Labor After (Before?) Card Check

Matt Welch | April 8, 2009

Say what you will about Washington Post op-ed union shill Harold Meyerson–he knows his labor movement. And he's got interesting news today of Big Labor's political reorganization:

After meetings in Maryland this week, the presidents of the two federations and of the nation's 12 largest unions -- including the National Education Association, which heretofore has not belonged to any labor federation -- announced the formation of the National Labor Coordinating Committee, an interim body that could pave the way for labor's reunification by forming a new federation with roughly 16 million members.

The committee will be headed by David Bonior, the former Michigan congressman and House Democratic whip who was the foremost congressional opponent of both the Reagan administration's support for Nicaraguan contras and the Clinton administration's support for free-trade legislation with China and other repressive regimes. Bonior, who headed former senator John Edwards's 2008 presidential campaign, might possibly emerge as the head of the new federation. He is currently president of American Rights at Work, a pro-union advocacy group that has been coordinating the campaign for the Employee Free Choice Act [...]

With star power like that, what could go wrong! Sarcasm aside, what's interesting here (to me) is the context, which (in my telling, anyway) is that private-sector unions are bleeding market share among non-governmental workers, and so are focusing their energy on using the blunt force of government to rig the market in their favor:

The unification is the result of both dashed hopes and new hopes. The dashed hopes are those of the founders of [former splinter group] Change to Win, who argued that by focusing on organizing rather than politics, they could reverse the decline in union membership. That proved not to be the case, which is why all of labor now sees passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would protect workers' right to join unions, as key to their expansion -- or survival.

Note creative use of the word "protect."

Reason on the dead-for-now Employee Free Choice Card Check here.

Comments

|4.8.09 @ 11:56AM|#

Interesting how they spun Bonior's credentials there... he wasn't so much a 'pro-trade' guy as he was a 'pro-despot' guy.

That being said, that makes him the perfect candidate to chair a cabal of union goons.

Warty|4.8.09 @ 12:06PM|#

I thought this was going to be a post about Lindsay Lohan's devastating breakup with that one DJ broad. So sad. Poor, poor girl.

|4.8.09 @ 12:19PM|#

Warty, did you catch any of LiLo's drunken tweets about the whole sordid affair? If you think the H&R trolls provide some quality lulz...

Naga Sadow|4.8.09 @ 12:21PM|#

What Dagny T. said. You can get a buzz just from kissing that drunk! Err . . . so I've been told.

|4.8.09 @ 12:26PM|#

Note creative use of the word "protect."

I like the creative phrasing used by supporters of card check to imply some vast unrealized yearning for unionization throughout the American proletariat; a yearning thwarted only by the tireless efforts of a cabal of evil industrialists.

Virtually everyone I know (an admittedly unrepresentative sample) thinks unions' principal function is to prevent the firing of the most unproductive and incompetent workers, while lining their pockets and promoting their narrow self-interest at the expense of everyone else.

J|4.8.09 @ 12:27PM|#

Bonior's a fucking idiot.

T|4.8.09 @ 12:30PM|#

Bonior's a fucking idiot.

Speaking of drunken tweets...

But seriously, don't we have a leftover union apologist somewhere? I want to see this spun as anything other than the usual blatant rent-seeking by unions. C'mon, unionistas! Step up and make a case!

|4.8.09 @ 12:31PM|#

Bonior's a fucking idiot.

Taking a page from the Dixie Chicks' playbook,
Bonior make me ashamed to be from Michigan.

Warty|4.8.09 @ 12:32PM|#

I just saw them on Gawker, Dagny. It's beauuuutifullllll.

should you end it if the one person in the world fails to love, hold/comfort, apologize, and CHERISH you the night before jail? LIARS R COWARDS cuz they don't know what they got til it is far gone. and people-if you fucking love someone. PUT UR PRIDE A-fucking-SIDE AND JUST LOVE THEM BACK! do not ever dj before calling if they
ARE FUCKING ABOUT TO GET ARRESTED FOR CHASING YOU TO MAKE YOU STAY

That's a bit crazier than any tramp I've ever banged. I feel like I've been missing out.

|4.8.09 @ 12:36PM|#

"I like the creative phrasing used by supporters of card check to imply some vast unrealized yearning for unionization throughout the American proletariat; a yearning thwarted only by the tireless efforts of a cabal of evil industrialists."

