12 Unions Tell Dems They'll Boycott Convention in North Carolina

Published on Saturday, August 13, 2011 by The Charlotte Observer (North carolina)
12 Unions Tell Dems They'll Boycott Convention in North Carolina

by Tim Funk and Kirsten Valle Pittman


Casting North Carolina as an anti-union bastion with "regressive policies aimed at diluting the power of workers," more than a dozen trade unions affiliated with the national AFL-CIO have told the Democratic National Committee that they will sit out the 2012 convention in Charlotte.

Coming on the heels of some liberals' complaints that President Barack Obama is giving in to Republicans, the unions' decision is another sign that key Democratic allies are unhappy with Obama and other party leaders as they gear up for a difficult election season.

It's also a signal that anything relating to Charlotte - from its besieged hometown bank to its lack of unionized hotels - will face scrutiny as the city eases into the national spotlight.

Labor unions have long played an integral role in Democratic conventions. And some big ones, including the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union, still plan to be active participants when the Democrats come to Charlotte in 2012. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2011/08/13-2

with a broken heart what has been happening with UNION BUSTING policies. I'm even more afraid that Obama will be UNWILLING to come to our aid.

However, in the end, like millions of others we KNOW we will HAVE to vote for him. UNLESS there is a better candidate put forth. Which is VERY UNLIKELY.

Just glad to see they're standing tall and making this statement. I think the numbers for Unions is now down to around 11% nationally, or something close to it. Once, Unions were the bedrock of this country and regardless of the fact that there have been some corrupt practices... I take them over what we have now hands down.

At least we were able to live a middle class life because of them and I support the UNION cause 100%!

K&R for solidarity.

any Dem has. The union has my back the others don't.

and not letting Dems use them as a no-fee ATM machine.

We need more core constituencies to stand up and say that "We're better than the other guy" is not a winning strategy.

If the Democrats want to give the bare minimum of what they have to, then we can all give the bare minimum (our votes) in return and that's it.

Let them get the money, and the time and the sweat and the tears from the "independents" that they are so desperate to woo or the corporations whose cash they are so fond of whoring themselves out for.

They've been left to fend for themselves by the party they have always supported....now let the useless party fend for itself.

It is NOT possible to be FOR "Free Trade" and Pro-LABOR at the same time.

Solidarity!



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