Feinstein Denies Report That She's Fully Opposed To EFCA

Senator Diane Feinstein's office is denying reports that the California Democrat is firmly and completely opposed to the union-backed Employee Free Choice Act.

On Wednesday, the station KHTS-AM reported that, during a meeting with the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Feinstein told attendees that she would not support EFCA -- which would allow for more avenues to unionization -- regardless of how the measure was watered down in negotiations.

"She will not vote for the bill," John Shaffery, the vice president for the SCV Chamber Board of Directors, was quoted as saying. "And she will not support any modification allowing the process to bypass secret ballots, and she believes that now is not the right time for this type of legislation given the downturn in the economy."

The business community trumpeted the news, with the Workforce Fairness Institute blasting the story out to a list of reporters.

But was the victory lap a bit premature? Reached on the phone, an aide to Feintstein said the report was not accurate.

"This guy John Shaffery does not speak for the Senator," said the Senator's main spokesperson, Gil Duran, who added that a statement clarifying the remarks would be issued this afternoon.

Speaking on background, another attendee at the meeting went a bit further in pushing back against Shaffery's remarks. "This must be his first rodeo because the story hasn't changed much. It has been the same: She is looking for a compromise. And anyone who says otherwise is engaging in some wishful thinking."

The labor community, for what it is worth, is not panicked. In fact, in one respect, they are pleased.

"It's pretty ironic that the net result of the Chamber meeting, and email blasting, is they resulted in Sentor Feinstein putting out a statement saying she DOES support major labor law reform," emailed one union official.

UPDATE: Here is Feinstein's statement, firmly denying the report.

"A statement has been put out mischaracterizing my position on this bill. The truth is that I am working to find common ground between the needs of both business and labor in order to reach a bipartisan solution.

I believe we must find a way to protect the privacy of individual workers so that they may elect whether to form a union free of intimidation."

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Comments

[ChristianEcon.com]

The GOP nearly destroyed our economy with continual policy rewarding wealth over work. Time to turn re-unionize our workforces--give the people doing the work and their families a voice in the market.

[ohiodem250]

Realize, HuffPosters, that there are Democrats who don't share your ultra-liberal vision. I warn many on these boards to not let our new majority-status in DC threaten the tone and tenor of our Big Tent Party. Being so inclusive allowed us to win this majority. However, if the extreme left keeps pushing the very hard line of "no compromise on EFCA, only single-payer is acceptable," you will soon ask yourselves why you are wondering in the wilderness. I am a Democrat, but I am so because of foreign policy and domestic social issues like gay marriage, affirmative action, sex-ed in schools, and reproductive rights. But those things do not make me a fiscal liberal. I believe in fiscal responsibility. I think the federal deficit can hold deficits at times if the amount is responsible and soundly leveraged, addresses a current crisis, and is not perpetual. But I think programs need to pay for themselves. And most importantly, I am a tried and true capitalist. I think unions should exist and do good by working people. But I do not believe that labor and management should, or necessarily do, view themselves as enemies. Realize you are but a wing of the party. You are not the party itself. And if you become as hard line of a left-wing as the right-wing of the Republican Party, I can assure you, the Heartland the Middle North and the Mountain West will return to the GOP.

[ChristianEcon.com]

Sorry, most people are hard-working and care about their families, and would all benefit competitively from any unionization anywhere. That's already a "big tent." Demonizing unions is the wrong way to go.

[RevSpaminator]

This is the same garbage we are hearing from Washington State's Governor, Christine Gregior about a similar measure proposed at the state level. A lot of Dems are over the barrel of their corporate masters. They are terrified that their vote might be counted towards any legislation that actually has some teeth in limiting the excesses of corporate greed.

We just voted for them. It isn't like we have the money to make the big donations. Why should they care what the majority wants? Maybe we should remind the Dems of what Nader did for them in 2000.

[Robert Pajkovski]

Sorry, I meant that she is NOT with the Obama plan.

[Gatormouth]

Just my personal opinion, but Ms Feinstein has always been something of a Corporatist Democrat . Not my choice in a primary,but better than a troll in a general election. I think her support for labor is normally tepid at best.

[Bilboo]

She's a tre@cherous h@g on a whole range of issues. She needs a primary challenge.

[mrh3]

This b.s. might not fly in the internet age.

[skeptical1]

I am outraged that there would be a question at all about Feinstein's vote on this bill. Feinstein's husband is the fund advisor and manager for all of the California Carpenter's Pension funds and skims off over $2 million every year in fees. These people are parasites living high on the hog directly off the pensions of union members. If she doesn't vote for this, the Carpenters and every other union in this country should demand their money back from the Feinsteins and get themselves new advisors who will support the well being of working people.
These are not the only anti union people that rake money off the workers pension funds. Every union member should contact their pension trustees and be assured that only prounion people are working for their funds.

[ChristianEcon.com]

Seconded.

