Union Targets Democrats With Significant Online EFCA Campaign

One of the nation's largest unions is making a significant ad purchase targeting four Democrats and one Republican Senator on the Employee Free Choice Act.

The Service Employees International Union is, according to an aide, putting "well more than $100,000" behind online ads and similar promotional activities designed to turn up the heat on members of Congress whose support for EFCA is tepid or non-existent.

Targeting Democratic Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Jim Webb of Virginia, and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, as well as Republican David Vitter of Louisiana, the message is at once effective and sharp: To oppose the labor-backed legislation would be to side with the institutions that create the current economic malaise.

"Big banks and greedy corporations got our country into this mess," reads the script, which is tailored to each individual Senator and state. "Now they want to fire or harass employees who want to join a union."

In addition to putting out the four web videos, the SEIU is also launching email campaigns targeting the five senators, with much the same message and aim.

"The goal," the union aide said, "is to frame the debate on the Employee Free Choice Act going forward as a choice: Standing with working people, or standing with greedy CEOs who wrecked our economy in the first place."

What is remarkable is the willingness of the SEIU to publicly target this quartet of Democrats on EFCA. It is an indication of just where the debate currently lies. Indeed, in private, union officials say they are confidant that they can get EFCA passed. But the details of the legislation will be largely determined by the willingness these recalcitrant Democrats to compromise.

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Comments

[ThePen]

For the Democrats not to come out in full force and unity in support of the Employee Free Choice Act is simply an act of political suicide on their part, period.

Can't the Democrats see the big picture here? If more American workers organize into unions as a result of the Employee Free Choice Act it only stands to increase the base and scope of the Democratic party to no end, as union members almost always increasingly vote Democratic.

We should run ads against the Democrats that don't support the Employee Free Choice Act not based on what will happen to them if they don't vote for the Act per se, but what will happen to them if they do vote for it. Play the theme music from Rocky "Gonna Fly Now" to the ads showing the Democratic party getting stronger against the back drop of images of American workers improving their lives by voting for representation on the job. These ads could be fun to make and run!

[jimrs6]

EFCA will come at the price of a lot of jobs out there.

[tel8034]

In addition to these ads which target these 4 democrats, other ads like these should be targeted at ALL BLUE DOGS in Congress.

It's about time they are REMINDED of which side of the aisle they sit, and about the constituents they WORK FOR.

[jmpurser]

Excellent! Go get them! I'm sick of labor supporting Democrats who do NOTHING for them. I'm sad to see Congressman Webb's name on there though. I hope he comes around.

[roshni]

Good. Hope it works. I'm rooting for the unions.

[NYC07]

Anti-Unionism was one of the tenants given to the US by the great “St. Reagan” This is why all the Repubs and those who have been brought and paid for by big business praise him and grovel at the foot of his shrine.

[logan9]

true that!

[Mystic01]

Excellent! My university is currently holding an election to certify a union for part-time instructors. After that, on to unionize the clerical and technical workers!

[CigarGod]

Off topic, but watched a newer Kennedy Assa-ssina-tion documentary the other night.
Apparently Arlen Specter is the one who advanced, promoted and defended the single bull-ett theory.

[an observer3]

I'm a democrat from Pennsylvania and will not be voting for Specter.

[comeback]

Thank you my fellow Pa resident...I believe its time for a change in Pa...We have been in a recession since 1970,and have been a blue state ever since..We need Republicans to lower our taxes,so we can move ahead..Republicans know Economics 1000 times better than all the Dems put together...We need to have jobs created through the Economics of Republican­s..Liberal Democrat policies always fail..this is why CA,and NY are bankrupt..this is why Pa has been in a slump for decades..are you working now(I hope you are)..are you in a Union my friend

[mellowrant]

Get a clue! What did the rethugs do for the past 8 years? They lined their own pockets!

[PiscesPrincess]

an observer did Not say he would vote Republican. lol. and you are not a Democrat.

[logan9]

Is this a joke? If not, you are obviously a puppet!

[logan9]

And by the way, CALIFORNIA is lead by a GOPer!

[albanianmomforobama]

I am a democrat from Pennsylvania too, but I rather vote for Specter that for a right wing extremist.
Don't make that mistake. We need to keep PA a BLUE state.

[comeback]

Why ,so we can be behind in everything...We need job creation(not extra taxes)...why are Libs so Economically challenged...mr.o smart democrat...name 1 Obama policy that will revive the Economy and explain how

[Cunningham]

Support a run for Dem Joe Sestak. Screw Specter.

[roshni]

Thanks. Please consider volunteering for Joe Sestak. My daughter and I are doing that this summer.

[rinpochet]

Thanks! Wish I could but live in California. I will continue to send money to Sestak though as with the help of the unions, he can finally put Specter out to pasture where he belongs.

[smiththomas]

they kiilled the steel industry, the killed the auto industry and now they want to do away with secret ballots. unions hurt everyone else except the union employees. the unions could care less about the workers making minimum wage. all the do is make people pay more to support their much higher than minimum wage pay and benifits. in other words the are inflationary for everyone. Raise the minimum wage and lower the union pay.

[comeback]

You are almost right...Both Unions and Minimum wage laws destroy wages for the middle class

[Mystic01]

How did unions kill these industries? Facts, please.

Union pay and benefits have raised the living standards for everyone in society. Most anti-union rhetoric comes from jealous people who wish they could have the pay and benefits that union workers have earned.

[NYC07]

Isn't it obvious? Unions demand fair and livable wages, and safe working conditions, HOW DARE THEY!!
How are we supposed to survive in a global economy where we compete with people willing to work for a dollar a day in a fire hazard sweat shop ? How would anyone make a huge profit? I'm sure that our good friend "smiththomas" and people like him/her feel that this country has gone to "Hell in a hand basket" ever since they instituted those evil” Child Labor Laws" etc.

