Why aren't the Baseball, Basketball and Football unions not openly

[WCGreen]

supporting the attacks on labor going on across the country.

These are the highest profile Unions left in this country and if these particular Union Members come out in support of the journeymen and women who are hanging on by a thread it would certainly draw attention to their plight.

After all, it was the Union Members who fought and died so that the Union Movement in this country set the table for their own success.

Or what about the actors union?

Come on, walk a picket line, stand up for the rights of your fellow union comrades, make it look like you are really part of the labor movement and not just a bunch of hacks who used the principles of the union movement for your personal gain.

[Psephos]

1. I don't see much overlap there with the typical middle-class union worker.

Most professional athletes have been treated as special-privilege elites since their athletic talent was discovered in childhood.

There is little beyond the word "union" to connect them to the average wage-earner.

[deaniac21]

2. bingo

[Gidney N Cloyd]

11. The pro sports unions do have concerns with retirement and disability benefits.

Not every player dies healthy and wealthy. Then there's the concern for minimum salaries (albeit on a much larger scale) and working conditions. I wouldn't expect the entire NFL Players Association to hit the streets but I am surprised they don't get some guys out there to make a symbolic presence.

[WCGreen]

14. Really, just some kind of support from the baseball players, the football

and basketball players...

[MineralMan]

3. Because players' unions are not like other unions.

It's all about lawyers and agents trying to get everything possible from owners, and owners trying to stay under the salary cap. It has very little to do with real labor concerns.

[trumad]

6. bullshit

So its all the players fault.... poor owners trying to stay under the cap as they reap milions.

Who made the fucking cap? The fucking owners.

[MineralMan]

9. Whatever you say.

[liberal N proud]

4. Pro sports players association don't have much in common with the Labor Unions

The players are are rich people with an association that is supposed to help them get richer whereas Labor Unions provide a support system fighting for fair wages and safe work places.

[The2ndWheel]

12. Odd way of looking at it

[WCGreen]

15. I know a lot of successful electricians who still walked the

line when they were called upon.

One of the strongest part of the Unions are the retired Union members who still go out and walk the pickets, hand out flyers, stay involved...

[liberal N proud]

23. My father taught me to never cross the picket line

I have worked a union job and understand what it means to have the union in your corner.

[Brother Buzz]

5. NFL playesr union did offer support for the public-sector union workers in Wisconsin

That should count for something. :shrug:

[Greybnk48]

8. A group of Packers issued a statement of support

back in March and Gilbert Brown has robo calls in WI today.

[WCGreen]

16. That certainly a good start....

But this isn't just about Wisconson, it's about what is happening to the country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Partly it is because of the pay

remember when Baby Rooth lived in the same neighborhood he played at?

But the President of the NFL did make some interesting statements and offered support to the Wisconsin struggle

[trumad]

10. uhh bullshit thread

The NFL union does support the Wisconsin unions.

http://m.nflplayers.com/articles/press-releases/nflpa-supports-organized-labor-efforts-in-wisconsin/

The Green Bay Packers have shown strong support.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110215/GPG0101/110215099/Green-Bay-Packers-players-alumni-back-Wisconsin-union-workers-rights

[WCGreen]

13. It's not a bullshit thread because I didn't hear anything about it...

A press release on NFL players website and an article in one newspaper certainly does not make a national statement...

And it isn't just about what's going on now, it's what is going on since they decided to unionize when other unions didn't cross the picket lines they set up back in the 60's and 70's...

[trumad]

20. Well then do your research before you blast the NFL Union.

[MilesColtrane]

17. I dont' think you want player's unions "supporting the attacks".

Or then again, maybe you do?

:shrug:

[WCGreen]

21. I certainly did not mean it that way...

i was called away for a bit and didn't get back until the edit time was over...

[MilesColtrane]

22. Are you a member of a union?

[MilesColtrane]

24. Nothing?

You don't want to talk?

I'm hurt.

[Modern_Matthew]

18. Because all they're good for is tossing a ball back and forth. nt

[Posteritatis]

19. Now now, they occasionally hit things with sticks too. (nt)

[Zax2me]

25. Because the money they earn makes them the 'filthy rich'

Unless they get a pass but all money is green so I don't see why they would.