WI Unions sending letters to businesses: Put a Union Support sign in the window or be boycotted.

[Snoutport]

OOOOOOoooooh... finally some hard ball from the Unions. I love it!!!

Here is a bit of the article:

"Members of Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, have begun circulating letters to businesses in southeast Wisconsin, asking them to support workers’ rights by putting up a sign in their windows.

If businesses fail to comply, the letter says, “Failure to do so will leave us no choice but (to) do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means 'no' to those who work for the largest employer in the area and are union members."


http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/118910229.html

[Luminous Animal]

1. Excellent.

[Cid_B]

110. Oh look.. Police and Fire are signees on there as well..

Certainly no implied threat there...

It'd be a shame if our response times were delayed to your non union supporting business... A real shame...

[Snoutport]

120. i disagree with you--spending their hard earned money is one thing, to imply

they wouldn't do their job is another.

I suppose you think teachers don't teach the children of republicans to the same standard?

[Cid_B]

130. I didn't say it was overt...

I said it was implied...

Mostly just adds to my point that this is an idiotic feel good tactic that will only create enemies and gain nothing...

[Snoutport]

133. I'm shocked by it myself and don't like that I like it...but I do.

Since this wave of anti-union stuff is sweeping across the country (and my district is faced with a 25% cut next year....25%!!! and I'm one of the lower guys on the totem pole so there is a really good chance i'm cut) so, i'm taking all of this very seriously and one thing that I have felt very betrayed by was all of these companies that I have given my money have been using it to stab me in the back! AT&T giving all that money to the tea party. Johnsonville sausages which we eat several times a month, have been supporting Scott Walker. And, damnit, even the Northern Quilted we usually buy has padded the Koch brother's pockets.

I'm ready to ONLY spend my money in a union supportive store. and no sign, fairly warned, will have to be taken as a "not a friend". It is not unfair to say that. It is harsh, and could cause backlash and it wouldn't be a choice I'd make. But I didn't make it. But I want to support my friends and I am SICK of being tricked by my enemy. (another year on our at&t contract while they hand that off to the tea party....it is enough to turn my stomach!)

[lpbk2713]

2. Before anyone says "bullying" ...

It seems to me they only want to know who their friends are and who is deserving of their money.

[Snoutport]

4. It is OK to ask who your friend is and to give them the benefit of your business.

That's just good old fashioned business sense. If you don't support the Union, really you shouldn't want to take that dirty Union money. (sarcasm)

[glinda]

7. You know who will call it that though. But I so totally agree!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

26. Tough measures for tough times

Audacious and radical of them. But I like it!

[The Philosopher]

39. HA, I was about to post about that

being an anti-union tactic, to call it bullying.

Nice sticker, btw. I grew up with those plastered around my room (my dad was a member).

[AllyCat]

105. yeah, small indie cheese shop in my town is now on my boycott list

They sent a friend out in tears after she asked them to support union workers. "Obama this...Obama that...wah wah wah". I've heard from others they have been having a hard time paying their employees due to the economic downturn. I feel badly that these people aren't getting paid, but maybe their bosses should examine the reasons why they can't pay their bills...

Anyway, we are done shopping there.

[Snoutport]

121. It is fair though. Why support them with the money they don't think you deserve?!

There is some very tasty democratic cheese to be had somewhere in town!

[AllyCat]

132. At our little co-operative grocery. We just need to buy some bulk stuff to have

what we used to get at the other place down the street. It will be fine, but we need to plan better if we have a "cheese emergency" as the indie shop calls it.

[Luminous Animal]

3. I've never once, in my 52 years crossed a picket or boycott line. The more we publicly organize this

the more we can support those who can't afford it.

[Snoutport]

5. I never have either. :0) nt

[malaise]

115. Same here

Solidarity Forever

[BillyJack]

6. Oh, I like it! K & R

It shouldn't just be southeast wisconsin though....it should be throughout ALL of Wisconsin.

[Snoutport]

9. michigan. ohio. florida. ALL the states with anti union laws going up...if not all of us!

[BillyJack]

13. Yes! Absolutely! But the momentum and motivation in Wisconsin

is INSPIRING!

