The Hill: Labor fires back at Obama on trade

[Omaha Steve]

http://thehill.com/policy/finance/234787-labor-fires-back-at-obama-on-trade

By Vicki Needham - 03/08/15 06:00 AM EDT

Labor unions and other groups opposed to free-trade policies are ramping up a spring offensive against the White House and congressional Republicans with new trade legislation set to emerge in the coming weeks.

The AFL-CIO along with other groups this week trumpeted how trade promotion authority (TPA) will rubber stamp agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that they say would hurt American workers by leading to job and wage losses.

Hundreds of members from the various groups canvassed Capitol Hill, bringing their anti-fast-track message to more than 100 congressional offices. It’s just the latest push from the left to stop the Obama administration’s push for TPA or fast-track, which would prevent trade deals from being amended by Congress.
The labor unions have been bracing for fast-track legislation to be introduced in the Senate, but the timeline has been delayed by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), who is trying to win the support of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the panel’s ranking member.

FULL story at link.

[djean111]

1. I think this is why no one put on their comfortable shoes or gave any real help, except speeches,

with dealing with the union-busting. The TPP (and TTIP, and other re-negotiated "free trade" agreements) are not conducive to having strong and successful unions. Easier for American workers to sink to the bottom.

[Omaha Steve]

2. President Obama has done a lot for labor

Last edited Sun Mar 8, 2015, 10:34 AM - Edit history (1)

He gave a thumbs up early in his first term for the sit down strike in the window factory. Not as big as raygun firing PATCO, but a great sign just the same.

Thanks to Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and cloture (the conservatives now want to end) we lost EFCA!

The NLRB has done better work than it did under Clinton. While part of that time it couldn't work because Republicans wouldn't confirm board members.

The stimulus and klunker programs put union (and non-union) workers back to work.

Omaha has a shortage skilled construction workers: http://www.omaha.com/money/major-omaha-area-construction-projects-face-a-shortage-of-workers/article_dbf3b85c-ae48-521c-ace9-881207fa5dfd.html

It is a night and day difference from W. But this TPP is very wrong!

OS

[donnasgirl]

3. It is not only very wrong

If it goes thru you can kiss the Presidency good bye, not one union member that I talk with want's it and if implemented will simply stay home during the election.

[SoapBox]

4. We may not want it and we may be furious...

But not vote?

Hope all the union members would enjoy Bush, Paul or Walker as President...they could then kiss any union representation good bye.

Let's hope that they would not be that dumb.

[Fuddnik]

5. Maybe we get tired of voting for our own demise.

If the party suppresses its own vote, they deserve exile.

[donnasgirl]

7. You are correct

[donnasgirl]

6. The dumb ones are the ones thinking they can push the TPP

With out the so called Dumb ones not noticing it being stuck in their collective arses once again. Remember people still have not forgotten NAFTA or Gatt.

[jwirr]

8. Unions do not refuse to vote (just stay at home). They understand the local impact of not voting.

But Unions have one very important weapon that they use very effectively - they are often the foot soldier in the campaign. And they are the foundation of the GOTV campaigns. If they do not come out to help then a candidate is in big trouble.

However, we are forgetting that President Obama is not going to be running in 2016. If he signs TPP it will not be him that gets hurt if voters stay home. It will be us.

We need to stop this in the congress - our Democratic members of congress have used their power so far and stopped some things we do not want. I am encouraging them to keep fighting.

[Dustlawyer]

9. Hope they throw their lot in with Bernie!

[donnasgirl]

10. Among the little dumb people

That is exactly who they want to back, he is the only one who is talking their language.

[newfie11]

11. I'm one of those dumb little people

Run Bernie Run!

[Dustlawyer]

12. The language of true Democracy!

[donnasgirl]

13. Go back to the comment

From soapbox and you will understand why I use the term dumb, just because people are blue collar does not necessarily mean people are stupid they understand about being screwed over by the very people we vote in to help us.