I am so proud of the DU, we have come so far so fast

[Omaha Steve]

I learned in January that Republicans wanted to take away my right to simply belong to a union. In February I learned how bad it might be. I posted this and it made the greatest page to sound one of the first alarms of the oncoming wave against union members in the USA: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=350502

There was a time when I got here that labor news was hard to find. I got busy. Others followed right along. Then we got a group. I was shocked when we were upgraded to a forum: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=367

When the first weekend of protests started in Madison, unions were saying the DU is providing 24 hour coverage far better than the MSM. We got lots of new readers and members.

I've been so busy reading labor posts on the DU, I barely have time to give an R, let alone reply. I've not had time to really post much. I haven't had to because WE all now understand the full scope of what is happening. We are posting things that were ignored not so long ago. That's a good thing.

The next time somebody says the DU has changed, it has. It has changed for the better of our party and way of life in a very short time.

Thank you from an old union man with tears in his eyes, and a new even larger warmth for the DU in his heart!

In solidarity with the working middle class,

Omaha Steve

[FSogol]

1. K & R. n/t

[October]

2. K&R

Agree! DU is doing a fine job regarding unions/labor!

[blondeatlast]

3. I'm proud too--and want to take a moment to mention that I think

our response to the labor struggles in Wisconsin and Ohio and elsewhere shows that labor is a Big D Democratic value--and the Big D Democratic leadership should absolutely take note of the fact.

[liberal N proud]

4. What we are seeing from the republicans is a culmination of 30 years of devious

acts they have been painstakingly setting in place to do this and still more to come.

[Tippy]

5. K&R....Thank you Omaha Steve,

for all you do to keep the information flowing.....

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Solidarity Forever!

[bobbolink]

7. "In solidarity with the working middle class."

And that says it right there.

When DU, and anyone who calls themselves "progressive" or "Democrat" is ready and willing to be in "solidarity" with people who are BELOW the middle class, and be in solidarity with people who CAN'T work, then we can talk about "change".

[Omaha Steve]

9. Maybe I could have worded that better

Labor makes a big push every year for the community chest pay deduction nationwide. The President of the Omaha Federation of Labor AFL-CIO was awarded the highest honor (only one recipient per year) award for fund raising for the community chest. I'll look the name of it up when I get home later. Labor also raises all boats including the poor, working or not. I'm a solid socialist that says tax the top 10% or so to provide for the needy.

[bobbolink]

10. Thank you for recognizing the bad vocabulary habit that has been continued.

It is hurting people like me, and many others at DU, not to mention millions across the nation.

I appreciate that you are willing to hear it... few are.

When you change your vocabulary, and begin reaching out and cincluding us, THEN things can really change.

And, like you... we don't want charity.. we want JUSTICE.

Here's to true solidarity.. may it not wait too long to materialize. :toast:

[Omaha Steve]

11. Joseph A. Beirne Award

February 23, 2011

It is with great excitement to let you know that President Moore has received the highest recognition in the United States from United Way Worldwide in the Labor Movement in support of the welfare of his community. This Joseph A. Beirne Award is presented to only one labor leader in the United States each year. United Way Worldwide will be flying an individual to Omaha to present this award to him on March 31st at the Holiday Inn Central (CoCo Keys) at 72nd and Grover. The award luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

We would like to have as many unions as possible to buy a table to this extraordinary event. This will be in conjunction with the United Way Annual Meeting Report and Recognition. There will be a broad representation from the entire community at this luncheon. I would like to make sure that labor is well represented at this function. As many of you know, Terry has always been there for all of us, no matter what the situation or the challenge might have been. The cost is $25 per ticket or $200 for a table of 8. Please contact Marie or myself at 346.4800 or email [e-mail] with your list of reservation names and number of tables. Checks are to be made out to “United Way of the Midlands” and mailed to this office, or you may request an invoice. Even though this is not a surprise to Terry, we would like to surprise him with a great turnout from labor!

Born in 1911, Joseph A. Beirne, labor’s and America’s foremost leader, built a better country while serving as founder and president of Communications Workers of America, and chairman of its International Affairs Committee. In 1949, he joined the Congress of Industrial Organizations and became chairman in 1952. When AFL and CIO merged in 1955, he served as the first chairman of the Community Services Committee until 1969, when he chaired the AFL-CIO International Affairs Committee. In 1956, after election to the board of directors of United Community Funds and Councils of American, now United Way Worldwide, he received the National Community Service Award in 1963, honoring outstanding volunteer service. He was the first labor representative to serve as president of the United Community Funds and Councils of America (United Way Worldwide), also holding presidential appointments in all administrations since Franklin D. Roosevelt until his death on Labor Day, 1974, believing that the “future of the labor movement lay in its complete identification with the health and welfare of the entire community.”

In Solidarity,

Linda Morin

Community Services Liaison

[madrchsod]

8. if it was`t for you the labor forum would`t be what it is today.

so my brother here`s my




to you!

[steve2470]

12. k&r nt