[ItsAllAboutMeMan] Re: Lansing's After More of Your Rights

 

A while back a nice young man came to the door and gave me a pitch about a new grassroots group he was supporting, who were looking out for the folks the Occupiers call the 99%.  

I gave him some money, and was interested in offering further support.

However, now that I'm on your email list, I have learned it was nothing but an astroturf front for you, the AFL-CIO, an organization I have tremendous contempt for.

At one point I made a special study of the AFL-CIOs role (in coordination with USAID and the CIA) in suppressing indigenous labor unions in other countries, particularly in Latin America.  Just today I read an article that informs me you are still up to your old tricks:  http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/05/10/big-labors-tool-of-empire/. A journalist friend of mine assured me that it isn't just overseas, she saw the same thing happen in El Paso.

Some time after that, I personally witnessed the local affiliate of the AFL-CIO conduct a highly deceptive campaign to gain exclusive representation rights in an agency that previously was made up of a work force that contained a mix of non-union employees and employees represented by 3 different unions.  The organizers listened sympathetically to tales of corruption, cruelty, and a workplace where all the good employees were on anti-depressants, it was such a hostile environment. Relief was promised from these conditions.  

Yet after the successful election, when I attended a shop stewards meeting, where we were told in no uncertain terms that the union would only become involved in cases of individual grievances and negotiations over salary; that the union had been involved in "co-managing" some particularly dysfunctional agencies, and you would never do that again. That was the only reason I had decided to get into bed with the devil, because mafia-like, you offered protection, and clearly you had no intention of actually providing it.  In my years of activism, this is one of my actions I'm most ashamed of; that I made this compromise, even though I knew the character of the people that I was dealing with, and that I was so desperate for respite that I trusted such untrustworthy people.

I certainly would not have given you even the $5 - $20 had you not instructed your canvassers to obscure who you are.  That kind of deceptive practice is certainly not endearing you to the fading number of people here in Michigan that still believe in you. Of course, it's a very small thing compared to how you take union members money, enthusiasm, and votes, and deliver them to politicians like Obama who give them neglect and union-busting in return for their support. Absolutely shameful.  You people have a lot to answer for.  I hope that you will collapse so that you can be replaced by something that actually works for the workers, because I have sadly concluded that you are beyond reform.

On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 11:31 AM, Fran Brennan, Working America <workingamerica@aflcio.org> wrote:

	Leaders in Lansing Don't Want You to Have Paid Sick Days Off of Work Workers across the state go to work each day while sick, having to make the choice of earning a paycheck that day or taking care of themselves or a sick child. Tell Michigan lawmakers to oppose HB 4249 and allow community leaders to pass laws that benefit citizens who work there. Matt, When will enough be enough from our legislature? It's bad enough they trampled on our rights to collectively bargain, continue to cut vital programs we all rely on and take over our communities, but now they want to limit the ability of workers to have paid sick days off from work. Seriously. Extreme lawmakers in Lansing are again letting their rich CEO friends call the shots, and are trying to pass HB 4249, a bill that would prevent any local entity from adopting a law that guarantees paid sick days for its workers. We can't let them get away with another attack on workers. We need you to take action right now, before it's too late. Every day, thousands of Michigan workers go to work while sick, or while having a sick child at home. Some of us are lucky enough to have paid sick days from our employers, but many others don't. That means workers often have to make the choice of earning money for the day, or taking care of themselves or their families. But this law, and its rich corporate backers, would end the discussion of paid sick days before it starts. We have great community leaders across the state who have considered adopting laws to make sure their workers and citizens are healthy and respected. This law would make it impossible for local cities, townships and other local entities to pass laws granting workers paid sick days off from work. Matt, we have to push back. Can you take a minute and send a message now? This bill is moving fast, so we have to act now. Please send a message to vital lawmakers now. With your help, we can win this and stop continued attacks on working families. In solidarity, Fran Brennan Working America
Click here to unsubscribe. National Office 815 16th St., N.W. • Washington, DC 20006 • 202-637-5137 • info@workingamerica.org Copyright © 2013 WORKING AMERICA

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I want to play in your town for you and 2 of your friends. 
http://eventful.com/performers/matt-love-/P0-001-000156481-4/demands

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