A.F.L.-C.I.O. in Connecticut Gives Backing to Lieberman

[sabra]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/28/nyregion/28connecticut.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

A.F.L.-C.I.O. in Connecticut Gives Backing to Lieberman

NEW HAVEN, June 27 — Connecticut's largest labor union on Tuesday endorsed Senator Joseph I. Lieberman in the Democratic primary, although many union leaders, meeting at their state political convention, complained of his support for the war in Iraq and foreign trade agreements. Many sounded loud "nays" when the voice vote was called.

"He's endorsed," John W. Olsen, the chairman of the state A.F.L.-C.I.O., said after the vote, which followed comments by the several dozen speakers — some passionate, some conflicted — who formed lines at the two floor microphones.

Most of the speakers expressed support, noting the senator's efforts in his three terms to protect workers in industries ranging from clothing to submarine manufacturing. Many said, however, that his challenger, Ned Lamont, a businessman from Greenwich who owns a cable television company, is a fresh face who will better serve their interests and stand up to President Bush on issues like the war and trade.

After the vote, Mr. Olsen was asked whether the "nays," which were not far below the "yeas" in volume, suggested that labor leaders were split over the endorsement, and he noted that no one had challenged the vote after it was complete.

[saigon68]

1. Joementum Limpmann "Limps along"

[Dr.Phool]

2. I'm so glad my Union was thrown out of the AFL-CIO

Their endorsement process is highly flawed, and they have a recent history of baking losers in the primaries.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Love your post - the typo made it even more appropriate

"baking" losers in the primaries

[cliss]

8. Yes, didn't they endorse

Gephart for president back in 2000? Sheesh, and this was close to the election too.

[Bandit]

10. Gephart probably had done more for Unions than any other

person in Congress at that time. He was 100% backed by all the Unions...

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. A win is a win

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. Luke warm at best. n/t

[Acadia Blue]

6. Get Real! Support the corporatist who will sell them down river.

[stepnw1f]

7. Stupid Sellouts (nt)

[MrPrax]

9. Why do they do this shit...

Any union when faced with a devisive vote on external endorsements like this should simply 'stand down' and release the membership. This is precisely what gets the rank and file piss-off and makes life miserable for the shop floor steward (been there, done that) when they are trying to do the actual business of the union.

Executives can't MAKE the members vote, so it really comes down to the MONEY. That's the rub--the union members who are working for Lamont, now basically have their own money working against them.

It's the democratic primary; not the election....so shut up and stop inventing reasons for workers to hate their fellow workers. There is no gain for the membership in all this.

[goforit]

11. Unions are failing permanently.

[Lance_Boyle]

12. Dinosaur supports DINO

Dog bites man story if there ever was one.