Obama's Labor Day speech: B+

[bluestateguy]

Good fighting tone, liked the defense of labor and collective bargaining. Would have liked some more specifics about the future.

Thaz all.

[mattvermont]

1. or some historical

evidence of his support by having voiced his concerns in Wisconsin, Ohio, etc. last winter.
I am not a basher...just sayin'

[FrenchieCat]

2. Does actions done on same issue on one's own turf, speak as loudly as

voicing concern on an issue that is not in your jurisdiction? :shrug:


NLRB issues three decisions, two of which overturn Bush-era decisions
The NLRB has issued three more rulings following last week's announcement that employers would be required to notify workers of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Two of Tuesday's rulings overturn Bush-era NLRB rulings, both having to do with union decertifications.
more....
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/31/1012141/-NLRB-issues-three-decisions,-two-of-which-overturn-Bush-era-decisions


Labor Board Eases Path To Unions For Health Care Workers
08/30/11
WASHINGTON -- With the departure of the chairwoman of the National Labor Relations Board this past weekend, the board has been issuing a slew of last-minute rulings destined to please labor groups while irritating business interests and anti-union Republicans. Among the latest: a ruling made public on Tuesday that overturns a Bush-era decision and will likely make it easier for health care workers to unionize.

In the case, known as Specialty Healthcare, the board ruled that a group of nursing assistants at a facility in Mobile, Ala., could form their own bargaining unit without other types of nursing home staff, from maintenance workers to dietary aides. It's a decision that could greatly simplify the unionization process and, as HuffPost has previously reported, could have a huge impact on the growing and largely non-unionized nursing home industry.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/30/labor-board-unions-health-care-workers_n_942485.html


NLRB Proposes Removing ‘Unnecessary Barriers’ to Union Votes
06/22/11
Companies would have less time and opportunity to block unions under a proposed U.S. rule that would speed voting in labor elections.

The proposed rule issued today by the National Labor Relations Board, an agency that investigates unfair labor practices, would bring changes sought by unions, such as faster hearing deadlines and streamlined procedures.

The push for quicker elections is a victory for unions after defeats at the hands of Republican governors seeking to curb public-employee unions. It’s also a sign of the NLRB’s pro- labor bent since President Barack Obama’s appointees have become a majority, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
http://www.treasuryandrisk.com/2011/06/22/nlrb-proposes-removing-unnecessary-barriers-to-uni


How the Obama administration is Using Executive Power to Support Union Goals:What The NLRB’s Recent Complaint Reveals
04/25/11
http://pajamasmedia.com/ronradosh/2011/04/25/how-the-obama-administration-is-using-executive-power-to-support-union-goalswhat-the-nlrbs-recent-complaint-reveals/?singlepage=true



Screeners Under Obama May Give Federal Unions Biggest Vote Win in Years
03/09/11
A collective-bargaining vote by airport security workers that starts today may give federal employee groups their biggest victory in years, even as public workers in some states struggle to keep their union status.

The country’s two largest federal-employee unions are competing to represent the 44,000 screeners who can cast their ballots through April 19. The effort, which Senate Republicans failed to stop last month, may raise Transportation Security Administration costs if workers push through changes such as increased staffing.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-09/screeners-under-obama-may-give-federal-unions-main-win-in-years.html

Obama Gives Unions A Big Victory In Unionizing Air Travel Workers
05/11/10
WASHINGTON (AP) — Labor unions will have an easier time organizing workers at airline and railroad companies after the Obama administration on Monday changed a 76-year-old rule on union elections.

The change is a victory for unions that have struggled to reverse years of decline in membership. And it’s the most significant initiative so far in a string of White House moves intended to help organized labor.
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/obama-gives-unions-a-big-victory-in-unionizing-air-travel-workers




WHILE THE OPPOSITION DOES ITS THING!

Bill Introduced to Reverse President Obama's Executive Order on Project Labor Agreements
http://www.laborrelationstoday.com/2011/02/articles/executive-orders/bill-introduced-to-reverse-president-obamas-executive-order-on-project-labor-agreements

[mattvermont]

3. Frenchie

Although I do not understand your question, I greatly appreciate your examples of good work done.
I still naively ask: "Why can't Obama do more to publicly support state level unions?"

[Supply Side Jesus]

4. An attack on one is an attack on all

Union people understand this

[madrchsod]

7. the "shared sacrifice" was the last straw for the public workers unions..

[orpupilofnature57]

5. It's do or die trying time ,Jobs and putting Obstructionists aside.

[madrchsod]

6. nice speeches don`t mean nothing....

[Motown_Johnny]

8. I can agree with that, but man do I have problems with the way the event was run

First, I wasted over three and a half hours getting tickets to the event yesterday (not counting drive time) because when I showed up today the tickets were worthless. We were put into the same general admission line as people without any tickets.

Second, the venue itself sucked. It was set up nicely for the cameras but because it is such a narrow strip of land between the river and the building you could see in the background the vast majority of the crowd was way off to the side.

Third, the stage was way to fucking short. This was a standing room only event and having a stage so low to the ground completely screwed the vast majority of the crowd. How hard would it have been to lift the damn thing another three or four feet?

Fourth, after spending all the time getting worthless tickets and then getting downtown early to stand in line and then standing in my spot from about 10:00am, some freaking moron decides to open up part of the barrier to let the crowd into another area right in front of me/us. This was at ~12.25pm. So instead of having an OK spot to view from I, and everyone around me, were completely screwed. I could see him for maybe one minute at a time, sporadically, when people didn't have their arms up taking pictures. This pissed me off no end.

Fifth, the sound system was inadequate for the crowd. I could hear it fairly well but I wasn't that far back.

Sixth, Communication with the crowd was nonexistent. The one time they attempted to let us know what was up next was simply wrong. They also had someone on stage say "President Obama Is In The House!" and then the next person on stage said (paraphrasing) "It is my pleasure to introduce to you the President of ..... some freaking union that we did not know was going to speak". The collective groan from the crowd was so loud I thought maybe there was another earthquake in Virginia.



My worthless tickets were dispensed at my congressional district's headquarters and my congressman spoke at the rally, briefly. I plan on writing a letter to my congressman tomorrow expressing views similar to those that I have expressed here. I don't think it is a good idea to do it until I have calmed down a bit more. I don't know who set up the rally at the Capital in Lansing back in the spring but they should have set this one up too, no comparison.


The one bright spot was being stopped from crossing a street on my way back to my vehicle after the event. I was in the front row for the motorcade rolling past on the way out of town. That was fun.



Rant Off

[FrenchieCat]

9. Oh my! Sounds terrible.

Yes....you need to write you a real nice letter (this post ought to do it), and send it to various folks that may have had something to do with the organization of this. Who wants to be fired up and ready to go home cause folks made things less of an experience than what it should have been. That was an awful lot of time invested in what you did, and it should have been worth your while! I'm sorry just to read what you had to go through! :hug:

[Motown_Johnny]

11. no, it wasn't terrible. just a bit of a cluster f___

I am still glad I went but it could have been a much better experience if handled differently

[Brother Buzz]

10. I believe the fine people from Detroit graded it a bit higher

[lame54]

12. let's wait for the follow-through

[Romulox]

13. Did he mention the part about the "Free Trade" with South Korea? It'll put many in that audience

out of work.