GO WISCONSIN!!!!!! You ROCK!

[Snoutport]

29. and now the law has been blocked by the court!

[freshwest]

8. Freepers will call it blackmail!

:nopity:

[Armstead]

10. I like the first part....Not so sure about the second part though

It's great for the union to encourage businesses to show support -- and it's good for the business too, if they get more customers out of it.

But I'm not sure about the threat of boycott part though. It's really important for the labor movement to be building positive support...Threatening a boycott for not putting up the sign seems heavy handed, and may lose support instead of gaining it.

[Snoutport]

12. if you don't support us, we don't support you. If you do, we do.

The Religious Right is boycotting all the time. They don't worry about hurting anybody when they do it. I am starting to think we need to be tougher. Not mean, not bullying, but tougher.

Maybe the general society does need to come out on a side. silence is maybe the worst thing?

It is a tough call Armstead... we're damned if we don't pretty much. But will we be damned if we do?

[Generic Other]

15. Support Us Because We Support You!

Sounds like a good slogan.

[Snoutport]

18. i like that too! nt

[eowyn_of_rohan]

27. Better idea.

Wish they would have thought of it! I hope this doesn't backfire on them.

[Snoutport]

31. if it goes national they will see the power of the people and think twice before

supporting right wing whack jobs!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

33. RW'ers are out in force - look at the Milwaukee Urinal comments

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118963234.html?sort=last+to+first

:(

[Snoutport]

79. wow....there are some crazy people out there.... nt

[Armstead]

43. Honey or Vinegar? Which catches more bees?

Rather than "damned if you do, damned if you don't" I think this is one of those rare situations where a clear-cut win -- in terms of swaying the public -- is possible.

Scotty Walker and the GOP created the Perfect Storm to show America why labor movements and workers rights are important. They have -- at every turn --arrogantly rubbed the public's nose in an exercise in raw (and unlawful) power, and waked up average people about what really is at stake. Simply put, they made themselves and their philosophy and backers look bad.

That is an opportunity to rebuild popular support for labor, unions, liberal politics, etc.

But if, in the process, the labor movement does heavy-handed things that also alienate (or even just make wary) the public ("put up this sign or we'll boycott you") then it will blow a golden opportunity.

In other words, Walker has already inadvertently made the sales pitch for the labor movement by his actions. Our side has to close the sale -- and threats are not the way to achieve that (in my opinion, of course).

[Snoutport]

85. VERY good points

but any action by a union or group of people always can incur those same costs. But if walker businesses have a lean year between now and the recall they will be less inclined to support him or to be able to afford to support him.

And the flip side is...what if suddenly 3/4 of the businesses show support of the worker and the wave goes the other way. It could be very very moving to walk down a mainstreet with union window after union window.

I would probably not have made the choice they made in Wisconsin, but I intend to really watch and learn from what happens there. If it goes our way I will enjoy it very much. If it goes the other way, then we will watch and learn there as well. But either way...we will know who our friends are.

[socialist_n_TN]

81. If by tougher, you mean less polite, then I agree.........

This tactic just seems to be a "who's side are you on?" demand. It IS time to choose.

[Arkana]

117. This is more or less my position.

I have no problem with a "Hey, put up a support sign for WI Unions, and your business will go through the roof!" Don't threaten the businesses that don't--just don't frequent them.

[Matariki]

11. I don't think that "or be boycotted" is good politics

and it gives the opposition WAY too much ammo.

[Snoutport]

14. I was shopping today, picked up johnsonville breakfast sausages then realized they supported walker

and I put them back (sadly...the maple ones are our favorite!). It isn't wrong to boycott. It is the only power some of us have...where we spend our money, what we put in our bodies.

[BillyJack]

17. Every little bit helps....AND it sends the message that "we, the people

are becoming AWARE" and that we won't stay silent, stupid anymore.

Yeah for us 'regular' people!!!!!

:applause: :bounce: :applause: :bounce: :applause: :bounce: :applause:

[Scuba]

22. Recommend you go with "People" in lieu of "people". n/t

[Matariki]

87. I agree. I certainly wasn't arguing against boycotting.

[SlimJimmy]

93. That's fine, but what about a business that says you know what?

I don't want to get in the middle of this because I have customers on both sides. Does the union say "fuck you" then, you just got boycotted. Seems extremely heavy handed to me. I don't think it's good politics at all.

[bluestate10]

83. Neither do I. Too blunt. Get votes needed to recall republicans and

win that way.

[midnight]

16. K&R

[iemitsu]

19. cool,

its like lamb's blood.

[Hannah Bell]

20. kr

[Raine]

21. I LOVE this!!! nt

:applause: :thumbsup:

[Cid_B]

23. Nothing to get the folks on your side...

... like threatening every business in your area.

Seems like a poor choice in tactics. Makes them feel good about themselves but will not bring anyone over to their side and will likely alienate others.

Dumb...

[SDuderstadt]

34. I am...

very pro-union, but I agree.

This is a poorly thought out tactic. I hope it does not backfire.

[Travelman]

45. Yep.

They would have been much wiser to approach from the opposite angle and just ask businesses to show their union support, and that in return, the union would help drive people to union-supporting businesses. A relatively inexpensive ad campaign creating some visibility for these businesses who support the union would have businesses flocking to them for the support. Someone (Teamsters, maybe?) ran a big ad campaign back in the '80s that was simple and clear: Union YES! Simple and easy for people to remember: look for the union-made label, and buy those products. It doesn't take some sort of marketing genius to come up with something like that.

Putting in the boycott threat, particularly in the rather juvenile way that they did, certainly doesn't attract anyone to your cause, and worse yet, it reinforces the "union thug" stereotype. It changes that ad campaign from the '80s from "Union YES!" to "Union OR ELSE!" Who the hell wants to support that?

[Cid_B]

46. I know I'm certainly stubborn enough...

that I'll take the chance of a "boycott" just to spit in the eye of a random organization that thinks they can tell me what to do "or else"

I'll bet others are as well...

[magdalena]

82. Exactly my feelings on the issue!

Not a wise tactic at all.

[Scuba]

91. Many businesses in Madison that support Unions already have their...

...own signs saying so. Just one more reason to love Madison.

[Snoutport]

123. This post has made for some good debate.

Did you see the post about the cheese shop up above?

[Vinnie From Indy]

62. Your rejection of the idea only validates my support!

This is EXACTLY the way to fight this battle. In fact, this should be the model for getting reigning in Rush Limbaugh. LOCAL boycotts of businesses that advertise on the fat, drug addict's program by all Progressives and Democrats.

Cheers!

[Cid_B]

72. Follow the train of thought...

Do you feel that a letter with a threat in it sent out to local businesses will endear them to the union cause?

Have a bit of empathy and put yourself in someone else's shoes and imagine another issue that you are not so emotionally invested in.

How is this anything other than preaching to the choir? Great. You made your own group feel good. They were already on your side. I thought the purpose here was to gain support.

What you managed to do was create enmity in those who may have previously been neutral and gained nothing but bad press, more enemies and a warm fuzzy feeling. Congratulations....

[Snoutport]

80. cheers-

I don't like all aspects of it, and it could backfire but the fact is the right is playing hardball. The Dems keep trying to play softball and we keep getting trounced. I'm tired of passively sitting here taking it so I'm up for a round of hardball too!

[eowyn_of_rohan]

24. "Which Side Are You On?"

I do think they have opened themselves up to criticism for threatening businesses, and will be called thugs et al., but since the REAL Thugs want to play hardball, we can play too.

[Armstead]

36. Not when it means dropping the hardball on your own toes

The whole success of what happened in Wisconsin is that it woke people and began to rebuild support for organized labor and the larger goals of workers rights.

Seems like engaging in the kind of threats that fill the stereotype spread by the anti-union forces can be counterproductive.

I do think giving businesses a sign and encouraging them to put it up is good. But not the part where "and if you don't put it up....bad things will happen to your business.'

[eowyn_of_rohan]

41. Yes, I'm dismayed that they took that angle

As you said, they are feeding into the negative stereotypes about unions... they are also lowering themselves to the level of the GOP thugs. I wish they had taken a higher road - leaving out the threat. But I still stand behind them, and will defend their decision in these times of desperation, if or when I have an opportunity.

[SDuderstadt]

42. In the work I do...

we call that "tactics defeating strategy".

Very short-term thinking.

[SlimJimmy]

94. *Very* short-term thinking. This is not good politics at all. (nt)

[Snoutport]

124. "we won't shop there" is bad?

I 100% see your side of things, and honestly, I wouldn't have put that in the letter. The threat would have been implied without it anyway, but now that it has happened--i am curious to see if it does make a difference.

[Snoutport]

60. It does force people to take sides...but then we know our friends AND our enemies.

[deacon]

25. Gotta do it. n/t

[Shagbark Hickory]

28. Now *that* is thuggish. Where'd they get this idea from? The Mafia?

This is not going to be effective either.
The union leadership is extremely disappointing to me.

[Snoutport]

32. Maybe from all the businesses with Christian Fish on them...so the other side can rally around

businesses that support the right?

[Shagbark Hickory]

47. I'm not sure I follow you. Did someone threaten to boybott a business that didn't show a jesus fish?

[Snoutport]

54. They advocate using businesses that post the Jesus Fish

but no, I've not heard of calls for boycotts without them. I probably could have been clearer in what I said.

But the right has been using boycotts forever.

I do think the threats to boycott is drastic. Scary, in fact... but we are playing softball while the right is playing hardball and we are getting trounced!

[Shagbark Hickory]

64. How does penalizing some business who won't hang a sign in their window reasonable?

And more importantly, how will it help the unions and workers to achieve their goals?

Forcing someone to support your cause in this fashion reminds me of how Saddam Hussein would get people to vote for him.

[Shagbark Hickory]

122. I advocate eating at restaurants with good food.

[LanternWaste]

65. Boycotts are "thuggish"?

Boycotts are "thuggish"? When did that bit of freedom of choice become non-PC?

[Shagbark Hickory]

66. "Put a Union Support sign in the window or be boycotted."

You didn't even have to read the post. The title says it all.

[Snoutport]

125. BUT...the union people tried to negotiate in WI and that didn't go so well...

maybe they are tired of negotiating?

[ellie]

30. Beautiful!

[Gold Metal Flake]

35. Get the fainting couch ready.

I see some delicate DUers are starting to sway, LOL.

[Armstead]

37. That's silly. There's a diference between delicate and...

...not being self-defeating.

Giving out pro-labor signs in businesses and encouraging them to support it? Great idea.

Threatening business to put them up? Stupid.

[Gold Metal Flake]

50. Here, dear...

[Armstead]

52. I actuaklly had one of those...Or my housemate did. They're comfortable.

Good place to sit and think about nitwits who go out of their way to alienate people who agree with them.

[Gold Metal Flake]

63. Union members are nitwits. Got it.

I guess your avatar picture is meant ironically.

[Armstead]

73. They're not who I was referring to

I'm referring to people who insult those as effeminate who agree with the goal, but don't agree with one aspect of the tactic.

If some of those nitwits also happen to also be union members, then those particular members are nitwits.

[Snoutport]

137. "we are only shopping at stores that support us" would have been a better way to put the message

but the main message is, "are you our friend or not?"

bad delivery, necessary information. in 2012, when republicans are trying to scratch up campaign money, those anti-union businesses may not be able to donate. it is a long-term strategy that, once the initial shock wears off, will pay off.

Remember the Union Label?

[Ikonoklast]

119. Bet they never walked a picket line.

Or have ever been or are now union members.

There is a distinct anti-union, anti blue collar contingent here on DU...the same ones that are on the right of every other issue.

It's very telling.

[Abq_Sarah]

135. I'm a business owner

My business is apolitical.

I'll be damned if someone is going to tell me my organization MUST take a side.

[WinkyDink]

38. In America, citizens are free to shop---or NOT TO SHOP---wherever they please. GO, UNIONS!

Am I "boycotting" Macy's by shopping in Bergdorf's?

[Zax2me]

40. 'Union thugs' make threats. FINALLY! Go UNIONS!

