Big Union Warns Dems: If You Don’t Back Reform, We Won’t Back You

[jefferson_dem]

Big Union Warns Dems: If You Don’t Back Reform, We Won’t Back You

Hardball time.

In what seems intended as a shot across the bow of House Dems wavering on health reform, top officials with the labor powerhouse SEIU have bluntly told a Democratic member that they will pull their support for him — and will likely field a challenger against him — if he votes No on the Senate bill.

Dem Rep Mike McMahon of New York met yesterday with a top SEIU official and told him he’s likely to vote No, the official tells me. The official: Mike Fishman, president of SEIU 32bj, the largest property workers union in the country, with 120,000 members in eight states.

Fishman told McMahon that the union would not support him if he voted No — and suggested the hunt for a primary or third-party challenger would follow.

“He let us know he’s not supportive of the health care plan,” Fishman says. “We’ve let him know that we can’t support somebody who doesn’t support it.”

“We are going to begin talking to other unions about finding someone else for that seat,” Fishman continued.

McMahon enjoyed heavy labor backing when he was elected to his conservative Staten Island district in 2008. He voted No on the bill last time but was said to be undecided on the Senate bill, and labor had hoped to win his support for the crucial final vote.

Fishman said SEIU officials were intent on sending a message to other House Dems that they risk losing the union’s support if they don’t vote for the bill — and said the union’s rank and file membership strongly wanted reform to pass.

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http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/labor/big-union-warns-dems-if-you-dont-back-reform-we-wont-back-you/

[NJmaverick]

1. Way to go Unions!!

:patriot:

[marylanddem]

2. So if this is true...

I'm guessing SEIU members have good health care already.

[babylonsister]

3. It doesn't matter if people have good health care now. If something

isn't done, any kind of health care will get (more) prohibitively expensive.

[Vincardog]

4. Do you believe that wanting affordable health CARE for EVERYONE is a BAD thing?

[gateley]

5. Hope they take heed. nt

[nykym]

6. That's what I like to hear

some of the old LBJ form of getting votes for your legislation. Problem is some of these congresscritters will think it's all talk and no muscle. Won't they be surprised come election day!

[Arkana]

7. Well, unions are to the Democrats what Bibles are to the Republicans.

That's a pretty serious threat.

[girl gone mad]

8. Democrats to SEIU:

Who else are you going to support? Sarah Palin? Mitt Romney? :rofl: :rofl:

[jefferson_dem]

9. Like Ya! What do those union folks know anyway...

Wonder how Fishman, Trumka and their brothers and sisters would respond to your "keyboard courage". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3mc-NTc4is

[Cha]

13. Gotta love the Unions..Working class who help

their peeps.

[lunatica]

11. WTF?

Unions are not freepers nor are they teabaggers. What are you talking about? They support people like Ted Kennedy and Alan Grayson. You know, Progressive candidates.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Third party?

:rofl:


:sarcasm:

[lunatica]

10. I'm a proud union member.

Go unions!

[Cha]

12. I hope my sniveling blue dog is listening..

Or will he think the special interests and the fauxsn00ze brainwashed will pull him through in Nov?

[SoxFan]

14. Weren't the Progressive Puritans just saying that labor opposed the bill?

I wish the Obama Bashers would keep their stories straight!

[ShortnFiery]

15. Big Union BOSSES. Not the same as the Rank and File Members. eom

[jefferson_dem]

19. Union Leaders...

Under the bus and to the curb for you guys.

[JVS]

16. Has Rahm called them "fucking retarded" yet?

[jefferson_dem]

17. Nope.

Did you?

[w4rma]

20. As long as there is a public option in it. (nt)

[GrantDem]

21. Long over due.

It's about time that labor and other organizations start holding elected officials accountable.