The Labor Movement F****d Up By Supporting Hillary Clinton

[NWCorona]

"Though unions have woefully declined in power over the course of the past generation, they still represent the biggest unified force of average workers in the political sphere. In the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton definitively won the union endorsement race over Bernie Sanders months ago. Though Sanders’ policies are objectively closer to the ones that the labor movement calls for, many major unions made the political calculation that Hillary is the likely nominee and the best chance for a Democratic White House, and that it would be wise to get on board with her early on.

In the past few months, the landscape has changed. Donald Trump’s nomination is now a distinct probability. Bernie Sanders, who has steadily polled well against Donald Trump in a head-to-head matchup, is still in the race, and engenders a level of grassroots enthusiasm that Hillary does not. After an early wave of union endorsements that mostly went for Hillary, the AFL-CIO decided not to endorse anyone at all in the primary, in a nod to the strength of Sanders’ support. The labor movement could be excused for looking at the political situation as it stands today and wondering why the hell they didn’t endorse Bernie Sanders early on—because if Trump gets nominated, Bernie Sanders could actually win the White House, making him the most pro-labor president in living memory."

http://gawker.com/the-labor-movement-fucked-up-supporting-hillary-clinton-1764719202

[BillZBubb]

1. Labor leadership is too tightly aligned with the DNC.

They jumped in line to support the DNC backed favorite. Too bad they didn't wait for a true pro-labor candidate to emerge. Labor continues to shoot itself in the foot.

[NWCorona]

2. Agreed!

[rhett o rick]

6. In politics it's best to back the winner. Otherwise you might feel the bad side

of retribution. I don't think that would happen with a Sanders win but I certainly can imagine it happening with a Clinton victory. She is tough. It's sort of like Pascal's Wager. "I don't know if there would be terrible retribution if I don't support Clinton but I don't want to risk it."

Same with the super-delegates and endorsers. Many may wish to support Sanders but they are afraid of the possible consequences should Clinton get the power. Did I mention that she is tough.

[BillZBubb]

10. That presupposes she is the winner. The labor leadership should have waited.

They didn't have to endorse anyone early on.

Whether they endorse her or not, she is not going to be good for labor. She's never met a trade deal she didn't like--or rather her corporate friends didn't like.

[rhett o rick]

27. Early on she looked like a sure winner. Everyone, except the Left, underestimated the power

of the People's Movement.

[Punkingal]

22. I find that reasoning deplorable.

What is she going to do to them? This talk of retribution is just ridiculous. Why kind of Democrat is she that she would punish labor? I sure want to vote for that kind of Democrat.

[rhett o rick]

29. I didn't say she would punish labor, although I know she won't be their friend. I said that the

Leaders were afraid of her. The Leaders have martini's with the Party Elite and that would end. They would lose access. Maybe we have a different view of H. Clinton. She is very tough, Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan tough. Some (not me) claim Richard Cheney tough. Ask her fans why they support her and they will all tell you because she is tough. Authoritarians love their tough leaders.

[SoapBox]

34. TPP...the Gold Standard of Trade Agreements.

That is but one example of how much she "cares" about labor.

All she cares about is big money, big power and Wall Street...none of those are friendly to labor.

[Cassiopeia]

25. I think that's a foolish position to take (on labor's part)

If Hillary wins the GE she will still treat labor as the enemy because they want a fair share of profits. Labor wants that fair share of the profits and that takes a little bit out of the pockets of the 1%. Hillary will not allow that to happen and will do whatever she must to secure the wealth for herself and her closest friends and labor will continue to be her victim in that goal.

[rhett o rick]

31. There is a difference between "labor" and "labor Leaders". Many Labor Leaders are part

of the Establishment. They are like lobbyists and have connections with government. It's the Leaders that will be punished for their lack of allegiance.

[SoapBox]

35. Yes!

[Bernblu]

41. They didn't see their position as being as dire as it is.

I think they miscalculated dearly and it may cost them if Bernie doesn't win. If the Republicans win against Hillary, the weaker candidate, unions are no doubt up the creek for the near future.

