Obama defends Republic Windows and Doors workers

[mucifer]

December 7, 2008

BY ABDON PALLASCH Sun-Times Political Reporter

President-elect Barack Obama put himself on the side of the workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory Sunday:

“When it comes to the situation here in Chicago with the workers who are asking for their benefits and payments they have earned, I think they are absolutely right,” Obama said Sunday at a news conference announcing his new Veterans Affairs director. “What’s happening to them is reflective of what’s happening across this economy.

President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in which he sided with the workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory.
(AP)



“When you have a financial system that is shaky, credit contracts. Businesses large and small start cutting back on their plants and equipment and their workforces. That’s why it’s so important for us to maintain a strong financial system. But it’s also important for us to make sure that the plans and programs that we design aren’t just targeted at maintaining the solvency of banks, but they are designed to get money out the doors and to help people on Main Street. So, number one, I think that these workers, if they have earned their benefits and their pay, then these companies need to follow through on those commitments.

“Number two, I think it is important for us to make sure that, moving forward, any economic plan we put in place helps businesses to meet payroll so we are not seeing these kinds of circumstances again,’’ he said. “Have we done everything that we can to make sure credit is flowing to businesses and to families, and to students who are trying to get loans? And to homeowners who have been making payments on their homes but are still finding their property values so depressed that it becomes very difficult for them to make the mortgage payments?

“That’s where the rubber hits the road and that’s going to be the central focus of my administration.”

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1318766,barack-obama-republic-window-doors-120708.article

[happychatter]

1. He didn't hesitate. He didn't mince words. He didn't equivocate.

he said

"They're right."

In my 57 years I can't remember a U.S. President having done this... to
say outright, "the workers are right," in a "labor-management" dispute.

My jaw hit the floor.

[rockymountaindem]

2. Good point

This is an encouraging sign. People are taking action and the incoming President isn't afraid to take their side.

[mucifer]

3. and to the people that say he needs to go there and be with the workers

I say no he needs to work on fixing the entire nation. He made his statement.

[davidpdx]

4. M, so true and I'm glad you made this point...

The person who said he should rush down there negotiate is dead wrong. There is a serious financial crisis going on, two wars and a transition to a new administration. All these people who think he's got extra time on his hands are fooling themselves.

[knowledgeispwr]

5. The problem is that there are too many that expect Obama to jump on their pet issue.

I'm not saying that those particular issues are not important, but that as you said, Obama is president of the entire country and he needs to be focused on the great problems that affect our well-being as a nation.

I can hardly believe that people are saying that the president elect should rush and do X to demonstrate Y or else they are ready to write him off before he even gets inaugurated.

[Odin2005]

7. IMO that is the result of the last 30 years of politics as usual.

People put their pet issues above the needs of the country as a whole and that if you are not obsessed with that pet issue you are declared to be "not a real progressive" and everyone gets shot in a circular firing squad.

[davidpdx]

8. Exactly...and now that the whole thing is resolved

We shouldn't expect those hysterical people to admit they were wrong.

[Odin2005]

6. This is why I voted for a community organizer with a funny name who read Alinsky.

GOBAMA!!!