[comeback]

Unions are ponzi scams...You have to start one or get in early to ride it to retirement..Unions artificial set wages and retirement programs higher than the market demands..When the steel industry collapsed in the 80s minimum wage was $2.85 and steel workers were at $24.00(uns­ustainable­)..Uniuoni­zed industries are incomparable in the real market..Democrat policy under Carter forced interest rates through the roof,during a time of Unemployment,and inflation...Unions forced companies to give employees a (cost of living increase every 3 months)..When inflation was finally ceased in the 80s(the steel industry was left with an unsustainable situation)when the market returned to normalcy..­.....Minim­um wage laws make unemployment among teenagers artificially high...Employers can hire a adult (that knows more than a teenager)because of the higher wage...2 things happen....as I said teenage unemployment(teens cant get their 1st workplace experience) and adults accept a lower wage (not enough for a family)........the point.....If teenagers were the only people working for minimum wage(and learning experience to further themselves...higher paying jobs go to the adults...When full employment is finally reached the extra frivolous teen spending further pushes the economy higher...Demand then sets in..and Employers have to bid up pay for the better workers..This is hard to explain...A good Economics book is (basic economics by Thomas Sowell)...It is a good start for people that want to invest and make money..It also helps in job searching

[ManwithaParachute]

Wrong enemy. Unions are organized workers. If folks on minimum wage want more then ORGANIZE.

Management is in control of industry and at every turn management is responsible for failure of their business.

I am not sure if this is an American trait or not but, people seem willing to blame the unwilling victim and rally behind the lemmings willingly jumping off cliffs.

[Michael Gene Sullivan - Huffpost Blogger]

The average UAW member makes about $58,000 per year.
The CEO of GM in 2007 made about $14,400,000.
His income equals 248 average workers.
And you think the problem is the workers are... making too much. That the organizations the workers created to protect themselves from corporation who would prefer to pay them as little as legally possible is the problem.
One thing we should have learned from the last few years is that corporations don't give a damn about the average person. They really don't care whether you live or die - unless it effects their profits. And they have a long history of preferring to pay as little as possible to unprotected workers in dangerous working conditions until that worker is no longer deemed effective, then firing them with no retirement package or benefits. That is what they want, and the only reason they cannot do that is because the unions fought against them.
A corporation is not your benefactor or friend - it is simply the entity that sees it's employees as unfortunate costs which cuts into profit, and which grudging pays as little as possible. And for the average person, a union is the only defense.

[Mystic01]

Co-sign.

[roshni]

Agree.

[comeback]

leaving out details my friend...how many employees did GM employ at this wage $58000

[Parys]

This bill is not about your right to unionize. It is about your CHOICE to have a PRIVATE vote in the union. If you feel the union is not in your best interest (not all employers are bad) they can, in theory, ask you to vote in front of your co-workers so everyone will know how you voted. That way you can be hounded/harassed by your co-workers and into voting what they want. No matter what YOU BELIEVE. As we are talking about Big Business. Take the time to check out what the unions own. How many of you know that UNITE HERE owns Amalgamated Bank, which in turn owns other businesses? That makes them an employer as well. If their employees are union and their boss isn't that a conflict of interest? While I believe there is a lot of greed out there with CEO's. I also think that if you own or started the company, you had better be making more than the average employee. It is your business after all. Now, if you are still doing well and your business isn't then that is an issue.

[rinpochet]

You mean you don't want people to make a living wage? Guess you're also in favor of s.l.a.v.e labor which is the logical outcome of your argment.

Other industrialized countries treat their workers well as they know that without them, the country doesn't run. People with decent salaries can afford to purchase the products make in this country, if there are any left.

BTW, EVERYONE should make higher than minimum wage which is is impossible to live on. Also, better benefits.

Why is it that the USA is the only industrialized country that really does not give a d.a.m.n. about its workers?

[comeback]

please read an good economics book(I know what I am doing)and I'm not going back and forth with you...I was a Democrat until 2002...When I decided to supplement my job with investing(I had to study Economics)..When I learned how the Economy works,and what causes what (I found out I was a Republican)..my favorite Economist is a black man..Thomas Sowell...read basic economics...it will change your views forever

[Graywolf48]

Good! I hope it goes nationwide and all the Senators who are bought and paid for by the banks and CEO's learn fast that there is a price to be paid for ignoring the will of the people. Our government is supposed to be a government of the people, by the people and for the people, unfortunately the only "people" that seem to matter to the politician's are the artificial people created by the courts, corporations. The American people have got to take back their government from the banks and corporations that have for far too long corrupted our public officials with bribes, boardroom chairs and large campaign contributions.

[comeback]

What are you talking about..you can have a Union anytime you want to

[rinpochet]

You're joking, right? Try forming one at your place of work. The companies put the fear of dismissal into the workers once the meetings are announced. That's why they're trying to destroy this bill that will make it easier to form unions.

[albanianmomforobama]

How about republican senators who are bought and paid for by the banks and CEO's. Why unions don't go after them?
I think they have the wrong target here.

[PaiaGirl]

Anti-union rhetoric has been very subtle and ongoing in America ever since 1960 or so. And it has had its effect on general thinking.

Laws favoring union-busting have increased.

Laws favoring unions have been repealed

As a result we have corporations skimming off $billions while the regular working families in this country have actually seen their buying power decrease dramatically since 1960.

Our middle class has all but been wiped out, leaving most of us once paycheck away from poverty.

Unions aren't perfect but we need SOMETHING to fight back against the big corporations riding roughshod over us.

[CigarGod]

Yep, because government is in the bag for the corporations.