Democratic Candidates Speak Out in Support of Auto Workers

[Coexist]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/09/25/democratic-candidates-speak-out-in-support-of-auto-workers/

Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.):

I fully support the UAW’s right to strike. American automakers have made promises to their hard-working employees and must do their best to uphold those commitments. Both sides in these talks are stuck between a rock and a hard place, and I urge them to return to the table and find a resolution as quickly as possible. Today’s events remind us that American automakers need help with health care costs. To keep health care affordable I believe we have to help employers or union-run health plans with catastrophic costs to keep health care affordable for workers, retirees, and their families.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.):

There is a role for presidential leadership. Over the last several years the Big Three automakers and the UAW sought repeatedly to have a meeting in the White House with the president to talk about the issues that affected our auto industry and they were rebuffed repeatedly. Finally there was a meeting that occurred with no follow-up.

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.):

The United Auto Workers is taking a brave step forward on behalf of all union members today by standing up for their very basic rights to organize and fight for quality and secure health care for their members. I have long supported the right to collectively bargain, the need for safe workplaces, fair wages, and secure retirements for our nation’s workers. I find it terribly discouraging that such a prominent company as General Motors does not appear to share these beliefs, and is putting other priorities ahead of the health and well-being of its workers. Working people in this country are the key to a strong, vibrant and expanding middle class—no company should stand in the way of that. I hope that the strong action taken by the UAW demonstrates to GM that its unwillingness to negotiate is simply unacceptable.

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.):

I offer my strong support to the striking auto workers and look forward to a fair and speedy settlement that will improve the lives of these hard-working UAW members. And I call on General Motors to do what is right and realize that it has a responsibility to negotiate fairly and move quickly to settle a contract that respects the health, safety and economic security of the auto workers and their families. I also salute the courage of the auto workers to go on strike. Their fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, affordable health care and a secure retirement helps raise standards for workers all across America.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio):

I strongly support the leadership and the membership of the UAW in their efforts to secure a new contract that provides job security, a fair wage, and solid benefits for workers and retirees…Until we have a truly universal, national, not-for-profit health insurance system that covers all Americans, workers will continue to be asked to bear the burden of paying more and more and getting less and less in return. And the retirement security of millions of UAW members will be at risk. I have always stood with my union brothers and sisters, and I’m proud to stand with the UAW now.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.):

The demands the union is fighting for—job security, the health benefits they were promised—are things that all workers should expect and that UAW members deserve. General Motors owes it to the UAW to come back to the bargaining table so that union members can go back to work.

Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.):

I am disappointed that it has come to this. But how can we ask American workers to secure our nation’s economic future if we do not allow them to secure theirs? Things have to change. For too long, workers have held up their end of the bargain while employers and the government have failed to do the same. A fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay, decent benefits, and reasonable job security. I hope that this strike will come to a quick resolution that is fair for both sides. As a nation, we have to do better by working families. I have the experience to bring people together and produce real change in this country. As President, I will nominate a union member as my Secretary of Labor and will stand with working Americans.

My thoughts:
Biden offered tepid support, but gets points for the difference universal healthcare would afford U.S. manufacturing.

Clinton - WTF was that??? Hello! Its about the strike, not Bush bashing, not everything is about you two.

Dodd, Edwards, Kucinich - right on!

Obama - Outright, strong support would have been better. You and Biden fall into the same category.

Richardson - does well, until a handler suggested putting, "I have the experience... yada yada yada" into it.

Your thoughts?

[Auggie]

1. That tells you a lot about Hillary Clinton...

[superkia]

2. I noticed the Bush speech too. She pointed out the obvious to the UAW.

Cant blame her, its about a campaign, not people.

[monktonman]

3. no more Hill inc. quotes please

I couldnt possibly hate that women anymore
and you show me this.
Anymore and my head is going to cave in.
please have mercy on me.

Oh, John frickin Edwards is the emineffin man!
Go John, Go! you rock!!!!!!!!

P.S. dont worry Hill, the big three auto makers got their meeting with Bush
bet on it. Pretty soon they'll probably be meeting with you as well.
What a shame.