Daily Kos: Todd Palin, Steel Worker: Union Responds

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/29/172321/426/414/579294

by Bendygirl
Fri Aug 29, 2008 at 02:29:16 PM PDT

I got so freaking pissed by all the media reports of Todd Palin being a "proud card carrying union member" so I did a little digging and learned he's a District 12 local 4959 (ps, it's public information).

In my furious activity, I dropped a line to the Steelworkers for something from them and thought I'd share it with everyone. The press release is also available on Uniongal.

* Bendygirl's diary :: ::
*

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:

Wayne Ranick
[phone] or

412. 901-8442 (c)

August 29, 2008


Statement by USW International president Leo W. Gerard on John McCain’s selection of Sara Palin as his running mate:

"It is important to realize that while the governor’s husband is a member of a union, this does not automatically qualify her for an on-the-job training program to become a heartbeat away from the presidency. And while her husband is one of 850,000 dues-paying members of the steelworkers union, it does nothing to absolve Sen. McCain of his long history of anti-union sentiment and anti-worker actions, including continuously pushing an anti-working family agenda that:

*Opposes giving workers the right to bargain collectively;

*Jeopardizes retirement security by privatizing social security;

*Further threatens job security by signing more job-stealing trade deals without the regard to human rights and environmental abuses; and,

*Erodes the ability of working families to secure quality health care by taxing their employer -provided coverage for both active and retired workers.

McCain’s choice is another example of his poor judgment and his desire to play politics as usual. McCain-Palin is not a team that works for working families. The first-term governor’s record is thin and divisive. And John McCain has a life-long record of being for the rich and powerful. No union card can hide that any more than Ronald Regan's union card did."




UPDATED

just wanted to note how much I love this freaking line from the Steelworkers:

The first-term governor’s record is thin and divisive. And John McCain has a life-long record of being for the rich and powerful. No union card can hide that any more than Ronald Regan's union card did."

My dad was the secretary of his local and my grandfather was a proud steelworker, attending every meeting I can remember. I've heard nothing about this guy that says he's remotely worthy of the same esteem I have for my Steelworker upbringing. Hell, has he even done anything for his locked out union brothers and sisters in Van Wert Ohio? BTW, he does realize that's around the corner from Dayton, doesn't he? Did he bother to help them out while he stood by his wife today?

I want to know where Palin stands on Employee Free Choice as a proud union member and where he stands on the collective bargaining rights of first responders. Come on media, before calling him a proud union member, ask him where he stands on THE ISSUES at the heart of the labor movement.

Come on Traditional Media, Fucking Do your JOBS!!

[Minimus]

1. Great post! Thank goodness for DU!

edit for typo

[Catch22Dem]

2. Good work. Kick.

[mzmolly]

3. Nice!

:D

[Somawas]

4. Proud to give this the 5th rec.

eom

[spanone]

5. k&r

[calimary]

6. Love it!

:thumbsup:

Thanks for posting!

Go UNION!

[Kdillard]

7. love it k and r

[mod mom]

8. "Fucking Do your JOBS!" Unfortunately they are beholden to the corporations not the

general welfare of the nation. :mad:

Thanks for this info, Steve!

[Omaha Steve]

9. I contacted the original author Bendygirl over at the Kos last night

She was very happy to see all the R's!