Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumUnion-Busting Lawyer to Host Biden's 1st Fundraiser Thursday
However, first, on Thursday, Biden is hosting a $2,800 dollar-a-plate fundraiser at the mansion of Comcast Executive President David Cohen in Philadelphia. Among the dozen select political power players on the host committee for Bidens 1st fundraiser are Steven Cozen, founder and chairman of the union-busting law firm Cozen OConnor.
According to Cozen OConnor website, the firm specializes in union busting advertising that it helps employers to avoid unionization through positive employee relations and regain nonunion status when employees indicate they no longer wish to be union-represented.
The firm also boasts on its website that it helps employers to lock out their unionized workforce.
The inclusion of Cozen on Bidens first fundraiser raises lingering questions about Bidens continued commitment to organized labor and why so many labor leaders are eager to hop on board with Biden.
more...http://paydayreport.com/union-busting-lawyer-to-host-bidens-1st-fundraiser-thursday/
Link to tweet
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
WeekiWater
(3,259 posts)Cozen OConnor represents a broad spectrum of private and public sector employers in labor relations and disputes. For our unionized clients, we handle unfair labor practice proceedings and grievance arbitrations; negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements; prepare for and respond to picket lines, strikes, lockouts, and other economic campaigns; and work with employers during union election campaigns. We also help employers avoid unionization through positive employee relations and regain nonunion status when employees indicate they no longer wish to be union-represented. We are experienced labor litigators, appearing frequently before federal, state, and appellate courts; federal agencies and departments (such as the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, IRS, OSHA, and ICE); state agencies and departments; and arbitration panels.
For our unionized clients, our labor practice is committed to fostering constructive management-labor relations over the long term. Our focus is on protecting our clients interests, with a recognition that a working relationship with union counterparts is often a desired goal.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
progressoid
(50,020 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Fiendish Thingy
(15,711 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)This won't help your candidate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)"So what" is that I have a problem with Democratic politicians getting money from union-busters.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
gateley
(62,683 posts)he doesn't do that.
ETA: I'm not crazy about it either, wish it could all be "pure" money but he's gotta do what he's gotta do. I trust him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MyNameGoesHere
(7,638 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)Last edited Thu Apr 25, 2019, 07:46 PM - Edit history (1)
They all annoy me in different ways.
ETA: To clarify, there are those who would definitely bug me MORE if they were the nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)Where the money comes from...as long it is not illegal.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,020 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
WeekiWater
(3,259 posts)Many outfits with expertise in this area offer their services to a wide variety of people. I know that doesn't fit the narrative built in the topic line.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brooklynite
(95,006 posts)Read again; they represent "unionzed" employers.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)He is one of 12 on the board,. You need money. My daughter works in corporate accounting and is very liberal. Should she banned from Democratic politics?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)at all.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,364 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
progressoid
(50,020 posts)They aren't representing the unions, but the companies that have to deal with the unions.
They even brag about their victories:
https://www.cozen.com/practices/labor-employment/labor-relations-disputes
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,020 posts)But Warren, Buttigieg, Inslee & Sanders are inching up the ladder. Thanks for asking.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
tymorial
(3,433 posts)How...... novel. I would have never thought to do this.... like so so so many others.
And just in case this wasn't obvious (honestly why don't people read)
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
progressoid
(50,020 posts)They don't represent Union members.
Cozen OConnors traditional labor attorneys demonstrate a real commitment to understanding and supporting their clients business goals. We think not only about the technical legal matters, but also about how labor issues connect in a practical sense to business operations and strategy. Our attorneys manage labor relations with a clear eye toward the bottom line.
SERVICE AREAS- Defend clients in unfair labor practice proceedings and handle grievance arbitrations
- Negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements
- Prepare for and respond to picketing, strikes, lockouts and other economic tactics
- Work with employers to avoid unionization through positive employee relations or to regain nonunion status when employees no longer wish to be union-represented
- Advise clients on the labor relations consequences of business events, including mergers, spin-offs, acquisitions, and bankruptcies
- Represent employers in significant labor-related litigations, mediations, and arbitrations
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
tymorial
(3,433 posts)"For our unionized clients, we handle unfair labor practice proceedings and grievance arbitrations; negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements; prepare for and respond to picket lines, strikes, lockouts, and other economic campaigns; and work with employers during union election campaigns."
Rather than delete upon re- reading you may have a point that this does indicate he does not represent unions.
I do stand behind my comment about headline reaction because it is fairly common though my misinterpretation of the article here is obvious.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Understood.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,020 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)Nice try....fail.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,020 posts)They're talking about the employers, not the employees.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
tymorial
(3,433 posts)Our Twitter culture has reduced information to short paragraphs. Context be damned.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Except for the Sacred Cows, which Joe ain't one.
Nice try, but ineffective. Try again.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)Hubs is in management in manufacturing and has worked every election in the last 20 years. I suppose that means he is not pure enough. How about this ,..Joe needs money and I don't care.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,020 posts)My spouse works for a large medical corporation and has also been active in Democratic politics for the last couple decades.
No one is saying that all corporations (or people who work for them) are evil. However, if my spouse or I was a lawyer working against the interests of labor, I guarantee the local people (most of whom are pro-union) who work on the ground would be correctly concerned that we were on their side.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cuthbert Allgood
(5,010 posts)Or did you not figure that part out yet?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)Unfortunately people don't get into the guts of an article or past the headline. The premise of the OP's headline/article is false, if not blatantly offensive. As has already been posted here, Steven Cozen is NOT a "union buster", but I guess that doesn't fit the narrative.
Here's the FIRST sentence in the article in the OP:
Why would the President of the Pittsburgh local of the United Steelworkers Union endorse Biden if he's a buddy of a "union buster".
