Basketball players union supported the Wisconsin public employees fight for workers rights

[Better Believe It]

Now they deserve and need our support. It the millionaire owners of basketball teams destroy the basketball players union they will target the wages and benefits of stadium/arena workers next. BBI



NBA Union Backs Wisconsin Public Employees
by Tula Connell
February 25, 2011

The National Basketball Association’s Player’s Association (NBAPA) is backing Wisconsin public employees who are fighting for their right to bargain for good middle-class jobs. NBAPA Executive Director Billy Hunter denounced last night’s vote in the state assembly to take away collective bargainig rights. This from the Nation:

Last night’s vote by the Wisconsin Assembly was an attempt to undermine organized labor and the men and women across the country who depend on their unions for a voice in the workplace. The NBPA proudly supports our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and their stand for unequivocal collective bargaining rights.

Hunter, who earned his law degree from the University of California-Berkeley while playing in the National Football League, has been part of the struggle for workers rights for many years. Keyon Dooling’s voice, as a player in Wisconsin and a leader in the union is perhaps even more welcome.

Wisconsin public-sector workers tirelessly deliver services on a daily basis to millions of Wisconsin residents. The right of these hard-working men and women to organize and bargain collectively is fundamental. Wisconsin’s workers deserve better than last night’s vote. Today, our union stands proudly with our fellow union members throughout the state as they continue their fight.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/02/25/nba-union-backs-wisconsin-public-employees/


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NBPA Press Release (February 25, 2011)

February 25, 2011

STATEMENT BY NBPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BILLY HUNTER AND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT KEYON DOOLING IN OPPOSITION TO WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY ANTI-UNION BILL.

New York, February 25, 2011 -- “Last night’s vote by the Wisconsin Assembly was an attempt to undermine organized labor and the men and women across the country who depend on their unions for a voice in the workplace. The NBPA proudly supports our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and their stand for unequivocal collective bargaining rights.” – Billy Hunter, NBPA Executive Director

“Wisconsin public-sector workers tirelessly deliver services on a daily basis to millions of Wisconsin residents. The right of these hard-working men and women to organize and bargain collectively is fundamental. Wisconsin’s workers deserve better than last night’s vote. Today, our union stands proudly with our fellow union members throughout the state as they continue their fight.” – Keyon Dooling, NBPA First Vice President, Milwaukee Bucks.

http://www.nbpa.org/press-release/press-release-22511

[lbrtbell]

1. This is what I've been saying all along

A lot of people mistakenly believe this is about "spoiled athletes" wanting more money. It isn't. It's about standing up to greedy people who want to exploit the not-so-spoiled, lower-paid athletes. It's about union-busting, plain and simple.

I support the NBA players, because they support unions!

[demosincebirth]

7. I wonder how many union picket and informational lines have they ever crossed

[Better Believe It]

8. I hope not as many as the AFL-CIO affiliates did during the PATCO Air Traffic Controllers Strike.

That failure by the AFL-CIO union officials to honor the strike picket lines and fight President Reagan's union busting operation opened the door to massive union busting and strike breaking using "replacement workers" in the 80's and 90's.

I don't think any of the professional sports unions have done anything even remotely that bad.

But all of those past practices of crossing union picket lines by unions is history. This is a new age .... hopefully .... and not the time to regurgitate old union grievances and complaints that get in the way of labor unity.

So what's your point?

[demosincebirth]

10. All of a sudden the phrase "labor unity" is flowing like sweet honey off

he lips of public unions employees...cops, firemen, state workers, etc. Where was their support in the past when private sector employees were fighting for their right to organize and fight for decent and \air wages and benefits. Those who have had to strike, some for months and years were helped not be PSE, but by the rank and filers of the Teamsters, Mineworkers,Iron workers, etc. You say its a different era or time, but unionism has not changed in 150years. It means, and always has, to take care of ones union brother and to promote unions in all aspects of our lives. Union Labor is not just talk and make noises when you your own job is in jeopardy..its also when your neighbors job is also in jeopardy and when help is needed. Have many done that? I don' think so. I am sure some have. This is my point.

[Better Believe It]

13. So you want to promote and stress labor disunity, conflict and division today.

And how does that make you any different from those union officials in public or private employee unions who crossed picket lines and refused to demonstrate solidarity with workers from other unions in the past?

You sure don't seem to be spreading much labor solidarity now!

You commented: "unionism has not changed in 150years"

You need to read about real labor history before commenting on it. Because that comment is about as far away from reality as one can get!

But, you're not at all familiar with labor union history in America and that's why you wrote such a silly statement.

The labor movement has changed dramatically over the course of the past 150, 50 and even 10 years.

If you're really concerned about and want to strengthen the labor movement I urge you to study its history in America.

And after you've learned some of the basics of that history you may want to post an informed comment on it.

[demosincebirth]

14. I've studied Labor History and I've also been part of the struggles of labor

for 50 years, so don't lecture me on the labor movement in the U.S. I think the only Labor you know of is what you read and what you see on television. You've never have gotten you feet wet...have you? If I were you, I'd go back and re-read the History of Labor, like you say have, cause you skipped a lot of chapters. Don't bother to answer with your so-called neo-unionism rhetoric. Lets just call a truce.

[xchrom]

2. Recommend

[Starry Messenger]

3. k&r

[democracy1st]

4. KNR

[roguevalley]

5. isn't michael Jordan the worst among them? Take your haines and

shove them.

[Better Believe It]

6. Yes he is.

[Romulox]

9. The OP who warns AGAINST buying American is now super worried about NBA players.

Truly, the OP is a leader of Labor! :silly:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1678224

[tuckessee]

11. I support canceling the entire season.

Spare us the fraud that is the NBA and let those egotistical players & arrogant owners find productive, honest work.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. Wow-You Think The Players Went To Bed At Night And Woke Up The Next Day Elite Athletes

.