Sanders unveils plan to bolster labor unions

[Uncle Joe]

"Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) unveiled new legislation on Wednesday aimed at increasing the power of labor unions and lifting stagnant wages nationwide.

The bill, titled The Workplace Democracy Act, would expedite the formation process for unions, allowing workers to sign up to be represented rather than being elected into membership and expedite timelines for negotiation between unions and companies, according to The Washington Post.

Sanders acknowledged that the bill would likely not pass on its own, since Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress. But Sanders said it could spotlight the issue of stalled wage growth, even with jobless claims at their lowest point since 1973.

“It’s not a question of just jobs — it’s a question of what those jobs pay. Many of the occupations that are growing in this country do not pay workers a living wage," Sanders told The Post."

(snip)

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/386926-sanders-unveils-plan-to-increase-power-of-unions

[MineralMan]

1. Is he going to hold another rally?

I hope he gets more than 20 people to attend.

[Uncle Joe]

2. That's beneath you MineralMan.

[MineralMan]

5. No, it's not at all.

Yesterday, for example, every single Our Revolution-endorsed candidate in the four primaries held LOST. Bernie Sanders is rapidly becoming irrelevant in Democratic politics.

I suggest he go back to DC and really get to work at the job he was elected to do by the people of Vermont.

That's what I suggest. He's not doing very well out on the hustings. Not very well at all.

On another note, I haven't seen your posts much lately. I hope we'll see more of you here.

[Uncle Joe]

6. This is a marathon not a sprint MineralMan, we will win some and lose some.

Bernie; still the most popular active politician in America today is doing just fine.

https://morningconsult.com/2018/01/23/senator-rankings-jan-2018/


It's good to be back and thank you for the kind words.

[Wwcd]

14. No he is not the most "popular active politician"..he is no more active nor popular than any other.

So "most popular politician" has now expanded to "most popular ACTIVE politician"

Was that on the first poll or is that from a new revised poll?

Just asking.

[Uncle Joe]

18. Bernie is certainly more active than Abraham Lincoln that's why active is included. n/t

[Wwcd]

20. Lol. They maybe need to define "ACTIVE".

Most "active (breathing) popular politician over 70 with white hair & not named Joe Biden"

They need to narrow down the definition of "politician" too maybe.

A lot of people fit that skillset.

" popular + active + politician" = ??

[Uncle Joe]

24. If it makes you happy, here is a more specific definition

(snip)

While Sanders—who polls have shown ranks as the most popular active politician of any party in the U.S.—ran his insurgent 2016 primary campaign on a platform that railed against extreme inequality and the power of the "billionaire class" while also rallying support for an agenda that included a Medicare for All healthcare system, free higher education, taxing Wall Street, an urgent jobs and energy transformation program to address climate change, and an end to the "outrageous" size of the Pentagon budget, Biden appears more comfortable using the Clinton and Obama playbook of the Democratic Party that hopes to address inequality while doing everything possible not to offend the key beneficiaries of the system that drives it."

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/09/joe-biden-clarifies-hes-no-bernie-sanders-i-dont-think-500-billionaires-are-reason

[Wwcd]

25. Oh Lordy..Common Dreams!!

Got anyone a little more neutral?

[Uncle Joe]

26. You asked for a definition, that's as good as any. If you can find an article that

refutes Bernie as being the most popular politician in America please share it.

[Wwcd]

29. Haaahaaa..I refer you to...

Certainly not in Maryland, apparently.
Dismal turnout there for BenJ & Bernie.

And here is more telling as to the most active popularity contest.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210595665

Not a single candidate endorsed by Sander's own Our Rev Pac has ever won?

What the heck does THAT say.
It says the popularity claim to fame is skewed beyond being taken seriously.

[Uncle Joe]

30. I refer you to my post# 19 about two posts below this one in response

MineralMan's post on this subject.

[MineralMan]

15. Most popular, eh. You'd think that would get better results, then

when he endorses someone, right? I remember that poll. It was far too limited to really mean anything.

[Uncle Joe]

19. You know as well as I do endorsements while certainly beneficial

have limited value.

As I stated on a different thread a few days back "Any President or for that matter Presidential Candidate worth their salt should know the buck stops with them"

The same holds true for any candidate in regards to their political race.

[Wwcd]

23. True. Maryland doesn't appear to have been included in the 'most active popularity poll.'

That was a dismal showing.

[appalachiablue]

32. Good to see focus on these issues & support by 12 prominent Dems. Hi Uncle Joe!

"You show your base that you’re serious about this, and unions are still an important part of Democrats’ base," he said.

