Obama Says Michigan Labor Battle About 'The Right To Work For Less Money'

[Purveyor]

Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama weighed in on the contentious labor battle playing out in Michigan, condemning the Republican push to make Michigan a so-called "right-to-work" state as nothing more than a partisan maneuver that will hurt the working class.

"We should do everything we can to keep creating good middle-class jobs that help folks rebuild security for their families," Obama said Monday in a speech at the Daimler Detroit Diesel plant.

"And by the way, what we shouldn't do -- I've just got to say this -- what we shouldn't be doing is trying to take away your rights to bargain for better wages and working conditions," he added to loud applause from the audience. "We shouldn't be doing that. The so-called 'right-to-work' laws -- they don't have to do with economics, they have everything to do with politics. What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money."

Michigan is set to become the 24th right-to-work state, with Gov. Rick Snyder (R) poised to sign the controversial bill after it was fast-tracked by the GOP-controlled legislature. Thousands of union supporters protested at the state capitol in Lansing last week, and more protests are planned for Tuesday.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/obama-michigan-right-to-work_n_2272408.html

[Arkana]

1. That is brilliant.

A perfect line for describing how pernicious the so-called "Right-To-Work" bills are.

[James48]

2. Bring pots and pans

If you are coming to Lansing tomorrow, BRING POTS AND PANS to bang on with metal spoons.

Just like the Montreal "Casserole" protest- make LOTS of noise!

[TahitiNut]

13. Remember the Overpass!

[ReRe]

19. Dearest dtom67

Great picture. Was that in the Lansing newspaper today?
You probably should not go to this protest tomorrow if you're "scared shitless" of being in a crowd of people with pots and pans. There will no doubt be thousands of protesters there with many implements of noise. If you insist on participating, you might want to pick up a pair of ear plugs at your local drug store on the way.

Nahhhhhhh.... you really shouldn't go, if you're scared shitless. If you are in Lansing, you know it will be all over your local news. Heck, Fox News will probably be there too! Then you can just go out on your front porch or balcony with a megaphone and yell "We're Mad As Hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!"


Seriously, you need to buck up and be brave! Make a poster. If you can't make a poster, take an American flag. Get down there with as many friends as you can bring, and all of you stick together in the crowd. Dress in many layers of clothing as it will be cold if you can't get into the State House rotunda. Take a backpack with bottled water for yourself and some to share, and a sandwich for yourself. Charge up your cell phone and stick it in a pocket close to your body to keep it warm and operable. And get all this together tonight before you go to bed. Be ready! Be proud that you are going to take a stand on this "Right- to-work-for-peanuts" law. OK?

[sheshe2]

30. Feisty ReRe! .I like that in a Person!

You go Girl!

[James48]

29. Stand up

and quit being scared.

When you have "RIGHT" on your side, you can make all the noise you want.

Keep your pan small and bang it with a spoon, and you'll be fine.

Follow me.

I'll lead.


Look for the guy with the pan banging LOUDLY in the ear of the "Americans for Prosperity" people.

[ReRe]

32. There you go, James 48!

I hope you can get some pics and post them later today (reminder, I'm posting this veeeeeeeery early on Tues am) or tomorrow (Wed). Great picture!!!!! A demonstration of a demonstration!

You would know it: DU------>Protest Central!

Have a great time, stay warm, stay safe and BE LOUD!

[kelly1mm]

3. So when is the President going to push for ending 'right to work' rules for the federal workforce?

You all do know that the federal government allows employees covered by collective bargaining to not pay union dues/not belong to the union as well, right?

Good move by the President in theory, but it is a MI state issue and if he wanted to, he could try to do something about what he does have some control over first.

[James48]

5. Good point

After reviewing 5 CFR Chapter 71, I think that he can do it by simply issuing an executive order and directing OPM to make a change to 5 CFR chapter 71.

Is that correct? All it takes to end "right-to-work" for federal employee Unions would be for the President to say so?


Hey Barack! LOOK OVER HERE!

[democrattotheend]

25. Pretty sure that's mandated by Taft-Hartley, and possibly the 1st amendment

Everyone has the right to belong to a union (in theory) and the right not to belong.

In the federal government, do those who opt out have to pay the portion that covers representation, or no?

[kelly1mm]

26. No, no payment for representation at all - total free ride. nt

[backtoblue]

4. knr

[Purveyor]

6. School Districts Closed As Teachers Skip Work To Attend 'Right to Work' Protests

TAYLOR (WWJ) - School has been canceled in two Michigan school districts as dozens, perhaps hundreds, of teachers are expected to call in sick Tuesday to join right-to-work protests in Lansing.

