McCain Crosses Picket Line for Leno Appearance (4th Republican candidate to cross)

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/02/01/mccain-crosses-picket-line-for-leno-appearance/

by Seth Michaels, Feb 1, 2008

Last night, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) appeared on NBC’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” To get to this national audience, he had to cross a picket line of striking writers.

We’ve already noted the new front-runner’s lack of economic expertise, his shaky record on issues important to working families (like jobs and trade) and his vote to filibuster the Employee Free Choice Act, so perhaps it should come as no surprise he wouldn’t hesitate to cross a picket line.



Members of the Writers Guild went on strike Nov. 5, seeking a new contract that will give them a fair share of the revenues from online and DVD distribution of the shows they create.

Several other Republican candidates have crossed the Writers Guild Picket lines, starting with Rep. Ron Paul (Texas), who appeared on ABC’s “The View” in December. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney also crossed the picket line to appear on the “Tonight Show.”


FULL story at link.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Republicans think crossing picket lines is a GOOD thing.

[rurallib]

2. it's just the thing any self-respecting GoOPer candidate must do

Stick up a big finger to labor. To that I say "Fuck you, mccain. And a double fuck you to Leno"

[ben_meyers]

3. Steve, following your posts you are the go to guy for

Labor and Union info. Do you know if any other members of the Leno show staff are union? On another board I read, somebody claims that the camera operators, sound crew, musicians and stage hands are all union or guild members and are crossing the picket line too. Do they have an agreement with the WGA to do this or are they ignoring the strike?

I know when I was in a union it was considered bad form to cross another unions line.

[Omaha Steve]

4. I believe his crew is union

When a bean counter said he would have to lay off his non striking workers, he reached a separate deal. I'm posting a Leno story that is related. See "The first Comedy Strike".