Maine AFL-CIO unanimously endorses Libby Mitchell for Governor

I'm shocked! (0.00 / 0)

The AFL-CIO endorsed the Democrat nominee!  Who would have thought?

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by: Dan Billings @ Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 17:17:59 PM CDT

Behind the Curtins (0.00 / 0)

While you snidely treat this endorsement as a foregone conclusion, it is in fact a logical extension of the disagreement we have in this country about the value of work in relation to capital.  Democrats through many decades, not perfectly, have allied with and served those who are the true origin of capital through their labor, be it sweat or wit. Republicans have during the same period, with increasing perfection, have valued solely those who hoard and misuse the capital gained from the work of others, be it by cleptocracy or class manipulation.

On the basis of the latter party, one can fully expect big business organizational endorsements of your GOTP nominee.  Of course the greatest manipulation undertaken by Republicans is that of the constant mantra of anti-tax and use of divisive social issues to dupe many of the less than well off to cast votes for Republican plutocrats who turn around and act against the economic interests of those who elected them.

Harrumphing about a Democrat getting a labor endorsement is another predictable extension of this deception and pales next to what a GOTP hard-right-wing Governor, especially Paul LePage, will seek to do in the way of harm to lower and middle class individuals and families in Maine.  And beware, after the previously mentioned damage, he may bull his way forward to even knock over some sacred vessels in your Republican china shop.

Direct question: Does Dan Billings endorse and intend to vote for Paul LePage?

Assigned reading:  http://www.tcfrank.com/books/w...

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by: Bruce Bourgoine @ Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 18:39:21 PM CDT

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What's the Matter with Kansas came (0.00 / 0)

from this essay that first appeared in Harper's, Lie Down for America.

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by: Gerald Weinand @ Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 21:14:07 PM CDT

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Has Marden's ever had a (0.00 / 0)

complaint filed against it with the NLRB?

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by: Gerald Weinand @ Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 21:11:07 PM CDT

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Turkeys hold off complaints? (0.00 / 0)

From:  http://www.asmainegoes.com/con...

Q: Would you resist a labor-organizing effort at Mardens?

LePage: We would, because it would totally end our family culture. Mr. Marden designed this whole operation to be run like one big family, and he REALLY meant it. His vision was a place that was as fun to work at as it was to shop at, and we give employees a part of Marden's they can take ownership of - and get out of their way. We offer full time employment, health insurance, a full match on 401k, a strong vacation policy, profit sharing - and we still give out turkeys at Thanksgiving and a gift at Christmas. There are benefits at Marden's you won't see in any collective bargaining agreement, and we want it to stay that way
.
Really, our ideal of a well run company is when you can't tell the workers from the bosses. A union shop can't operate like that.

I can't really judge Marden's as an employer and your question is a good one that ought to be investigated by a journalist (here journalist, here, here...come serve readers with real news...come, come here).  But if the answer to the question put by AMG to LePage is as above, then one would think that LePage would favor organization of workers in businesses that use lots of part timers, alienate workers, avoid paying health insurance, vacation benefits, 401k matches, et cetera.

Of course the type of work environment he envisions does not apply to teachers because he sees long fought for fair wages, secure retirements and similar treatment of teachers are handcuffs as noted in I can't really judge Marden's as an employer and you question is a good one that ought to be investigated by a journalist (here journalist, here, here...come serve readers with real news...come, come here) .  But if the answer to the question put by AMG to LePage is as above, then one would think that LePage would favor organization of workers in businesses that use lots of part timers, alienate workers, avoid paying health insurance, vacation benefits, 401k matches, et cetera.

Of course the type of work environment he envisions does not apply to teachers because he sees long fought for fair wages, hopefully secure retirements and similar treatment of teachers are handcuffs as noted at http://www.mpbn.net/News/YourV... :

We need charter schools. Maine has great kids and great teachers, but the education system is handcuffed by large unions.

I suspect we'll get a good old fashioned dose of the typical GOTP union bashing and stirring up of union/teacher/state worker envy divisive efforts from Mr. LePage as the campaign goes on.

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by: Bruce Bourgoine @ Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 09:27:50 AM CDT

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It makes me wonder if (0.00 / 0)

Marden's offers a living wage to its employees. Of course, providing a match to employee contributions to a 401k doesn't mean shit if the employees don't (or can't afford to) contribute to it.

But yes, it is fascinating that the benefits that can be found at Marden's are an anathema to LePage when applied to Maine's teachers (and I'll guess to all public employees).

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by: Gerald Weinand @ Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 12:24:17 PM CDT

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401k Crime Alert - Theft of Services (0.00 / 0)

401k Plans were just early (successful) attempts at setting up the "ownership society" long before George W. Bush, whereby workers were sold a bill of goods that they would "own" their retirement destinies.  Instead what they got was current pay reductions if they diverted any income into 401k accounts and lost their more solidly dependable pensions over time.  It was a great deal cheaper for companies to break the backs of pension rewards for long service for pennies on the dollar through what was disguised as a "generous" match.  