Taylor Public Schools will be closed down because of the high number of staff that have already called in, apparently to attend the demonstrations. Superintendent Diane Allen told WDIV-TV there won’t be enough teachers to cover classrooms. She said she had heard from a principal about where the teachers were going.

Warren Consolidated Schools will also be closed Tuesday, due to number of teacher absences for the same reason.

“The entire district will be closed just like when we have a snow day,” said Warren Consolidated Superintendent Robert Livernois, in a statement. “Will I understand this is somewhat unusual, my number one priority is student safety and without and adequate number of staff members, we cannot hold school.”

MORE...

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/12/10/michigan-schools-closed-due-to-mass-teacher-sick-out/

[Cha]

9. This is Awesome News.. thanks Purveyor!

[freshwest]

15. Let's see if the people of Michigan will follow through -- looks like they will.

[Cha]

7. Obama: Right-To-Work Laws Mean ‘Right To Work For Less Money’..

Thanks Purveyor

Snyder betrayed his state.

[Ash_F]

8. Right on. /nt

[tblue]

10. Oh man! Was this in response to a question or part of a statement?

I hope it was the latter.

[freshwest]

14. He's been saying it for a long time, but this is the first time it might have a media effect.

[Canuckistanian]

12. He actually said it!

Wow, it's one of Thom Hartmann's favorite expressions.

Not to mention an accurate description of what it does, too

[Cha]

16. Vid of PBO in Michigan Today.. 'The Right To Work For Less Money'

h/t http://theobamadiary.com/

[musiclawyer]

17. Ok why now? Why not Wisconsin ?

Had POTUS made even one appearance to show solidarity even if he did not even mention the recall, Walker night have been out. .....

POTUS infuriated me with his timidity and coolness during the first term.


I hope he has learned that you don't negotiate with treasonous bastards and you don't play it completely cool when things are hot. Respect your base and '14 will see the House flip

[Cha]

18. Pres Obama: “We don’t want a race to the bottom. We want a race to the top."

After praising the 115 new union jobs being created for the factory, the president discussed the success of the auto bailout. He said that the auto industry has added over a quarter of a million new jobs. Obama said that if companies want to build the best, they need to invest in the United States of America. The President said, “It makes sense to invest here in America.” The president said the country is making progress. Obama said, “What we shouldn’t be doing is taking away your right to bargain for better wages. These so called right to work laws have nothing to do with economics. They have everything to do with politics.” The president said right to work laws give workers the right to work for less money.

Obama said, “We don’t want a race to the bottom. We want a race to the top. America is not going to compete based on no skilled, low pay, no workers’ rights.”

http://www.politicususa.com/obama-stands-support-michigan-workers-work-fight.html

[sheshe2]

31. K&R Cha!

[ReRe]

20. Go Michigan!!!!

This is a new PO. The election is over and the PEOPLE won. Everything is different now as per all things domestic. I so wish that I was near there, because I and my family would be out there protesting with everyone else. The world will be watching Lansing, Michigan tomorrow.

[okaawhatever]

21. Why does the GOP oppose collective barganing and use it at the same time?

Any one paying attention to Congress lately (signing pledges and such) would have to notice that the Republican legislators have banded together for COLLECTIVE BARGANING!! Next, the rwnjobs are going to remove Labor Day from national holidays.

[Kingofalldems]

22. Police exempted so they will feel OK

tasing protestors. Repub tactic, divide and conquer.

[Purveyor]

23. And charging them with 'felony crimes'! Related article posted in LBN. eom

[Kingofalldems]

24. I saw that.

Filthy bastards.

[putitinD]

27. I'll be there

[Purveyor]

28. I'm not that far south of Lansing but it is my mom's 85th birthday so I'll have to save my fight

for a different day.

If I asked her, she would say 'hell yes go', but she always let me do anything I wanted.

Nope, it is her day tomorrow!

[ReRe]

33. Don't forget us who are too far away and can't travel...

...take some pictures and upload them for DU to see! Are you taking a metal pan and spoon to make noise with? You have to yell and make noise for all of us who can't be there.

Oh yeah, pin a big note on front and back of your shirt or hat with big Giant letters: DU

Dress warm, stay safe, and make allot of NOISE!

[Cha]

34. We'll be there in

Spirit!

Thank you, putitinD

[underoath]

35. does anyone know where I can find a good chart showing how right to work hurts states?

Thanks in advance!!