If Hillary wins it would mean a continuation of neoliberal economic and trade policies that are slowly killing the middle class and causing an economic race to the bottom. As the middle class slowly dies support for public sector unions will be undermined. We've seen this happen in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Teachers and other public sector workers will have to make do with less wages. Private sector workers will continue to be affected by bad trade policies and you can be bet your bottom dollar that Hillary will support TPP with minor cosmetic changes. Wages for the fewer manufacturing jobs left will continue to plummet as the race to the bottom continues. Computer jobs will continue to be outsourced. So, even professional and creative workers will be affected more and more by outsourcing.

It was time for unions to make a stand and fight. They chose to take the easy way out and try to make a deal to protect their own little turf. They had the perfect candidate in Bernie to make a stand but they blew it big time. If the unions leaders of a hundred years ago were like today's union leaders, unions wouldn't exist today. Unfortunately with today's union leaders, unions may not exist in 20 years if they don't learn to fight and help elect leaders who protect American jobs and support unions actively like Bernie. Hopefully, Bernie will win big tomorrow and win the nomination and presidency.

[monicaangela]

3. I believe labor movements

As stated were making a calculation. If you will remember in the beginning HRC was winning in every poll and many had Sanders and O"Malley at single digit percentages. I don't like the idea of labor unions, super delegates are anyone coming out so early for any one candidate. I don't mind their endorsing someone, but I do believe they should give all candidates an opportunity before trying to influence the race.

[Trajan]

4. It's not the Labor 'Movement' that had picked her

It's the leadership ranks who have embraced her candidacy ... The Rank and File are overwhelmingly behind Sanders ...

I'm guessing there were 'Katy Perry' payments involved ... Wouldn't YOU sellout your own constituency for a Pile O'Filthy Lucre!

When Money gets transacted for political arm twisting, it is inherently corrupt ....

[rhett o rick]

7. Exactly right. Often the Labor Leaders and the Leaders of Organizations like Planned Parenthood,

are part of the Establishment.

[SoapBox]

36. Yes...again!

[SusanCalvin]

19. ^THIS^

[dmosh42]

5. This goes back to B. Clinton's presidency when the union leaders endorsed him for the sake of Dem...

unity. This after it was known his wife was on the board previously of Walmart, the great anti-labor corporation. I am proud that as a life member of the CWA(Communications Workers), my union endorsed Bernie Sanders. This is what they mean by low-information voters, when the members blindly follow their leaders, or maybe the media, rather than look into the past history of candidates like Hillary.

[Jitter65]

9. Yes, and working men and women will tell you they never made more money, had more

savings, and enjoyed a high standard of living than they did under the two Clinton administrations. That's what they remember, that is a fact. White, black, brown and all. That's what they remember.

[BillZBubb]

12. Then they have poor memories.

Real median wages remained sluggish under Clinton. They weren't as bad as under the bushes, but they weren't great. Near the end of Clinton's second term, employment was very good, but real wages didn't match that.

What union members do remember is NAFTA, which cost unions lots of jobs and began the decimation of the middle class.

[rhett o rick]

32. That was what is called "A Bubble". And many will remember that that Bubble broke

and hurt a lot of people.

[Herman4747]

8. Hillary did nothing but praise WalMart, and own its stock...

Link: Clinton Remained Silent As Wal-Mart Fought Unions

[pdsimdars]

11. And the establishment Democrats have not done anything for them for a long time

Obama promised they'd get card check. . . not so much.
And Obama promised they'd be in the negotiations for any new trade deals . . .not there either.
And yet, they don't seem to have learned a THING! Does money and power blind everyone? That's probably why it's good to have some "want" in life. If keeps you honest.

[rhett o rick]

33. It's not the rank and file but the Leaders that are choosing Clinton. The Big Money of Labor. nm

[Lizzie Poppet]

13. The more Bernie's message gets out...

...the more rank-and-file union members will tell their leadership to fuck off.

But will it be in time...?

[murielm99]

39. This again?

All they haves to do is get to know him!

[Cal Carpenter]

14. There is a clear distinction between the rank-and-file and leadership

as far as I can tell among the people I know.