After weeks and weeks of being accused of blackmail tactics, and being called thugs - hell - give them what they are begging for I say.
Just glad to see some fight and spark from our side.
GO UNION

[Armstead]

74. How about threats to those who actually deserve the threats?

Actions like lawsuits, recalls, demonstrations targeted avaunt the GOP dictators make sense.

But threats against shopkeepers who are not part of that? Naw.....Also counterproductive in terms of harness g public support.

[Armstead]

75. How about threats to those who actually deserve the threats?

Actions like lawsuits, recalls, demonstrations targeted avaunt the GOP dictators make sense.

But threats against shopkeepers who are not part of that? Naw.....Also counterproductive in terms of harness g public support.

[Armstead]

76. How about threats to those who actually deserve the threats?

Actions like lawsuits, recalls, demonstrations targeted avaunt the GOP dictators make sense.

But threats against shopkeepers who are not part of that? Naw.....Also counterproductive in terms of harness g public support.

[Armstead]

77. I didn't mean to post this three times

Computer burped.

[Armstead]

78. I didn't mean to post this three times

Computer burped.

[Snoutport]

126. Your posts are often worth reading more than once....

so all is ok. :0)

[LoZoccolo]

44. This is a stupid strategy.

Before anyone tells me that the businesses deserve it, that no one can remain neutral, etcetera, let me just say that I am not engaging in that argument. Taking an action that you feel is "justified" will not much matter to the workers if it does not gain them what they want. My argument is a purely strategic one, and my criticism is based on whether or not I feel this will make it more likely that the union will get its collective bargaining rights back. I think it won't.

I also won't be engaging in an argument about whether or not I support the union's goals; I don't feel I need to do so. I present an alternate strategy for meeting the same goal which I feel would have been more effective, and even suggest a case where the strategy they have currently chosen might be effective.

It should be obvious that people can put the sign in their window publicly, and privately support anything they want despite it. If the businesses see the sign as a formality of doing business, and enough people do it, it will become only a token gesture, everyone will know it to be such, and it will do little to gain consensus. It will, however, be more likely to give the union a reputation for extorting token gestures. Who are the people out there who will be more likely to support the union for that?

The unions are experiencing a flood of support right now that could have been harnessed via boycotts targeted at those whose actual actions are supporting the politicians who are working against them with a modicum of effort that they didn't seem to want to engage in.

This is the kind of strategy that would only be effective if they had nothing left to lose, if the union's reputation was so low that it wouldn't hurt them to do this; their reputation had actually risen in the last month to two months and now they are risking scaling that back.

[rbixby]

48. Our local CBS affiliate has an article with some interesting discussion on it

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/03/31/union-warns-of-boycotts-for-lack-of-support/

I've definitely been heating up the discussion a bit

[Sabriel]

49. Business owners also need to be proactive, like this woman:

From Publishers Weekly:

<<snip>>

One regional author whose sales may be negatively impacted by the current political maelstrom in Wisconsin is Kim Simac, whose books are published by the Great Northern Adventure Co. in Eagle River, Wis. Simac has written three picture books and two books for children about hockey. When Joan Belongia, the owner of Brown Street Books in Rhinelander, Wis., discovered that Simac was leading a recall campaign against Democratic State Senator Jim Holprin, one of the “Wisconsin 14,” she packed up a box of all of Simac’s books in the store and sent them back to her.
“I’m a retired teacher,” Belongia explained about her refusal to carry Simac’s books anymore, “I don’t know where we’d be without unions.”

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/46602-politics-reaches-into-wisconsin-s-book-world.html

[Snoutport]

88. and i totally support her doing that.

and now all the union people know how this lady feels and will no longer shop in her store.

it is all out in the open. I'm not sure that is bad.

[Sabriel]

116. I think you misread the article

The store owner removed books by someone who's trying to recall one of the WI 14.

But you're right about it being in the open now: the pro-Walker people will know she's a union supporter.

[BlueCollar]

51. It works for me...

Proud 25 year member here...

[moondust]

53. Mixed.

Theoretically business should be about business and not about politics but tell that to the Kochroaches and the U.S. Chamber of Republican Commerce.

[Throd]

55. I would be very pissed at ANY group that pressures me to put something in my window.

Fuck that.