Has anyone bothered to look into the background/history of the author of that hit piece, Mike Elk? For one thing, he was employed by the Obama/Biden campaign, perhaps he was dismissed or has an ax to grind for some reason? He was also named 2015 Man of the Year by The Washington Free Beacon!!
https://freebeacon.com/men-of-the-year/2015-man-of-the-year-mike-elk/
Seems mighty suspicious that someone who was the Free Beacon's Man of the Year is now falsely characterizing Steven Cozen and his association with Joe Biden.
Sorry, the credibility of the characterization of the people discussed in that article is, as it should be, suspect.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)He has gotten support from union leaders and some rank and file. There is a difference.
That's the kind of question I'd like to see more people in labor asking -- especially because Gerard is the president of the international, not the local.
Anyway, I'm still not seeing any evidence that Cozen does other work than busting and suppressing unions and their members.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
progressoid
(50,020 posts)From the linked article.
In recent years, the Steelworkers have garnered a reputation as being one of the more conservative unions in the labor movement...
many of the labor leaders of the more white-male lead construction and manufacturing unions like Gerard have decided to get behind Biden.
...
For many in the rank and file of the increasingly diverse labor movement, the decision of so many old white male labor leaders to hop on Biden, an inconsistent an ally of organized labor, is head-scratching.
The people who run American labor are often stupid. This is obvious wrote African American Pittsburgh-area union activist Phillip Shropshire on facebook.
Also, seems like the Free Beacon Man of the Year piece was sarcasm.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,410 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brooklynite
(95,006 posts)Just figured I'd get that out of the way so we can have an informed discussion...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dogman
(6,073 posts)Seems like having your cake and eating it too.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,522 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)be no shortage of this for next 18 months by GOP and the ones who should be on our side who are never happy unless they get their way, no matter how small a minority they are
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marylandblue
(12,344 posts)Have the primaries been cancelled?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,169 posts)The Comcast part pisses me off even more.
https://readsludge.com/2019/04/23/net-neutrality-skeptic-joe-biden-is-attending-a-fundraiser-held-by-comcasts-top-lobbyist/
I will support whoever our nominee is but I think this election is a chance for real change. Not a time for compromising on actual progressive positions like net neutrality.
Fuck Comcast.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,169 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)The over the top headline is a bit much.
One of the reasons why Silicon Valley and the high tech world in general are not unionized to any significant extent is firms in that sector lead on pay and benefits at every level, as well as other things that are just catching on at more traditional companies, such as wellness programs and bonuses to all employees for good operating results.
The firm gives out that advice, based upon a read of their charter.
BTW, you ignored that they advise firms not to layoff jobs that they latter ignore laid off employees for when rehiring for those jobs. That bit of information doesn't fit the headline's narrative.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Advisors sounds much nicer than union busters.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
hedda_foil
(16,379 posts)Joe is being sold exactly as every other establishment endorsed nominee of lo these many years. Shall we count the won-lost record of these nominees the party establishment considered most electable vs those who weren't their preferred nominee? Let's see.
Year Name Won/Lost Most "Electable"?
1976 Jimmy Carter Won No
1980 Carter Lost Yes
1984 Mondale Lost Yes
1988 Dukakis Lost Yes
1992 Clinton Won No
1996 Clinton Won No
2000 Gore Lost Yes (ran away from Clinton, as advised)
2004 Kerry Lost Yes
2008 Obama Won No (Hillary was their favorite)
2012 Obama Won Yes
2016 H. Clinton Lost Yes
2020 Biden? Yes
Yes there are decent excuses to be made for all the losses, but the won-lost record of the Democratic establishment sucks. Anyone who supports a candidate because they're supposed to be the most electable should probably ask "Says Who?"
`
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)1932: FDR Yes:Yes
Earlier (when repugh was decent) TR. Yes:Yes
Woodrow Wilson Yes:Yes
So, Yes:Yes did win and do significant stuff. What was the key? They all ran against a deeply flawed opponent.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
jalan48
(13,916 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Fiendish Thingy
(15,711 posts)Safe for whom?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,825 posts)Why the deceptive post...do you find it more effective, we'll It's not.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
progressoid
(50,020 posts)David L. Cohen is an American businessman, attorney, and political figure in Pennsylvania. He is best known for being a close confidant of former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell. He currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, and he is the executive vice president of Comcast;[3] the company's chief of lobbying.[4]
...
In February 2013, Cohen endorsed sitting Republican Governor Tom Corbett for the Governor's potential re-election bid.[15]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_L._Cohen
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,364 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Celerity
(43,771 posts)Now they are doing the same with MFA and even the much milder buy-in option. No chance Biden should get a free pass on this.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1002805314
As the Supreme Court readies to announce their decision on the individual mandate portion of the health reform, it has emerged that the largest health care lobbying group in the country spent a total of $102.4 million in just 15 months to prevent Obamacare from becoming law in the first place.
In 2009 alone, Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) pumped $86.2 million into a conservative lobbying group, the US Chamber of Commerce, to combat President Obamas health care reform plan. But with the added months of 2010 prior to the ACAs March passage, AHIP piled on an additional $16 million to be used against the bill.
That staggering total, which the National Journals Influence Alley uncovered today, was not out in the open rather, the funds were transferred through a secretive process and listed only by the organization as advocacy spending:
The backchannel spending allowed insurers to publicly stake out a pro-reform position while privately funding the leading anti-reform lobbying group in Washington. The chamber spent tens of millions of dollars bankrolling efforts to kill health care reform.
more at link
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/06/13/499093/health-care-insurers-spent-100-million-to-combat-the-affordable-care-act/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)And here we go again already ...
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided