Union-Busting Lawyer to Host Biden's 1st Fundraiser Thursday

[progressoid]

PITTSBURGH, PA. – On Monday, Vice President Joe Biden intends to launch his presidential campaign at the Teamsters Local 249 in Pittsburgh with United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard appearing alongside him.

However, first, on Thursday, Biden is hosting a $2,800 dollar-a-plate fundraiser at the mansion of Comcast Executive President David Cohen in Philadelphia. Among the dozen select political power players on the host committee for Biden’s 1st fundraiser are Steven Cozen, founder and chairman of the union-busting law firm Cozen O’Connor.

According to Cozen O’Connor website, the firm specializes in union busting advertising that it helps employers to “avoid unionization through positive employee relations and regain nonunion status when employees indicate they no longer wish to be union-represented”.

The firm also boasts on its website that it helps employers to lock out their unionized workforce.

The inclusion of Cozen on Biden’s first fundraiser raises lingering questions about Biden’s continued commitment to organized labor and why so many labor leaders are eager to hop on board with Biden.

more...http://paydayreport.com/union-busting-lawyer-to-host-bidens-1st-fundraiser-thursday/

Link to tweet

[WeekiWater]

1. And then there is what is actually at the link.

Cozen O’Connor represents a broad spectrum of private and public sector employers in labor relations and disputes. For our unionized clients, we handle unfair labor practice proceedings and grievance arbitrations; negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements; prepare for and respond to picket lines, strikes, lockouts, and other economic campaigns; and work with employers during union election campaigns. We also help employers avoid unionization through positive employee relations and regain nonunion status when employees indicate they no longer wish to be union-represented. We are experienced labor litigators, appearing frequently before federal, state, and appellate courts; federal agencies and departments (such as the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, IRS, OSHA, and ICE); state agencies and departments; and arbitration panels.

For our unionized clients, our labor practice is committed to fostering constructive management-labor relations over the long term. Our focus is on protecting our clients’ interests, with a recognition that a working relationship with union counterparts is often a desired goal.

[LongtimeAZDem]

4. +1

[WhiskeyGrinder]

14. Read more closely. They're a management-side firm and do not work for unions or their members.

[LongtimeAZDem]

17. They're lawyers. They work for clients.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

18. They accept and specialize their work for certain clients and not others.

[LanternWaste]

29. Like almost all lawyers...

[WhiskeyGrinder]

31. Indeed.

[progressoid]

38. Right. And their clients happen to be those at the top and not the workers.

[Fiendish Thingy]

65. "Unionized clients" mean management, not unions nt

[Demsrule86]

32. So what...they are one of 12...you need money. They are corporate lawyers...

This won't help your candidate.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

34. If I had decided on a candidate, maybe your comment would hit home.

"So what" is that I have a problem with Democratic politicians getting money from union-busters.

[gateley]

51. Just because Joe gets money from "union busters" doesn't mean they'll buy him off --

he doesn't do that.

ETA: I'm not crazy about it either, wish it could all be "pure" money but he's gotta do what he's gotta do. I trust him.

[MyNameGoesHere]

52. Wink wink

[WhiskeyGrinder]

53. People might not believe it, but I don't have a preference in the primary.

Last edited Thu Apr 25, 2019, 07:46 PM - Edit history (1)

They all annoy me in different ways.

ETA: To clarify, there are those who would definitely bug me MORE if they were the nominee.

[Demsrule86]

67. Oh please ...it is a Comcast fundraiser. And I dont give two fucks in the age of United

Where the money comes from...as long it is not illegal.

[progressoid]

5. Maybe I missing something. What part of that is a good thing?

[WeekiWater]

6. The fact that they represent unions. Not sure how you are missing it.

Many outfits with expertise in this area offer their services to a wide variety of people. I know that doesn't fit the narrative built in the topic line.

[brooklynite]

8. No they don't...

Read again; they represent "unionzed" employers.

[Demsrule86]

37. Here is the bottom line. The post is misleading it is sponsored by Comcast,

He is one of 12 on the board,. You need money. My daughter works in corporate accounting and is very liberal. Should she banned from Democratic politics?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

10. Read more closely. They're a management-side firm and do not work for unions or their members

at all.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

12. That entire paragraph deals with their work on behalf of management.

[progressoid]

13. "For our unionized clients"

They aren't representing the unions, but the companies that have to deal with the unions.

Our attorneys manage labor relations with a clear eye toward the bottom line.

They even brag about their victories:
https://www.cozen.com/practices/labor-employment/labor-relations-disputes

[Demsrule86]

15. NIce try for a smear ...undecided huh?

[progressoid]

25. Yep. Undecided.

But Warren, Buttigieg, Inslee & Sanders are inching up the ladder. Thanks for asking.

[tymorial]

27. You mean you actually read more than a headline?

How...... novel. I would have never thought to do this.... like so so so many others.

And just in case this wasn't obvious (honestly why don't people read)

[progressoid]

41. Yes, you DO have to read more than a headline.

They don't represent Union members.

Cozen O’Connor’s traditional labor attorneys demonstrate a real commitment to understanding and supporting their clients’ business goals. We think not only about the technical legal matters, but also about how labor issues connect in a practical sense to business operations and strategy. Our attorneys manage labor relations with a clear eye toward the bottom line.

SERVICE AREAS

- Defend clients in unfair labor practice proceedings and handle grievance arbitrations
- Negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements
- Prepare for and respond to picketing, strikes, lockouts and other economic tactics
- Work with employers to avoid unionization through positive employee relations or to regain nonunion status when employees no longer wish to be union-represented
- Advise clients on the labor relations consequences of business events, including mergers, spin-offs, acquisitions, and bankruptcies
- Represent employers in significant labor-related litigations, mediations, and arbitrations

[tymorial]

46. Cough

"For our unionized clients, we handle unfair labor practice proceedings and grievance arbitrations; negotiate individual and multi-employer collective bargaining agreements; prepare for and respond to picket lines, strikes, lockouts, and other economic campaigns; and work with employers during union election campaigns."


Rather than delete upon re- reading you may have a point that this does indicate he does not represent unions.

I do stand behind my comment about headline reaction because it is fairly common though my misinterpretation of the article here is obvious.

[guillaumeb]

54. So they will argue any position for money.

Understood.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

59. Only if that position supports the employer.

[George II]

2. And?

[progressoid]

3. Not exactly the best way to show you have the backs of the rust belt union members.

[Demsrule86]

16. Did you read it. They represent union as well.

Nice try....fail.

[progressoid]

19. "For our unionized clients"

They're talking about the employers, not the employees.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

21. Please highlight the part where they represent unions. I'm not seeing it.

[tymorial]

28. Too time consuming

Our Twitter culture has reduced information to short paragraphs. Context be damned.

[LanternWaste]

30. No worries... as each candidate is imperfect.

Except for the Sacred Cows, which Joe ain't one.

Nice try, but ineffective. Try again.

[Demsrule86]

60. Right all corporations are evil.,.this purity crap is why we lose.

Hubs is in management in manufacturing and has worked every election in the last 20 years. I suppose that means he is not pure enough. How about this ,..Joe needs money and I don't care.

[progressoid]

68. Who said all corporations are evil?

My spouse works for a large medical corporation and has also been active in Democratic politics for the last couple decades.

No one is saying that all corporations (or people who work for them) are evil. However, if my spouse or I was a lawyer working against the interests of labor, I guarantee the local people (most of whom are pro-union) who work on the ground would be correctly concerned that we were on their side.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

7. The Dem party supports unions.

Or did you not figure that part out yet?

[George II]

35. What's to figure out? Haven't you seen all the union endorsements that Biden already has?

Unfortunately people don't get into the guts of an article or past the headline. The premise of the OP's headline/article is false, if not blatantly offensive. As has already been posted here, Steven Cozen is NOT a "union buster", but I guess that doesn't fit the narrative.

Here's the FIRST sentence in the article in the OP:

PITTSBURGH, PA. – On Monday, Vice President Joe Biden intends to launch his presidential campaign at the Teamsters Local 249 in Pittsburgh with United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard appearing alongside him.