[lunatica]

67. Do you have a business?

[lunatica]

68. This is the way to fight back

Let them know union members will not be frequenting their businesses and they'll find out how much they need them after all.

[Throd]

71. Yes I do. Do you?

[HEyHEY]

98. I grew up in a small business family

And this would have hurt us in our area. Small business can have such a shoe string income that choosing political sides openly could see enough clients gone to shut their doors.

[PA Democrat]

104. Same here. We live in a VERY red area.

My husband and I are both lifelong Democrats who support unions (FIL was a shop steward) and have supported Democratic candidates with both our time and money.

People around here are so brainwashed by FOX and the local papers- all owned by Richard Mellon Scaife- that they would boycott our business if there were political signs supporting Democrats on our business property. We regularly put up signs at our home (which are repeatedly stolen and vandalized) but we have to keep politics out of our business.

[Greybnk48]

56. Only my "friends" get my cash as much as I can

help it. This carries over to the supermarket as well. I try to buy local if possible and from non-assholes like Neuman's own products.

[WatsonT]

57. Hahaha, so they put up a sign, made in China

to say that they support the unions by selling products made in China/Bangladesh/Pakistan/Thailand/etc and backing those items up with guarantees of tech-support to India.

[Taverner]

58. Good

[hugo_from_TN]

59. Are they going after kneecaps next?

[joeunderdog]

61. Sounds that way.

As a Union Steward, I don't think this is the right message. If a business openly (or covertly) supports Walker or his agents, yeah, boycott away. But for not putting up a Union sign...? Punishing harmless business owners who aren't doing anything wrong (simply by not putting up a sign) is no way to go about this. Union supporters run businesses that don't post signs and it doesn't make them anti-union. That's not going to play well in the tide of good will that they/we are riding right now.

Way to piss people off.

[socialist_n_TN]

84. I hope so. We've been WAY too fucking polite........

Well, not advocating violence (any more than armed teabaggers were advocating violence), but we have been way too polite.

It's a "Who's side are you on?" tactic. I'm OK with it and if I had a choice between shopping at a place that had a "union supporter" sign and one that didn't, I'd shop at the supporter, EVEN IF IT WERE MORE INCONVENIENT. Because I KNOW whose side I'm on and I don't mind making that choice.

[HEyHEY]

99. Yes, way too polite to those in charge... so why go after small business?

[socialist_n_TN]

101. Small businesses have to choose also.........

It's a "whose side are you on moment".

[HEyHEY]

102. No, they don't have to choose, in fact if a Union guy came into my business and threatened me

I'd likely go the other way.

[socialist_n_TN]

112. Then you've chosen........

nm

[Abq_Sarah]

136. Chosen not to be bullied

Into using my business as a vehicle for their activism.

[socialist_n_TN]

141. Then you've chosen......

which side you're on. It's that simple. The capitalists are doing a damn good job of killing the working class and turning us back to a feudal society. You either resist this or you don't. You can't NOT choose. By trying NOT to choose, you choose them.

[Snoutport]

138. big business too

the only way to stop businesses giving money you give them to the right is to make sure you don't give them your money to start with.

[Snoutport]

89. nobody brought up physical threats but you nt

[NoGOPZone]

90. Which side are you talking about?

Sometimes it isn't obvious ;-)

[cherokeeprogressive]

69. A sign? One like the yellow magnetic ribbons that DU'ers like to denigrate so much?

The ones that say "I support the troops"? Yeah, a sign means a lot. Convinces ME for sure...

[F Bastiat]

70. Whoa...signs in the windows, or broken windows...?

[Le Taz Hot]

108. Could you please point me to the part

in the OP where someone is advocating violence, i.e., "breaking windows?"

Thanks so much.

LTH

[malaise]

86. Love it

Solidarity Forever :applause:

[donheld]

92. Is anybody trying to find the Non-Union Companies and sign them up?

[Biker13]

95. I Can See The Back-Lash A Million Miles Away!

I STRONGLY support Unions! Without them, this country would be...well, Egypt. But this is the wrong track to take. A large percentage of people aren't in Unions, and this will give them something to rally against. See a pro-Union sign? Boycott. See a store without one? Give them your support.