I think they really think that though. Maybe not the leadership, but the rank and file and their supporters out there--I think they really do think that average people would want unionization, it's just that they've been tricked or misguided.

But, yeah, it's hard to reconcile my experience of most people, teaching their kids to work hard and wanting them to go to college, with the idea that most people want a unionized future for themselves and their children.

JP|4.8.09 @ 12:40PM|#

Change to Win ... argued that by focusing on organizing rather than politics, they could reverse the decline in union membership. That proved not to be the case, which is why all of labor now sees passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would protect workers' right to join unions, as key to their expansion -- or survival.

I see. We failed to persuade people to join unions willingly, so now we're going to get the feds to force them to join.

How very blunt of him.

Naga Sadow|4.8.09 @ 12:41PM|#

Warty,

Kids stuff. I once dated a girl who disapproved of me running. It went something like this. "Why are you running? Who are you trying to impress? Huh? Huh? Are you fucking some bitch from work?" Awesome.

|4.8.09 @ 12:42PM|#

Taking a page from the Dixie Chicks' playbook,
Bonior make me ashamed to be from Michigan.

...right now isn't Michgan a great place to be FROM...

|4.8.09 @ 12:48PM|#

That's a bit crazier than any tramp I've ever banged. I feel like I've been missing out.

Redheads, Warty. This is basic stuff.

Or, if you're feeling especially perverse, banging a proponent of Card Check could work. Have them explain to you why secret ballots are teh secret EVIL!

|4.8.09 @ 12:51PM|#

Why would any one want to join a union and get health benefits, a pension and competitive wages when they can rely on the "market" to determine their pay? We're Americans right? We're all entitled to as much health care as we can afford and if you have a preexisting condition then fuck off and die. It's this "free" market view that has totally destroyed the American economy. It's our lack of a health care system that has destroyed the American auto industry and crippled small businesses, not "greedy" unions who bargain for health care and retirement. The decline of union membership has directly corresponded with the longest period of economic growth in which workers real take home wages contracted and saw pension and health benefits looted. Every major economic benefit that you enjoy was fought for by labor; the weekend, the eight hour day, social security and medicare, which you take for granted, were not gifts from benevolent bosses.

|4.8.09 @ 12:54PM|#

Virtually everyone I know (an admittedly unrepresentative sample) thinks unions' principal function is to prevent the firing of the most unproductive and incompetent workers, while lining their pockets and promoting their narrow self-interest at the expense of everyone else.

Well that is the standard right-wing distortion. They've got plenty more on just about every topic.

Why, daddy, why do libertarians hate unions?

Warty|4.8.09 @ 12:56PM|#

Or, if you're feeling especially perverse, banging a proponent of Card Check could work. Have them explain to you why secret ballots are teh secret EVIL!

I pass by a union hall on the way to see the chick I'm currently doing horrible things to, and there's a huge sign in the parking lot that says "EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT = ECONOMIC RECOVERY". Never fails to piss me off.

Samantha Ronson|4.8.09 @ 12:56PM|#

"I thought this was going to be a post about Lindsay Lohan's devastating breakup with that one DJ broad. So sad. Poor, poor girl."

Up yours, wart boy.

Warty|4.8.09 @ 12:56PM|#

Good effort, Sean. 6/10.

Warty|4.8.09 @ 12:57PM|#

I'm intrigued, Samantha. Up my what?

|4.8.09 @ 1:02PM|#

If the truth was as advertised, I would give unions credit for what they supposedly did for me 40 years before I was born.

...but even if they'd done all that, riding entire industries into the ground and subsequently trying to force us all to pay the bill for their pensions, whatever credit they might have had evaporated a long time ago.

Samantha Ronson|4.8.09 @ 1:06PM|#

"I'm intrigued, Samantha. Up my what?"

I'm just going to go with the obvious: vagina.

|4.8.09 @ 1:07PM|#

But seriously, don't we have a leftover union apologist somewhere? I want to see this spun as anything other than the usual blatant rent-seeking by unions. C'mon, unionistas! Step up and make a case!

