Union problem for Obama: Employee Free Choice Act could alienate business in crucial economic time

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: A labor-union problem looms for Obama
Unions want the president-elect to enact rules to make it easier to unionize workplaces. But doing so could alienate business at a crucial time for the economy.
By Dan Morain
November 16, 2008

Reporting from Minneapolis -- Two months before Barack Obama is to be sworn in as president, opening salvos are being launched over what could become one of the thorniest issues his administration will face next year.

Organized labor, which spent more than $80 million to put Democrats in the White House and Congress, wants Obama to deliver on its priority: new rules to make it easier to unionize workplaces.

A union-backed organization founded by one of Obama's economic advisors plans to start a national ad campaign today calling for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Obama and his vice president-elect, Joe Biden, embraced the measure in the Senate last year and on the campaign trail this year, particularly in front of union audiences. (The bill passed the House last year, but in the Senate, Republicans succeeded in blocking it because Democrats lacked the 60 votes necessary to cut off debate.)

But if the president-elect pushes for the legislation, he risks alienating business -- which also contributed heavily to his campaign and his party and will be crucial to his efforts to fix the economy and overhaul the healthcare system....

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-unions16-2008nov16,0,4368143,full.story

[annabanana]

1. " he risks alienating business -- which also contributed heavily "

I would need specifics on which ones before I'd object to Free Choice Act.

(And probably not then either.)

Of course we KNEW the CofCommerce would start squealing early and often.

[bluestateguy]

2. Fine. Then let Congress take the lead on the issue.

Obama should pick 2 or 3 issues to "push" for the first six months, and let Congress take the lead on the rest. We often forget that presidents do not submit any legislation to the Congress. All bills originate in Congress.

[ColbertWatcher]

3. The only businesses that will be alienated are businesses that work the old way.

Times are a-changin' and it's time everyone get with 'em.

Businesses included.

[DJ13]

4. Somebody will end up upset

Who is better able to deal with it, the corporations or the workers?

For 30+ years everything has been tilted to favor business interests, and what do we as a country have to show for it?

[brentspeak]

5. Let's see...the interests of a few hundred corporate lobbyists vs.

the interests of tens of millions of American working people.

Yeah, we really give a crap about alienating the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

[54anickel]

8. Now, now, they may decide to pack up their ball and move off to Chin...hey, wait a minute. n/t

[acmavm]

6. Fine. Then rescind all tax breaks. Level the playing field. Take away

corporate personhood (which does not really exist anyway).

[dkofos]

7. To bad. Welcome to the real world.

Whiners they are

[Sherman A1]

9. Tough

They will get over it. Just as we in Labor have been screwed for year upon year, it's time to ante up.

[MikeNearMcChord]

10. I didn't vote for President Obama to continue the old ways,

Chamber of Commerce. You created the conditions that lead to the destruction, of working America. Now it is our turn, PAY UP YOU GREEDY BASTARDS!!!

[Touchdown]

11. Typical corporate news reporting. "Unions are BAAAAAD!!!!"

Just once, I'd like to read an article or see a TV news report where unions are not constantly demonized.:eyes:

[Political Heretic]

12. And the corporate media is already telling Obama what he's not allowed to do as President.

[Omaha Steve]

13. Organized labor, which spent more than $80 million to put Democrats

That figure is low. Here is AFSCME cost and results alone. $19,384,800.

http://www.afscmeblog.org/2008/11/05/campaign-2008-by-the-numbers/

Campaign 2008 by the Numbers
November 5th, 2008

Here’s a look at AFSCME’s unprecedented 2008 campaign efforts, by the numbers:

Member Program

* 455 AFSCME staff deployed in 17 battleground states
* Over 11,700 volunteers working in 17 battleground states
* Over 40,000 volunteers working across the country
* Over 720 AFSCME volunteers from other states on buses to battleground states
* 4.3 million calls made to members from AFSCME International phone banks regarding Presidential race
* 1.03 million calls made to members from AFSCME International phone banks regarding U.S. Senate and Congressional races
* Over 454,000 calls made to members from AFSCME International phone banks regarding down ballot races
* Over 950,000 volunteer calls to members in 17 battleground states
* Over 246,300 home visits made to AFSCME member households
* 2600 worksites visited by volunteers and members
* 1.25 million pieces of mail sent to member households
* 65,000 postcards sent from volunteers to AFSCME members

Non-Partisan

* 36 staff working on non-partisan efforts in Florida, New Mexico and Wisconsin
* Over $800,000 spent on non-partisan activities in Florida, Ohio, Nevada, Wisconsin and New Mexico
* Over 100,000 non-partisan flyers distributed at homes
* Over 90,000 door hangers distributed at homes over election weekend

Independent Expenditures

$19,384,800 spent on AFSCME’s independent expenditure activities during the general election, of which:

* $7,625,000 was spent on express advocacy
* $11,306,800 was spent on issue advocacy
* $6,630,500 was spent on independent activity in U.S. Senate races
* $7,668,300 was spent on independent activity in U.S. House races
* $2,184,595 was contributed to candidates and leadership PAC’s
* $6,905,000 total spent on U.S. Senate races
* $9,578,395 total spent on U.S. House races

[DeepModem Mom]

17. I was hoping to hear from you in this thread, Omaha Steve -- thanks! nt

[morillon]

14. Some of the biggest assholes in the country are against EFCA.

That's reason enough for me to suspect it's a good idea. All the CEOs of retailers that routinely exploit workers -- shitty split schedules, mandatory unpaid overtime, cutting hours just enough to screw employees out of health benefits -- are dead set against the EFCA. Not coincidentally, these retail chains also have MAJOR safety issues. If the workers were unionized, companies would have to get off their asses and make workplaces safer.

Oh, and these were the very same retailers who had store managers employing scare tactics about how they'd all be unemployed if Obama won.

Jerks.

[rug]

15. No brainer. Back the unions.

[mzmolly]

16. I prefer to alienate business vs. workers.

Business has proven that they don't know what's good for them.