Why not just ask them to post "We Proudly Support Our Unions" sign, and leave it at that? Let them know Union members will look for these signs!

We can't allow this to turn into a war among ourselves. We have to educate people as to all the good Unions have done, not strong arm them!

Biker's Old Lady

[white_wolf]

96. Hell yes!

This is a war. People need to pick sides.

[Cid_B]

103. I refer you to #72

Nothing more than a way to make more enemies and get a warm fuzzy feeling for yourself...

No response from that poster either and based on your history I don't expect much from you (but I can hope.)

[white_wolf]

106. The Right has used these tactics for years.

Its time we fought back.

[Cid_B]

109. Way to fulfill every expectation I had of you....

:eyes:

[HEyHEY]

97. I don't love it, I think it's dispicable.

Boycotting someone for NOT openly supporting you is bullshit. So now you're asking people that did nothing to you to polarize their clients? Either they lose Union supporters or lose anti-union people? Fuck that, they have to eat too.

[Omaha Steve]

100. There used to be NRA signs that meant that :-)

National Recovery Act signs in a window meant a lot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Recovery_Administration

The National Recovery Administration (NRA) was the primary New Deal agency established by U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The goal was to eliminate cut-throat competition by bringing industry, labor and government together to create codes of fair practices and set prices. The NRA was created by the National Industrial Recovery Act and allowed industries to get together and write "codes of fair competition." The codes were intended to reduce destructive competition and to help workers by setting minimum wages and maximum weekly hours, as well as minimum prices at which products could be sold.

In 1935, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously declared that the NRA was unconstitutional, ruling that it infringed the separation of powers under the United States Constitution. The NRA quickly stopped operations, but many of its labor provisions reappeared in the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act), passed later the same year.

The NRA, symbolized by the Blue Eagle (a blue-colored representation of the American thunderbird) was popular with workers. Businesses that supported the NRA put the symbol in their shop windows and on their packages. Though membership to the NRA was voluntary, businesses that did not display the eagle were very often boycotted, making it seem to many mandatory for survival.


NRA Blue Eagle poster. This would be displayed in store windows, on packages, and in ads.

[Le Taz Hot]

107. That is such a wonderful idea!

I just think it's so cool that the New American Revolution started in Wisconsin. It's just so heartland. Kudos, Wisconsin!

[ItNerd4life]

111. How to lose friends and alienate people...

This is how you do it.

[Doremus]

129. Or put another way: How to show you have integrity and intelligence.

Integrity, i.e. some things are more important than money, among them helping to defend your country against those who wish to harm it.

Intelligence, i.e. the wisdom to know the difference.

[backscatter712]

113. GOOD! It's long past time we practiced our own economic warfare.

Stand with us, or we'll fuck with your money.

Pay no attention to the DU pantywaist brigade who keeps thinking we have to be nice to the Republicans. That time is long past. We're at war, and we must act as though we are at war.

We must win by any means necessary.

[Armstead]

128. As a pantywaist I say you're off track

We don't have to be nice to the Republicans.

But it also is counterproductive to alienate the middle of the road people whose support is needed to turn the tide.

Like saying "Stand with us or we'll fuck with your money" sounds like a high school kids trying to sound like a mafioso.

[backscatter712]

114. Or to frame it another way, it's time to find out who our friends are and who the SCABS are! n/t

[Quantess]

118. No more shopping at Wal--Mart. Or Home Depot.

Ain't no way those places would EVER hang a pro-union sign!

[Doremus]

127. Cool! We had a visit at our shop after a local (OH) rally against SB5.

An AFL-CIO rep asked us to put a sign on the door that we support union workers.

It looks wonderful. :)

[Snoutport]

134. And I'd be happy to shop there!

:0) thank you for your sign!

[Unrepentant Fenian]

131. GOOD !!!

[cherokeeprogressive]

139. An idea that's about as meaningful as this one...

How would you feel if some Veteran said you needed to put this on your car to keep it from being keyed?

[Snoutport]

140. check out the newest info on this: unions have backed off

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_6bee6a90-5c99-11e0-a0d5-001cc4c03286.html