Despite the likely vehement opposition in the Republican majority Congress, Sanders's bill was co-sponsored by more than a dozen Democrats, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Kamala Harris (Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.).

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Sanders pushed for a nationwide minimum wage increase."

[Uncle Joe]

36. I agree on all counts. Hi appalachiablue!

[appalachiablue]

44. Unions, democracy in the workplace:

[Demsrule86]

38. I am sure this legislation will pass and all...right?

Of course it will be moot when SCOTUS guts unions in June...and by way Biden is more popular.

[HenryWallace]

35. Oh Irony thy name is MineralMan

Oh man it must feel good to be smug....... it's been awhile; what November 2016?

Here is a prediction, this will end no better than that!

[QC]

46. No, it isn't. n/t

[Bettie]

3. Good. Unions

need all the help they can get these days.

[Uncle Joe]

4. I agree Bettie

Peace to you.

[Demsrule86]

39. How exactly is proposing union legislation going to help us when it has a snowball's chance in hell

of passing? I am so sick of this.

[Uncle Joe]

41. To differientate the Democratic from the Republican Party for those millions of Americans

that believe there is no difference.

[NCTraveler]

7. This is funny. 2:38 PM

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210595668#post3

[Uncle Joe]

9. Because?

[NCTraveler]

12. Pretty obvious.

Bacon

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210595189

[grantcart]

33. Lol

[BlueDog22]

8. Unions

Good. The labor unions have been beat to hell, and can use all the support they can get.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Going back to the days of Ronald Reagan.

I agree BlueDog.

[Doreen]

10. Unions confuse me.

I myself and others I have talked to that are/were part of one get screwed. I belonged to a union in a school district and they were well in bed with the administration. The other people I talked to that work or have worked for school districts say the same. I have talked to others in unions of different occupations and they have nothing but good to say about them. Safeway union confuses me also because I hear half and half. Then again I do not know if they still have a union. There is a grocery store where I live where the employees voted for the union to dismantle. In turn they all have a piece of the business ( not sure how that works either but they seemed happier. )

[Uncle Joe]

17. Having a piece of any business can be exciting. In general

I believe that if every American felt they had an ownership stake in our nation we would be a lot better off.

I believe we do need major union policy reforms, the pendulum has swung too far toward major employers and away from employees.

[pangaia]

34. My take is that there are 'good' and 'bad' unions.

Nationally, and Locals.. good and bad leaders....
honest people and crooks...
Like in everything...

[WhiskeyGrinder]

13. Mandated recognition of card check has been proposed a few times over the years -- one of those

reliably partisan things they trot out when they need to "woo labor."

[Wwcd]

22. K & R Correct on that..

Its hardly a bright new idea.
Just dusted off every few years for campaign ads.

Been there many times.

[MichMan]

16. Why are secret ballots in elections bad?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

21. They're not. But the argument is if a certain percentage of employees sign authorization forms,

holding an election is an unnecessary disruption.

[MichMan]

43. I believe that secret ballot elections are important

It is one of the foundations of a democratic system of governing.

People voting for their own destiny should be free from intimidation, bullying, threats, or coercion, regardless whether it comes from those opposing unionization or those supporting it.

As an employee, I wouldn't want my employer knowing exactly who did and who didn't vote for representation wondering if it would be held against me

If enough people sign cards freely, then the union should have no concerns about not winning the election by secret ballot

[Mike Nelson]

27. I love this plan...

...but doubt the Republicans will pass it - and Trump or Pence will never sign it...

[Uncle Joe]

28. I agree on all counts Mike Nelson but I also believe it be important for political leaders

to state clearly and concisely what they stand for.

Whether they're running in a political race or not.

[pampango]

31. Sanders and "over a dozen Democrats, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris and

Elizabeth Warren ... Despite the likely vehement opposition in the Republican majority Congress ..."

I am not going to trash this bill just because Sanders joined 13 Democratic senators in co-sponsoring it.

[Uncle Joe]

37. Hi pampango

[Garrett78]

45. The knee-jerk reaction to all things Sanders is rather silly.

While his severe downplaying of the role racism played in Trump's rise irritates the hell out of me, Sanders does raise important points.

[mvd]

40. K&R

Good for Bernie once again, and good for those Democrats getting behind it. Hi Uncle Joe!

[Uncle Joe]

42. Hi mvd, it's good to see you again.

[Omaha Steve]

47. K&R!