[mudshark12]

I'm wondering, what's the point in voting for politicians when there are more bad ones than good ones?

[Artos]

If you want that to change then you as well as all the rest of us who object to these kind of politicians must first do away with the concept that Money= Free Speech. This idea that PACs and the Wealthy should be allowed to donate as much as they want or that Wealthy people fund their own elections is the trouble. We need to go to a completely Public Funded election method. That 3 dollars that we check off on our tax forms is for the Public funding of elections. It should be the only money allowed for that purpose. Not one dime otherwise. As it stands Money equals payola and influence peddling. Are we a democracy or is it mere demagoguery to believe that we the people actually run this country. That is the question of our day. If we don't change things we deserve all the Feinsteins and Mitt Romneys etc. that we have running our country today.

[thistooshallpass]

Yes, I can name a company. United Technologies. Family member worked there for 35 years as a salaried worker. Every time the union made a gain, he got a raise.

It is not just union members that benefit from union activities. Some ingrates forget that fact. I understand why the business community hates unions, they want more money, OK.

The workers in this country are working against their own best interest when they oppose unions. This is really the ultimate exercise of political power. To convince people to actually work against their own best interest. Amazing!!!!!!!

[olmossy]

Wanna see where workers would be without organized labor in the US. Read the Grapes OF Wrath.

[ChristianEcon.com]

It's a double standard this country has entrenched psychologically. Business owners have some kind of unquestionable right to take whatever they can bargain for, but workers somehow are demonized for using strength in numbers for the same ends.

[olmossy]

Business=Profit=money=political power=Demonization and enslavement of Workers.

When we are all working together for a common cause , we are ALL like brothers in arms.
The moment money and profit is introduced, greed comes into the picture.
Money is NOT evil, Greed and selfishness bring the Evil.

[garymc8]

SHE IS A REPUBLICAN WHO SIDED WITH BUSH 3 TIMES TOO MANY FOR ME. I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR HER FOR GOV. OF CALIF. DIANNE: RETIRE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT A DEMOCRAT AND HAVE NOT BEEN FOR YEARS.

[brt929]

Why, is there talk that she is planning to run?

I now regret every time I voted for her. My brother was living in San Francisco when she was Mayor, and he warned me against her.

[JakeMontero]

Gary - I can't read this through all the shouting... the cap lock key is next the the A key...

[jimrs6]

This was discussed on MSNBC this morning. The question around the table was to name a successful company that is unionized. Nobody could.

[wijg]

Because they didn't want to, not because they couldn't.

[jimrs6]

Can you?

[olmossy]

The unions and this whole country were doing great, after FDR and the new deal, Then around the late 70s Milton Friedmans Free Market Neoliberal economics were started , Glass Steagall was gutted and the Middle Class started downhill. The Rich got richer and everyone else got poorer and poorer.
Bear Stearns and other Investment Banks weren't union Ask Scarborrough how they are doing?

[JakeMontero]

I think Boeing does ok. I can think of others.

[ChristianEcon.com]

Japanese auto makers.

[wijg]

"She is looking for a compromise."

My @$$!

I believe she said it. Someone needs to remove this woman from my state. I vote against her every chance I get.

[ChristianEcon.com]

It's time for everyone who goes to work every day to push back against the decades-long demonization propaganda against unions, accompanying the period when the middle class has been virtually disappearing. Seeing as how Corporate American and big business is so vehemently campaigning against EFCA, tells me EFCA must be something that would prove extremely valuable to working people. At any rate it's time America recognizes unionization as a means by which we can restore balance and efficiency to our economy.

http://www.christianecon.com/2008/09/unionization.html

[JakeMontero]

:SPAM:

[Artos]

As usual those who don't support Unions disregard the sad history of our country regarding labor vs Management. Most of the working stiffs in America whether they're union or not owe the benefits, their rights and the eight hour work day to what the Unions fought for. You can discount them all you want and complain that if you aren't with a union that all you get to do is pay higher prices, but why is it we don't hear those same complaints regarding the obscene salaries of the corporate execs and all of their privileges. Do you think that those aren't paid for by the high cost of everything you buy too. Or did you think they just make that up by magic.

[Buffyboy]

Effen right.

[madisonhack]

It's funny to hear anti-union voices at coffee shops on Saturday mornings...when they would all be at work on Saturday if not for the Union.

[olmossy]

It's the kool aid they've drank before they could afford a cup of coffee.
Just a thought, They are a little like someone who has just won the Idetierod Race, and is now setting in the warm cabin badmouthing all dog teams.

[Artos]

Who do you owe your soul to now Feinstein? Who bought your loyalties?

[ChristianEcon.com]

Good question.

[wndrwrthg]

It belongs to the monied interests. She has never been for the people.

[Daly]

she was way back in the 1970; but, I'd have to agree she has lost her way

[garymc8]

AT&T. Thats why she won't investigate ILLEGAL WIRE TAPPING.