Why would the President of the Pittsburgh local of the United Steelworkers Union endorse Biden if he's a buddy of a "union buster".

Has anyone bothered to look into the background/history of the author of that hit piece, Mike Elk? For one thing, he was employed by the Obama/Biden campaign, perhaps he was dismissed or has an ax to grind for some reason? He was also named 2015 Man of the Year by The Washington Free Beacon!!

https://freebeacon.com/men-of-the-year/2015-man-of-the-year-mike-elk/

Seems mighty suspicious that someone who was the Free Beacon's Man of the Year is now falsely characterizing Steven Cozen and his association with Joe Biden.

Sorry, the credibility of the characterization of the people discussed in that article is, as it should be, suspect.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

36. Biden has not gotten any union endorsements.

He has gotten support from union leaders and some rank and file. There is a difference.

Why would the President of the Pittsburgh local of the United Steelworkers Union endorse Biden if he's a buddy of a "union buster".

That's the kind of question I'd like to see more people in labor asking -- especially because Gerard is the president of the international, not the local.

Anyway, I'm still not seeing any evidence that Cozen does other work than busting and suppressing unions and their members.

[George II]

39. See post #1, thank you.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

42. Am I through the looking glass? This is an anti-union law firm.

[George II]

43. No it isn't.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

47. Post no. 1 shows it is.

[progressoid]

50. Why would the President of the Pittsburgh local of the United Steelworkers Union endorse Biden?

From the linked article.

In recent years, the Steelworkers have garnered a reputation as being one of the more conservative unions in the labor movement...

many of the labor leaders of the more white-male lead construction and manufacturing unions like Gerard have decided to get behind Biden.

...

For many in the rank and file of the increasingly diverse labor movement, the decision of so many old white male labor leaders to hop on Biden, an inconsistent an ally of organized labor, is head-scratching.

“The people who run American labor are often stupid. This is obvious” wrote African American Pittsburgh-area union activist Phillip Shropshire on facebook.

Also, seems like the Free Beacon Man of the Year piece was sarcasm.

[lapucelle]

58. Mike Elk...

http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2015/08/mike-elk-on-trying-to-unionize-politico.html

[brooklynite]

9. Bashing! Hit Job! Assasination! Smear!

Just figured I'd get that out of the way so we can have an informed discussion...

[Demsrule86]

20. Funny but what you say is true,..all of those things.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

11. Glad to see this thread come back. Some people just don't like the truth.

[Demsrule86]

22. Yeah and some only tell part of the truth.

[Lordquinton]

23. You are so correct

[WhiskeyGrinder]

24. It's an anti-union law firm. That's it. Some people are okay with it, some aren't.

[dogman]

45. Cohen may not be a lobbyist, but he sure employs a lot of lobbyists.

Seems like having your cake and eating it too.

[George II]

40. And some don't mind bashing prominent and well respected members of the Democratic Party.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

44. The truth isn't bashing.

[beachbum bob]

26. all noise, to bolster the failing prospects of 20 announced candidates

be no shortage of this for next 18 months by GOP and the ones who should be on our side who are never happy unless they get their way, no matter how small a minority they are

[marylandblue]

49. Excuse me? "Bolster the failing prospects of 20 announced candidates?"

Have the primaries been cancelled?

[mobeau69]

33. This report is spot on. Some need to open their eyes and read. Hint: "This is an apple"

The Comcast part pisses me off even more.

https://readsludge.com/2019/04/23/net-neutrality-skeptic-joe-biden-is-attending-a-fundraiser-held-by-comcasts-top-lobbyist/

I will support whoever our nominee is but I think this election is a chance for real change. Not a time for compromising on actual progressive positions like net neutrality.

Fuck Comcast.

[Demsrule86]

61. Doesn't bother me at all..

[mobeau69]

70. But do you like it?

[Blue_true]

48. They are advisors, not Union busters.

The over the top headline is a bit much.

