January 5, 2008 - 9:28 am - Posted by WTH
We reported about some union violence in Somerville, Mass. a few days ago, and now here is an update.
Charles Carneglia, owner of Russell Disposal, claimed to the Somerville News that union members who have been picketing his place of business drew a gun and a knife on him. He says he pulled his own gun and they backed off. While I won’t necessarily believe this story must be true, it wouldn’t be too surprising if it were. Not after the violence that union members have been responsible for in this case.
In fact, more union members were arrested by police for disorderly conduct as they picketed the disposal service last Thursday.
According to the Somerville News:
Close to 100 Teamsters from Local 25 and 70 police officers dressed in riot gear with wooden sticks in hand pushed each other back and forth as police removed the padlock from the gate. Minor scuffles broke out in the crowd and 10 Teamsters were arrested “for rude, offensive and threatening conduct,” according to police.
The situation, though, is telling. The union continues to harass this business and its employees even though the majority of those same employees rejected union representation in a vote not long ago. The voting down of the union was by “a wide margin” according to reports.
Yet, still, this union continues to harass everyone at Russell Disposal, despite what the voice of the “little man” told the union to go do with their representation!
Yeah, them thar union fellers is all about “democracy,” ain’t they?
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January 4, 2008 - 9:11 am - Posted by WTH
Ooopsie. Just after his winning the Hawkeye Caucus comes word that the folks in unions across America are a tad upset with former Arkansas Guv Mike Huckabee for crossing the picket lines of the writer’s strike to visit on air with Jay Leno.
The Huckster was not long ago endorsed by the Machinists union (IAM), but they aren’t too happy with his picket line crossing. President of the IAM, Tom Buffenberger was none too happy, apparently.
“Governor Huckabee should not cross the picket line. We have made that abundantly clear to his campaign. With such missteps, he risks losing the support his jobs and economic policies have won for him among trade unionists who will attend the GOP caucuses in Iowa or will vote in the later primaries.”
I don’t imagine that Huckabee will be too broken hearted with this pique, though. Now that Huck is an unexpected GOP front runner, it is doubtful that having a union mad at him will hurt him much. In fact, it could give him GOP street cred! After all, the IAM also endorsed Hillary Clinton! What self respecting Republican wants to be in THAT company?
Of course, this is one more reason to reassess supporting Huckabee. But that is another story for another blog…
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January 1, 2008 - 2:56 pm - Posted by WTH
When even union members cross picket lines, I’d say that unions are seeing their once axiomatic power seriously waning. Such was the case in Kentucky today. This from the Lexington Herold-Leader via the AP:
Ellis Park workers walk off job
AT ISSUE ARE PAY CUT, ELIMINATION OF SOME BENEFITS
Parimutuel clerks went on strike and started picketing Tuesday at Ellis Park, where they were being asked to take a 24 percent pay cut.
The clerks’ contract expired Monday night, leading to their first strike at the track.
A track official said it had no problem staffing the parimutuel windows.
“Ten people are working today,” said Bob Jackson, Ellis Park director of operations. “I only had seven scheduled. But I had some volunteer to work, so I told them to go ahead and come in.”
Picketers saw four union members cross the line, including two who work at the betting windows and two who work in the office, said Service Employees International Union Local 514 President Herman Fehler.
Union members overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer Friday that would have reduced wages from $15.80 to $12 an hour and eliminated certain fringe benefits.
Carl Renck, a clerk and member of the negotiating committee, has said union members merely want the current salaries and benefits to continue.
Track owner Ron Geary said contract concessions are needed to help keep the track, which is losing money, afloat until it is known whether Kentucky lawmakers and voters will agree to amend the state constitution to allow casino gambling at racetracks.
The union represents about 150 parimutuel clerks who work the betting windows and in related jobs at the track.
Not only did some union members cross the picket lines to work anyway, but the union itself is barely struggling to keep things the same as before the strike instead of trying to extort more money and benefits. Looks like trouble at the track, doesn’t it?
It also looks like the beginning of more union troubles for 2008, fortunately. Perhaps the right to work is beginning to beat the fetid unions at last?
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