The use of the word 'movement' in that headline seems out of place. The labor movement - as in on-the-ground activism to organize workers and raise minimum wage, job protections, etc has not shown much support for Hillary. It is a very independent movement in terms of partisan politics, it precedes this primary fight and will last long beyond it. I'd even go so far to say that the timing of Bernie's success has a lot to do with social movements in recent years - that he wouldn't be getting this far if Occupy, FightFor15, ROC and other workers' centers, etc hadn't been making so many waves in the last several years. His message aligns more closely than Hillary's by far.

Perhaps I'm just nitpicking the choice to use the word 'movement' but as someone who also tends to focus more on social movements than partisan politics as the real driver of change, it really irks me.

[WillyT]

15. Huge K & R !!!

[flamingdem]

16. LaborForBernie on Facebook page + 20k strong Unite Here in CA endorses Bernie

https://www.facebook.com/LaborForBernie

UNITE HERE Locals in California Endorse Sanders

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday welcomed an endorsement from four UNITE HERE locals, which represent more than 19,000 hotel, casino and food service workers in Northern California.
https://berniesanders.com/press-release/unite-locals-california-endorse-sanders/

“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of hotel and restaurant workers in Northern California,” Sanders said. “This campaign is building a movement of millions of Americans who are demanding that our economy works for everyone, not just the top one percent. The UNITE HERE locals in Northern California are an important part of this movement which is spreading to every corner of our country. I am grateful for their support.”

Northern California’s UNITE HERE members clean hotel rooms, cook and serve food in restaurants, airports and ballparks and staff casinos. Most are women, immigrants and people of color, who have been hit hard by the region’s spiraling income inequality, crippling health care costs and frequent attacks on low-wage workers’ rights.

“Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for working people and the middle class,” said Robert Flatt, a cook at Thunder Valley Casino and member of UNITE HERE Local 49. “He believes in equal pay for women, expanding Social Security and raising the minimum wage. He supports bills that make it easier for workers to form unions and have a voice in their workplace.”
14

[vintx]

21. This should be an OP

Or maybe it is and I didn't see it.

[highprincipleswork]

17. If we stand together, there is nothing we cannot do. I mean without labor bosses too. GOTV Bernie!

[Duval]

18. K&R. nt

[merrily]

20. Follow the Money. Executives of large unions are not labor; they're plutocrats.

[Betty Karlson]

23. But hardly as much as did the Human Rights Campaign!

[PassingFair]

24. CWA Supporting Bernie!

Members were actually polled!

[ieoeja]

26. Friday night at the bar....

At 54 years of age I was the youngest person in the bar. As an IT professional I was the only non-union person in the bar. As we were laughing and cheering on the anti-Trump protestors on the TV the one usually angry racist sat quietly in the corner for a change.

The one other Republican in the group, a retired fireman, was laughing and cheering along with the rest of us. Because he absolutely hates Trump. "But," he finally added, "there is no way I could ever vote for Hillary."

Several other people in the bar, all of them union members, piped up in agreement. The only Hillary supporter turned out to be a union rep who was at the bar. And he made no secret of his shock to learn that all these people would not vote for her should she be the nominee.

[PowerToThePeople]

28. Member's votes are their own.

The endorsements are just another false storyline, similar to unpledged delegate counts prior to the convention.

My union backed HRC, but I have met zero people at my plant who will caucus for her.

[2banon]

30. It wasn't the Labor "Movement". It was the Labor Bosses. BIG DIFFERENCE.

Rank and File did NOT support HRC. Rank and File is naturally aligned with Bernie for very obvious reasons.

The Bosses on the other hand, unfortunately as with any and every other organization, across the spectrum, business, non-profits, religious, ngo's, charities, political action organizations etc. tend to be corrupted or compromised, which is apparently the nature of the beast of human civilizations since forever.

But I take your point. and agree.

[Cryptoad]

37. Math says there is NO Path to Victory for Bern.

looks like Labor knows basic counting and got it right

[NurseJackie]

38. Curses! Foiled again by ... MATH! :-P

[Cryptoad]

40. I can see the,,,

validity of all these test scores showing how poorly our young students grasp Math.

[Ken Burch]

42. The right-wing leadership of SOME of the labor movement did.

I do respect Rich Trumka for keeping the AFL-CIO neutral so far.