One of the reasons why Silicon Valley and the high tech world in general are not unionized to any significant extent is firms in that sector lead on pay and benefits at every level, as well as other things that are just catching on at more traditional companies, such as wellness programs and bonuses to all employees for good operating results.

The firm gives out that advice, based upon a read of their charter.

BTW, you ignored that they advise firms not to layoff jobs that they latter ignore laid off employees for when rehiring for those jobs. That bit of information doesn't fit the headline's narrative.

[guillaumeb]

55. It is pure semantics.

Advisors sounds much nicer than union busters.

[Blue_true]

62. Actually they are. Thanks for helping with wording. nt

[hedda_foil]

57. The only difference between advisors and lobbyists in this context is purely rhetorical.

Joe is being sold exactly as every other establishment endorsed nominee of lo these many years. Shall we count the won-lost record of these nominees the party establishment considered most electable vs those who weren't their preferred nominee? Let's see.

Year Name Won/Lost Most "Electable"?
1976 Jimmy Carter Won No
1980 Carter Lost Yes
1984 Mondale Lost Yes
1988 Dukakis Lost Yes
1992 Clinton Won No
1996 Clinton Won No
2000 Gore Lost Yes (ran away from Clinton, as advised)
2004 Kerry Lost Yes
2008 Obama Won No (Hillary was their favorite)
2012 Obama Won Yes
2016 H. Clinton Lost Yes
2020 Biden? Yes

Yes there are decent excuses to be made for all the losses, but the won-lost record of the Democratic establishment sucks. Anyone who supports a candidate because they're supposed to be the most electable should probably ask "Says Who?"





`

[Blue_true]

63. Well.

1932: FDR Yes:Yes

Earlier (when repugh was decent) TR. Yes:Yes

Woodrow Wilson Yes:Yes

So, Yes:Yes did win and do significant stuff. What was the key? They all ran against a deeply flawed opponent.

[jalan48]

56. I think it's called hedging your bet.

[Fiendish Thingy]

64. Mm, hm. Joe is the "safe" candidate...

Safe for whom?

[Demsrule86]

72. Tossing Trump out of office.

[Demsrule86]

66. Um Comcast is hosting it.

Why the deceptive post...do you find it more effective, we'll It's not.

[progressoid]

69. In 2013, Cohen endorsed sitting Republican Governor Tom Corbett for the Governor's bid.

David L. Cohen is an American businessman, attorney, and political figure in Pennsylvania. He is best known for being a close confidant of former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell. He currently serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, and he is the executive vice president of Comcast;[3] the company's chief of lobbying.[4]

...

In February 2013, Cohen endorsed sitting Republican Governor Tom Corbett for the Governor's potential re-election bid.[15]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_L._Cohen

[Hassin Bin Sober]

71. Well that's better.

[Celerity]

73. Biden co-host Dan Hilferty's group (AHIP)pumped $102 million in 14 months to try and block Obamacare

Now they are doing the same with MFA and even the much milder buy-in option. No chance Biden should get a free pass on this.


https://www.democraticunderground.com/1002805314

As the Supreme Court readies to announce their decision on the individual mandate portion of the health reform, it has emerged that the largest health care lobbying group in the country spent a total of $102.4 million in just 15 months to prevent Obamacare from becoming law in the first place.

In 2009 alone, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) pumped $86.2 million into a conservative lobbying group, the US Chamber of Commerce, to combat President Obama’s health care reform plan. But with the added months of 2010 prior to the ACA’s March passage, AHIP piled on an additional $16 million to be used against the bill.

That staggering total, which the National Journal’s Influence Alley uncovered today, was not out in the open — rather, the funds were transferred through a secretive process and listed only by the organization as ‘advocacy’ spending:

The backchannel spending allowed insurers to publicly stake out a pro-reform position while privately funding the leading anti-reform lobbying group in Washington. The chamber spent tens of millions of dollars bankrolling efforts to kill health care reform.


more at link
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/06/13/499093/health-care-insurers-spent-100-million-to-combat-the-affordable-care-act/

[EffieBlack]

74. This is the kind of holier-than-thou circular firing squad crap that softened up Hillary for Trump

And here we go again already ...