At Obama fundraiser, union millworkers protest trade policy

[Teamster Jeff]

PORTLAND — Members of a beleaguered industrial union held protest signs July 24 outside a $500-a-plate campaign fundraiser for President Barack Obama.
Bruce Dennis, retired former president of the local Carpenters union.

“Trade agreements have continued to destroy working class jobs, especially on the manufacturing side,” explained Greg Pallesen, vice president of the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW). “After every trade agreement, we see the repercussions as plants close here, many times profitable plants.”

“We’re very concerned that if Romney gets elected, it would be 10 times worse,” Pallesen said. “But I don’t believe we should cut Obama any slack. When he campaigned the first time, he said NAFTA-style agreements needed to be changed and that they were destroying the economy and middle class.”

But in office, Obama reversed that stance and pushed Congress to pass NAFTA-style treaties with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia — deals which were negotiated during the George W. Bush administration. Now the administration is negotiating, in secret, a NAFTA-style treaty known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would cover the entire Pacific Rim.

Trade-related layoffs and closures have cost the jobs of thousands of Northwest paper mill workers in recent years.

http://nwlaborpress.org/2012/07/awppw-2/

[pipoman]

1. Good on'em

wake his ass up to the fact that there is an eruption coming of monumental proportion if he fails us on jobs by non calling these trade agreements what they are..and changing his position of TPP. Trade agreements are fine. Failure to require member nations enact immediate workers rights and wage standards is designed to bring US workers to the standard of living found in the 3rd world nations.

The Labor Party is Dead. It must be revived before things will get better. How are Democrats different than Rethugs on this? They aren't and the thugs didn't come over to our side, Democrats sold out to the side of the thugs..close to unforgivable. I believe if Ross Perot were running in this election cycle (at the age he was when he did run), he would win.

[hay rick]

5. He's taking the labor vote for granted.

He shouldn't. Embarrassing him at fundraisers is an excellent and very appropriate tactic.

[Teamster Jeff]

6. If Obama truly understood

how pissed off working people are he would be very worried right now. In my opinion Unions should protest at the Democratic convention in NC.

[hay rick]

7. I don't think he understands it in his gut.

He lives inside the Presidential bubble. He has little direct contact with ordinary working people. He is surrounded by sycophants, neoliberals, and corporate weasels. Working class interests are not on his radar screen or his to do list.

I agree that it would be very constructive for labor to embarrass the Democratic Party during the convention.

[Skittles]

2. it's an election year; he might listen

and maybe even give a purty speech

[pipoman]

3. Problem is, I'd bet the speech would include

the idiotic, insulting phrase, "I believe US workers can compete against any workers in the world". I swear if they don't quit saying that stupid shit I will scream.

[Skittles]

4. his entire offshoring stance is sickening

he barks about it, then pimps for it behind the scenes

[bvar22]

8. What has the Democratic Party done for UNIONS lately?

*More UNION Busting "Free Trade"?

*Arne Duncan's campaign to Privatize the Public School System (Charter Schools) and bust the teacher's Union?

*The US Auto Makers were "saved"....on the backs of busting the Auto Workers Unions.
The Democratic Party leadership demanded steep contract concessions from the Auto Unions
before their "bailout".
This was especially insulting so soon after after the
"Contracts, Bonuses, and Benefits were SACRED for Wall Street Executives" in the No Strings Attached Wall Street Bailout.

*Arkansas Democratic Primary, 2010...
The Democratic Party Leadership rescued virulently Anti-UNION Blue Dog Blanche Lincoln who was being challenged by a popular Pro-LABOR Democrat (Lt Governor Bill Halter) who had support from Organized LABOR in the Arkansas Democratic Primary in 2010.
The woman who crowed about "derailing ObamaCare" received an Oval Office Endorsement and national Party funds to revive her failing campaign.
The White House even sent the Old Dog back down to Arkansas to help out with Blanche's struggling campaign.

Adding insult to injury, an "anonymous White House Spokesman" ridiculed Organized LABOR for "wasting $10 Million Dollars" by supporting a Pro-LABOR candidate in a Democratic Primary election.
Believe me when I tell you the Organized LABOR has NOT forgotten the kick-in-face delivered by the Democratic Party leadership in Arkansas, 2010.

Anti-LABOR "Democrat" Blanche Lincoln lost by the predicted wide margin to the Republican in the General Election.



*And what about the campaign promises to
"Make EFCA the Law of the Land"
and to
"Renegotiate NAFTA"
LABOR has NOT forgotten how quickly those hit the trashcan after election 2008.

So remind me,
WHAT has the Democratic Party done for Organized LABOR lately?

It REALLY sucks to be in THIS situation:
[font size=4]"We’re very concerned that if Romney gets elected, it would be 10 times worse,” [/font]

This is a NIGHTMARE for the American Working Class.
WHO speaks for US?




You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their rhetoric, promises, or excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]