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unions 
Tue Aug 17, 2010 at 02:14:40 AM MDT
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Sometimes stories happen because of planning; other times serendipity intervenes, which is how we got to the conversation we'll be having today.
In an exchange of comments on the Blue Hampshire site, I proposed an idea that could be of real value to unions, workers...and surprisingly, employers.
If things worked out correctly, not only would lots of people feel a real desire to have unions represent them, but employers would potentially be coming to unions looking to forge relationships, and, just to make it better, this plan bypasses virtually all of the tools and techniques employers use to shut out union organizers.
Since I just thought this up myself, I'm really not sure exactly how practical the whole thing is, and the last part of the discussion today will be provided by you, as I ask you to sound off on whether this plan could work, and if so, how it could be made better.
It's a new week...so let's all put our heads together and rebuild the labor movement, shall we?
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Thu Apr 29, 2010 at 07:51:26 AM MDT
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When one is looking at a statistic it is always worthwhile asking if the statistic is really measuring what you want to know. Take for example, a rating of dangerous jobs. In most of these lists you will find the number of deaths per 100,000 workers per year. This is an important statistic, since dying for your job is something we can all agree is something that is to be avoided. Still does it tell the whole story?
Mine workers have a 34.8 per 100,000 fatality rate in the United States (in 2008 the last year that statistics are available) with a serious injury rate of 6.5 per 100 workers per year. Those are really high numbers (though mining is only the fourth most dangerous job behind logging, commercial fishing and strangely enough farming), but they do not tell the real story.
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Sun Apr 25, 2010 at 19:22:53 PM MDT
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(I'm seeing more and more derision for SB191. What's going on? - promoted by Fong)
I don't know what it is that attracts them, but people who want to run experiments on other people's kids seem to like Colorado. Maybe it's the scenic vistas, maybe the skiing - more likely that we're a profoundly purple swing state with a lax ballot initiative process and no statewide collective bargaining agreement - but regardless, sometimes it seems like every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a plan to bust the unions and fix the schools eventually makes an appearance here. What's even worse is when the barn-burner turns out to be a native son with a - on the surface, anyway - spotless resume.
Michael Johnston, an "idealocrat" school "reinventor," former Obama advisor, and recently-minted state senator, is Colorado's designated water-carrier for a faction of reactionary school reformers with dark, data-driven plans for the future of schools. He has recently introduced Senate Bill 10-191 (pdf), the just-as-evil cousin of the odious Florida Senate Bill 6. Though we did not seek the battle, it seems it's the turn of Colorado educators to fight off a vicious, mean-spirited power grab by a gang bent on blaming and punishing teachers for every ill in the public education system.
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Tue Mar 23, 2010 at 14:59:11 PM MDT
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(Remember kids: You don't have to fight if you don't want to. - promoted by Fong)
I've been arguing all day with Romanoff supporters that Andrew's attempt to derail the reconciliation bill by insisting Michael Bennet only vote for it if the public option is included is dangerous. The AFL-CIO just described the situation far better than I could:
For Immediate Release
Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
On Health Care 'Poison Pill' Amendments
March 23, 2010
"A 'NO' on amendments is a 'YES' on health care."
As senators prepare to take up fixes to the historic legislation passed by the House late Sunday night, they cannot allow process, technicalities, or cynical ploys to derail the legislation. Republicans are going to use a "kitchen sink" amendment strategy, throwing everything they can at the bill to try to sink reform. This will include amendments on issues that we would otherwise strongly support.
Any amendment offered during this process is nothing more than a poison pill. A 'NO' on amendments is a 'YES' on health care.
Working families won't be fooled by dirty tricks from the opponents of health reform out to do the bidding of the insurance companies. And US Senators should not be fooled either. Just as we did in the House, unions will employ all our resources to support Senators in passing the reconciliation package and taking the last step on the path to health care reform for all Americans. We will make sure that constituents of Senators who do the right thing and vote "no" on all amendments know the score about what really goes on in the Senate.
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