What society got was an end the economic benefits of highly experienced service and longevity loyalty to companies by employees and a start of a rapid race to the bottom for cheap labor on a global scale.  And for those workers nearing retirement with those 401k plans, plenty of their money got blasted away in huge bonuses, big commissions, fees upon fees, bad decisions, unforgivable losses, insider stock manipulation, and other spurious activities that now show up in startlingly small numbers on their 401k statements.  But they now "own" those numbers!

The GOTP (Grand Old Tea Party) is ready to apply the same plan to Social Security.  One can easily predict the results.

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by: Bruce Bourgoine @ Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 12:47:41 PM CDT

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I also note from LePage's comment (0.00 / 0)

that Marden's offers health insurance - note that he doesn't say that Marden's provides health insurance to its employees.

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by: Gerald Weinand @ Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 12:41:40 PM CDT

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I reminded myself of (0.00 / 0)

this thread at AMG, and my question:

Does Marden's pay at least a living wage to all of its employees? Does Marden's provide health insurance coverage to its employees and their families?

The living wage in Maine for one adult and one child is about $16.00 an hour, 40 hours a week.

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by: Gerald Weinand @ Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 13:18:51 PM CDT

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LePage (0.00 / 0)

Bruce: Yes.

Business groups are must less predictable than labor.  They were on both sides of Question 1.  Many busines groups opposed TABOR.  

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by: Dan Billings @ Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 23:06:57 PM CDT

Businesses Sides (0.00 / 0)

Dan you are somewhat correct on business groups being on both sides of things as you noted in your question one example.

There are of course several reasons:

- Some businesses do seek outcomes that harm other businesses.  A prime big example is how the alliance of automotive, petroleum, and military industries have influenced the greatest industry subsidies ever dispersed through the development of the interstate highway system and supporting roadways to the detriment of a rail system that today is derided for any mention of a paltry subsidy.

- There are some corporations that are owned by entrepreneurial leaders that actually (hold on to your hats folks) operate with a social conscience.  Apple and PG&E both left the US Chamber of Commerce because of the association's shortsighted position about the need for robust climate change legislation.   Duke Energy Corporation would not renew its membership in the National Association of Manufacturers for a similar reason.

- And without doubt, large corporations try to capture government, especially on the national level, by lots channeling campaign donations to both political parties in bids for influence.  The financial meltdown and the non-resulting regulation and reform are an example of this purchase and capture of many Democrats and Republicans equally guilty of accepting legal (but unethical) quid pro quo bribes.

Finally, there is another aspect to all this that is remarkable.  Chambers of Commerce, large business lobbying groups, and similar associations enjoy the membership and support of literally millions of small businesses that are, just like the examples in the post above regarding plutocrats using misleading issues to gain working class support only to vote against that electorate's economic interests, employing the same deception to manipulate small businesses into supporting the aims of large corporations much to the detriment of small businesses.  In truth, better regulation of large business interests, forcing large scale companies to treat workers fairly, placing ceilings that eliminate "too big to fail", restricting monopolies more actively, restructuring lending laws to favor smaller companies, and a great deal of other matters would be much more aligned with small business interests.  Big business falsehoods are perpetuated to take dues and local influence and use it to further interests counter to the interests of the small more local supplicants.  Small businesses are not served well by this arrangement at all and some are starting to recognize this situation.

Instead of labor being more predictable, I'd say it is being more consistent.

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by: Bruce Bourgoine @ Wed Jun 23, 2010 at 08:42:12 AM CDT

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Hmmmm... (0.00 / 0)

Business groups are must less predictable than labor.  They were on both sides of Question 1.  Many busines groups opposed TABOR.

Wouldn't a fair conclusion to draw from that fact be that some businesses feel well-represented by Democrats or Republicans (or both), but that no labor unions feel that Republicans have their interests in mind?  

(And if so, given the way unions are demonized by many mainstream Republican politicians and obscure internet personalities, who can really blame them? If you listened to Glenn Beck, or Mark Turek, you'd think a bunch of Maine elementary school teachers know where Jimmy Hoffa's buried...)

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by: jm @ Thu Jun 24, 2010 at 12:35:51 PM CDT

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Personally, I think (0.00 / 0)

Hoffa is buried underneath 12 Mile Road in my hometown of Southfield, Michigan. He was last seen at a restaurant about five miles from my boyhood home, and at the time, 12 Mile was in the middle of a major widening project.

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by: Gerald Weinand @ Thu Jun 24, 2010 at 12:38:24 PM CDT

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