Maybe they read this comment thread and decided that discretion is the better part of valour.

|4.8.09 @ 1:08PM|#

Why would any one want to join a union and get health benefits, a pension and competitive wages when they can rely on the "market" to determine their pay?

Perhaps because the vast majority of workers get health benefits, retirement benefits (good luck with that "pension" sixty years from now, boyo) and competitive pay without joining a union, paying dues, and acquiring a whole new set of bosses and bunch of dumbfuck work rules?

Just guessing.

LaborUnionReport.com|4.8.09 @ 1:11PM|#

With so much infighting between the union bosses today, a union stooge like Bonior (who is not from the unions) is the only way the union bosses will re-unite.

There is currently too much infighting between the union bosses and the "proud peacock" Andy Stern is at the center of it all: The break-up of the AFL-CIO, the interference in the UNITE-HERE breakup, the trampling on his own members in Calif., the alleged "union-busting" among his own union staff, the sellout of SEIU members in "sweetheart deals" and the list goes on.

In order for there to be a re-unification of the union bosses, either Stern would have to step aside, or they'll need an "outsider" like Bonoir. Since Stern's ego won't let him cede power, it looks like the post will go to the outsider (whether it be Bonoir or someone else).

That said, it will only be temporary--until the Lavender Labor Lord can stage yet another coup.

If you're interested, you can stay up to date on all the drama by going to LaborUnionReport.com

classwarrior|4.8.09 @ 2:06PM|#

Matt, if you want to see a blunt instrument you should look at the intimidation tactics of employers facing unionization.

T|4.8.09 @ 2:20PM|#

That's a bit crazier than any tramp I've ever banged. I feel like I've been missing out.

Redheads, Warty. This is basic stuff.

Yup. This is entertaining, but low level crazy from the firecrotch brigade. It ain't a weekend dating a redhead without blood, or cops, or property destruction, or emergency room visits. A fun weekend is all of the above.

|4.8.09 @ 4:01PM|#

according to the US Dept of Labor Statistics Union workers make 28% more than their non-union counter parts. Union workers make 32% more in the transportation and warehouse sector and 68% more in the service sector. Why do bosses always seem to be so concerned about their employees paying dues to an organization that represents their interests? They all pay dues to their own industry associations that lobby to repeal work place safety legislation and regulation. Stock holders don't get to vote before a cooperation spends millions of their dollars to support industry associations that lobby against workers interest. Because of the declining % of organized workers our wages have decreased while our hours have gotten longer and our benefits have suffered. Warty you're a dumb shit with nothing to say.

|4.8.09 @ 4:04PM|#

I had the head of the NH National Association of Letter Carriers tell me that "100 years ago we would have thrown guys like you in a river" for questioning his support of EFCA...

but somehow I've never had an employer do that to me...

|4.8.09 @ 4:30PM|#

Really Carter? You should learn your history. The Ludlow Mine Massacre of 1914, against the United Mine Workers. 20 were killed 11 of them were children. They were murdered in their sleep when the mining companies called in the Guard to attack a tent city of striking workers. They opened fire on the camp and then burned it to the ground. Employers threats these days are more subtle but no less serious. Workers are threatened with termination for organizing all the time. Bosses can hold one on one captive meetings and the most the Labor Board can do is make them put up a posting for 60 days saying they are sorry. If there are no penalties for breaking the law then of course then they will continue to use threats and intimidation.

T|4.8.09 @ 4:32PM|#

according to the US Dept of Labor Statistics Union workers make 28% more than their non-union counter parts.

Rent-seeking is effective! Who knew? That must be why everyone keeps trying to get in on it!

|4.8.09 @ 4:50PM|#

"Rent-seeking is effective! Who knew? That must be why everyone keeps trying to get in on it!"

T what the hell are you talking about? Of course every one wants to be in on it, that's the fucking point, if people want to join a union and bargain a contract to get better wages, health care and a secure retirement they should be allowed to.

T|4.8.09 @ 5:08PM|#

sean,

You're a moron without the first understanding of what you're talking about. Mmkay? Rent-seeking is a term of art, to wit:

Rent seeking generally implies the extraction of uncompensated value from others without making any contribution to productivity,

Now, does that sound like unions to you? No? How about this phrase?

