works for all our workers, and I am proud to partner with working families to help President Obama create jobs and fix this economy."
Since she first joined Congress, Gillibrand has been a proud original co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act. She also co-sponsored legislation to increase the minimum wage, and has been an outspoken advocate for comprehensive health care reform to provide affordable, quality care to every man, woman, and child. Senator Gillibrand has earned a near perfect career rating from the AFL-CIO.
More endorsements for Gillibrand will only strengthen her for a primary challenge, which is still likely to occur. How strong that challenge is, however, remains to be seen. While Rep. Carolyn Maloney is said to be a potential challenger, other names aren't being touted as serious contenders for the job.
These endorsements are crucial for Gillibrand and they highlight her work as a senator and as a member of the House of Representatives. She has made workers a priority and that is reflected in these endorsements.
Nationally, the newspaper business is in a depression, due mostly to the Great Recession's impact on advertising and partly to stupid decisions made by newspaper chains large and small.
But many newspapers are still profitable, if less so than before, on an operating basis, and some of them see the current crisis as an opportunity to screw their employees.
This diary will be about one such profitable newspaper -- the Albany Times Union, the major daily for the Capital District, owned by the billionaire Hearst family.
In early April, the TU unilaterally canceled its contract with the Newspaper Guild, which represents about 240 people in the newsroom, the sales staff, and elsewhere.
The Guild is fighting back, taking out ads and billboards encouraging people to cancel their TU subscriptions.
I've been a regular commenter on Capital Confidential, the political blog of the Albany Times Union, since it began about four years ago (no links, for reasons laid out below).
CapCon features posts by the TU's Capitol bureau journalists on what's happening on their beats and a daily aggregation of statewide political news, with comments by people like me underneath. It has been a lively place for partisan commenters -- during the Sweeney/Gillibrand contest in 2006, some posts attracted 100-plus comments.
It's a quieter place now, even though the current race in NY-20 has generated lots of comments, many by me.
That election has not yet been decided, but I'm not commenting at CapCon anymore, about Tedisco/Murphy or anything else, because last week the Hearst billionaires who own the TU unilaterally canceled their contract with the Newspaper Guild, which represents about 240 people in the newsroom, the sales staff, and elsewhere.
SEIU launched a new TV spot in the NY-20 race today. I guess it shouldn't surprise anyone that they are working the Obama endorsement as well. Not sure of the points on the buy, but I have a feeling that plenty of people in the district will be seeing this ad as well as the DNC's "Obama Supports Murphy" ad over the final weekend of the race.
Or, at least that what he is threatening. After failing to wrest concessions from the public sector unions that represent most state employees, Paterson says he's going to put almost 9,000 jobs on the chopping block.
Citing a $16.2 billion budget deficit that appears to be growing larger by the day, Gov. David Paterson this afternoon said his administration will eliminate 8,900 jobs, starting this summer.
"This is not a decision that has been reached lightly," said a letter that went out minutes ago from Paterson's state operations director Dennis Whalen.
"However, given the fact that savings through labor concessions were not achieved, Governor Paterson was forced to make this difficult decision for the good of the entire state."
Budget Division spokesman Jeffrey Gordon said the job cuts will probably start in July and they apply to "full-time equivalents," which means some of the target might be reached by attrition.
In his message to agency heads, Whalen said they will be providing updates and bulletins over the next few weeks.
Still unknown was where most of the cuts may fall, by geography and by agency.
That's pretty damn harsh, especially given that huge chunk of change we just got from the feds, funds that were supposed keep states from having to lay off staff in the middle of a severe recession.
Dennis Whalen's full letter is in the extended entry.
UPDATE: Malcolm Smith's office just released this statement:
These are difficult times and no segment of the state is immune to the harsh reality of the fiscal crisis. We urge the union leadership who represent the public sector workforce to step up and renegotiate a fair agreement that is consistent with the principle of shared sacrifice all New Yorkers must accept during times of economic distress. Public employees are among the most vital contributors to our workforce, but at the same time, they must also be our partners as we strive to change the structure of our state's budget and get New York's economy back on track.
The number of U.S. workers continuing to claim jobless benefits notched a fresh record in the second week of February, Labor Department data showed on Thursday, while new claims for aid were the highest since 1982.
The number of people remaining on the benefits roll after drawing an initial week of assistance increased by 114,000 to a 5.112 million in the week ended Feb. 14, the most recent week for which data is available. The so-called continued claims topped every estimate in a Reuters poll of 15 economists, which had a consensus forecast of 5.00 million.
Initial claims for state unemployment insurance benefits increased to a seasonally adjusted 667,000 in the week ended Feb. 21 from a revised 631,000 the prior week, the Labor Department said. It was the highest reading since October 1982, when claims reached 695,000.
The year-long U.S. recession has savaged the labor market and sent the unemployment rate soaring, with some economists fearing it will pierce 9 percent in 2009 from 7.6 percent in January and mount further next year.
It would seem that the first skirmish in the looming battle over the Employee Free Choice Act is finally over. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee just voted to send the nomination of Hilda Solis for Secretary of Labor to the full Senate for a vote. Only bootlicking scrub Pat Roberts and certifiably batsh*t insane whackado Tom Coburn voted no.
Rep. Hilda Solis edged closer Wednesday to winning confirmation as the nation's next labor secretary, after more than a month of delays over questions about her husband's unpaid taxes and her work for a pro-union group.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee cleared her nomination in a voice vote with only two Republicans voting against her. The action sends the nomination to the full Senate for a final vote likely this week.
...
Republicans had already stalled her confirmation for weeks after raising questions about her role as a board member and treasurer of American Rights at Work, a nonprofit group working to pass a bill to make it easier for workers to form unions.
The wrangling over Solis' ties to organized labor is seen as a precursor to a bitter fight to come over the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as "card check" - a bill organized labor is pushing that would make it easier for workers to form unions. Business groups and most Republicans adamantly oppose the measure.
Next up is what will certainly be a rough, if not extremely entertaining, fight on the Senate floor. Expect to see GOP senators go the full freakin' wingnut over Solis and EFCA. Also expect to see the utter contempt that these folks have for working people and their concerns on full, ugly display.
