Obama, CEO Lovefest Produces No Pledges to Create Jobs, Stop Union Busting

[Enrique]

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6780/obama_ceo_lovefest_produces_no_pledges_to_create_jobs_or_stop_ilegal_u/

(...)

Also in attendance was one of the most high-profile union busters in America—Honeywell CEO David Cote. Determined to break unions throughout his company, Cote locked out union workers at Honeywell's uranium enrichment facility in Metropolis, Ill. Honeywell has since hired poorly trained scabs to operate the facility, which has already resulted in an explosion at the plant. While the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) initially prevented the plant from using the scabs, it has now—under political pressure—taken the unprecedented step of waving its 60-year precedent of not allowing scabs to work in this extremely dangerous uranium facility.

With the lockout in its fifth month, Honeywell has spent more money keeping workers locked out at the Metropolis facility than it would be spending if it were providing the workers what they want. According to union officials, Honeywell has already spent or lost at least $48.8 million to keep the workers locked out over a four month period.
In contrast, agreeing to workers' demands that Honeywell maintain their current health and retirement benefits would cost the company only $20 million over the life of a three-year contract. Honeywell is spending more than twice the amount it would take to maintain current workers' benefits because it has its eye on a much larger goal: destroying the unions that represent workers at thousands of Honeywell facilities around the country.

Obama’s invitation of Cote drew sharp criticism from the United Steelworkers. "How suitable that the biggest corporate PAC contributor has secured a ticket to the White House to promote himself and Honeywell Corp,” said United Steelworkers Public Affairs Director Gary Hubbard. He added:

But he's the wrong guy to be asked to fix America's economy. He has dirty hands with his lock out of 230 loyal USW workers and their families since Jun. 28. Instead of negotiating corporate deals in the White House, he should give priority to meeting at the Union Hall in Metropolis, and negotiate a deal that puts his union-represented employees back to work.

(...)


President Obama with Honeywell CEO David Cote in 2009. (Photo by WIN MCNAMEE/Getty Images)

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Nite Owl]

2. As long as Obama presents himself

as a weak leader he won't get anything from them or the GOP. Somehow he keeps thinking that by being nice to them they will cooperate, it hasn't worked so far so there is no logical reason to keep doing the same thing over and over only to get beat over the head the same as before.

[atreides1]

3. The definition of Insanity

[Enrique]

4. Obama isn't weak

he's getting what he wants.

[Nite Owl]

6. If 2+2 still

equals four than yes he is.

[valerief]

9. That's how I see it, too. It's just that what he wants isn't what we want. nt

[polichick]

11. Me too - sadly, he doesn't represent me or anyone in my family. nt

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GinaMaria]

7. I have family who live in that area

They are deeply concerned about leaks, improper waste disposal etc. Those living on land near Honeywell worry about their drinking water and food from their gardens. Attempts to do any environmental testing are shut down by Honeywell.

Residents in and around Metropolis are not fans of Honeywell.

Seems there's an article about Honeywell in every issue of the Planet. http://metropolisplanet.com/news.html

The Planet is a weekly publication. The town is about as far south as you can go in Illinois. In fact my family there does most of their business in Kentucky.


On Edit:
Candidate Obama visited there and had his picture taken in front of the Superman statue.

http://supezology.blogspot.com/2009/01/superman-meets-obama-in-metropolis.html

The family was so proud to have him there. Can't imagine what they think about him buddying up with the Honeywell CEO :wow:

[WorseBeforeBetter]

8. It's sickening.

I can't believe the level of disgust I've reached with Obama.

[frylock]

10. cute couple

[WiffenPoof]

12. My Question Is This:

When the article states that Honeywell was allowed to use scabs because the policy changed and that policy change was due to "political pressure," where did that pressure come from?

-PLA

[dflprincess]

13. I'll be at least one job was created/promised

and that's a space for Obama on a coporate board or two when he leaves office.