I'm from Jackson County where we have quite a few unionized workers due to industry and even the Republicans here like unions. Unfortunately most of the state has very weak to nonexistent unionization.
First the ads:
1. Union dues are often as little as a nickel an hour while union membership means substantial raises that makes that an amazing investment.
2. Union dues can not be used to contribute to politicians. It's against the law.
3. Minorities that belong to unions make far higher wages and receive better benefits than folks who aren't.
4. Union presidents lead huge organizations and just like the heads of corporations or major non-profits they deserve proper compensation.
What they are attacking is "card check" which unions support and is part of a proposed Employee Free Choice Act:
Employee Free Choice Act (S. 843; H.R. 1696). EFCA would (1) require employers to bargain with a union on the basis of card check recognition; (2) provide for mediation and arbitration for a first contract; and (3) increase penalties for employer violations of the NLRA.
...
The Employee Free Choice Act (S. 843; H.R. 1696) requires employers to recognize and bargain with unions who have demonstrated majority support on the basis of card check. With card-check recognition, the union is able to organize workers without the assault from a full-blown anti-union campaign, which is generally triggered at the moment a union files a representation petition with the NLRB. Without the interference and intimidation of an anti-union campaign, workers have a much higher rate of success in unionization drives.
It's infuriating to hear groups that oppose all government regulation of business run ads where they claim to be protecting workers. The found that this talking point was the most persuasive even if they don't even care about their justification for opposing the bill.
Similar ads are running in Colorado and Minnesota. This news report from Minnesota takes on the main (false) claim:
Now here's why the business front group Union Facts is spending money here:
The Employee Free Choice Act will have the votes to pass in the house from most Democrats and a few Republicans. President Barack Obama will sign the bill. This leaves only the Senate where even today it has the support to pass with a simple majority, but Republicans who hated the filibuster until they were in the minority have blocked it procedurally. This means the bill will need 60 supporters in the Senate to pass next year and Wicker and Cochran are votes against it. Ads like this and ones that will likely soon attack Ronnie Musgrove are aimed at keeping Republicans there.
Don't let big and anonymous money take away your power. Join and support a union if you can.
great post. Forty years ago the Conservatives sold Mississippi on the myth that if we kept the unions out, and kept wages low we would be awash in jobs. They lied. Support unions!
ReplyDeleteThe first ad isn't the exact one that's up, but it's almost the same.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they have the Mississippi one online.