Most studies of rent seeking focus on efforts to capture special monopoly privileges, such as government regulation of free enterprise competition,

Ringing any bells yet? No? Do some more reading. In general, the differential between union and non-union wages is extracted from the rest of us in lower productivity, lower employment, and higher prices. I'm sure you think that's a good thing.

P.S. There's also this thing called 'sarcasm' you should look into.

|4.8.09 @ 5:09PM|#

...right now isn't Michgan a great place to be FROM...

Worse... not from Michigan, but am in it currently... at least, for the next year or so until I get my M.A..

|4.8.09 @ 5:18PM|#

Well, I don't work for United Mine workers. And it's 2009, not 1914.

Sean, do you really think that people who are against the EFCA condone the outrageous murder against those miners? If so, you're so off the deep end it's not worth an attempt to talk with you.

Even if you were told you'd be fired if you start to organize, so what? You entered the contract freely, you can leave freely or if your choices go against the policies of your employer you can be fired.

Even in my more grueling jobs (construction, roofing, etc.) my boss never threatened to harm me. As soon as I started asking questions of the labor representatives, they threatened me. Anecdata, for sure, but it happened.

|4.8.09 @ 5:23PM|#

sean,

It's no use. These guys will moan for weeks on end about the tyranny of the smallest government regulation but will defend to the death the right of employers to be dictators.

At first glance it makes no sense. Then you realize the consistent thread: whatever corporate America wants = freedom!

|4.8.09 @ 5:26PM|#

the extraction of uncompensated value from others without making any contribution to productivity

Sounds an awful lot like the financial industry. What was that, like 40% of our economy?

|4.8.09 @ 5:28PM|#

Wow T you have access to Wikipedia. Real fucking bright. Like most right wing neo-cons you dribble terminology that you think only you understand which says and explains nothing. "Extracting uncompensated value" you wouldn't want to let the unions get in on that racket, that the bosses turf. Why is it that over the past twenty years while union density declined, productivity has increased, and workers take home wages have fallen. If anyone has been extracting uncompensated value while not contributing to productivity it is the employers.

|4.8.09 @ 5:37PM|#

Tony your probably right, but I like to debate with people who have different views and I don't know anyone who is so dedicated to defending the very principles that wrecked our economy and destroyed our financial system. It amazes me that these Aryn Rand loving mother fuckers can continue to spew the same shit day after day and have no idea that their totally out of fucking touch.

|4.8.09 @ 6:49PM|#

"according to the US Dept of Labor Statistics Union workers make 28% more than their non-union counter parts. Union workers make 32% more in the transportation and warehouse sector and 68% more in the service sector."

Yeah, I think I see what you're saying there, sean...

Some of it would take the form of cost savings, of course, but some of it, presumably, would also take the form of new jobs. I mean, if you don't have to pay people as much, you can obviously afford to hire more of them. All that saved money would, of course, go to consumers buying things they can't buy now...

I think I see what you're saying...

If we could just save 32% of whatever percentage union workers make up of the transportation and warehouse sector and 68% of whatever percentage union workers make of the service sector, I bet we could work our way out of this recession in no time!

I wonder how much that is in GDP?

|4.8.09 @ 6:53PM|#

Just wait 'til they try to dump all the pension costs that sunk GM on the American taxpayer, just when you though unions couldn't get any less popular.

If I didn't know better, I'd think the UAW was an elaborate conspiracy to make welfare queens look good by comparison.

Kevin Carson|4.9.09 @ 12:08AM|#

I believe some of Reason's staff object to the word "shill." Does Meyerson derive any of his income from union dues?

jester|4.9.09 @ 1:59AM|#

Tony, you are a cunt. 'whatever corporate America wants = freedom!'

Yeah, you've heard that repeatedly here haven't you? Maybe in your own retarded Marxist head.

No one here triumphs corporatism. Most corporations support every goal you have. It is small business that has a hard time keeping up with the big bailed out companies.

And if your fantasy land thinks that big corps do what they do out of love of humanity, well, it is just part of what makes you what you are.

Any takers on spelling that out for Tony the tiger?