Labor Gets Tough and Threatens to Cut Off Cowardly Democrats

For a long time, Corporate Democrats have taken advantage of organized labor to mobilize voters for them and fund their campaigns. However, when big votes come up against powerful corporate interests, these Democrats continually abandon organized labor on key issues like the public option, Employee Free Choice Act, trade agreements, and other issues important for working people.

Ironically, they still go back to labor when they need them to get elected and in the past labor has often complied, giving them funds and ground troops.

Speaking yesterday at the Center for American Progress, Richard Trumka, the incoming president of the AFL-CIO, said those days are over. He put a shoot across the bow of such cowardly Democrats:

Today, more than ever, we need to be a labor movement that stands by our friends, punishes its enemies, and challenges those who, well, can't seem to decide which side they're on. I'm talking about the politicians who always want us to turn out our members to vote for them, but who somehow, always seem to forget workers after the votes are counted.

In an effort to counter wavering Democrats, organized labor has asked Democrats a fundamental question: Which Side Are They On? Democrats are either with working people or against them.

This isn't just some rhetoric designed to be molded to some vague, yet-to-be-defined compromise: Labor is making very specific demands. In an interview today on Politico, incoming AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said that the AFL-CIO will not support a bill that does not have a public option, an employer mandate for coverage, and no tax on employer-provided health benefits.

These are serious demands that every Democrat will now be forced to listen to due to labor's threat to cut off support. The labor movement under the leadership of Richard Trumka intends to be much more aggressive in forcing Democrats to stand by their campaign promises to working people.

Speaking last month at the Sheet Metal Workers Convention, Richard Trumka said:

Well, we need to send them a special message: it's that you may have forgotten what the labor movement did to get you elected; but, by God, we never will! And if you stab us in the back on health care this year don't you dare ask us for our support next year!

The labor movement is saying no surrender, no defeat in our fight for health care, an economy for all, the Employee Free Choice Act, and a host of other issues. The days of labor movement laying down and accepting what Democrats offer to give them are over.

The message to Democrats is clear: "Which Side Are You On?". You are either with us or against us.

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Comments

[therealredstateblues]

mfg workers were sold out by clinton on nafta and Obama could sell us out on china and other trade deals

Obama has been losing support like crazy in the industrial states precisely because he is not living up to his promises to fix or get out of bad trade deals

[kittyarmy]

Good. it's about the time the working stiffs gets pissed off. They keep asking for more and compensating us less. What they forget is that those on the top cannot stand without those on the bottom.

[Mike Elk - Huffpost Blogger]

couldnt have put it any better myself. And if obama gives in on the public option, he is going to see his numbers plummet because those behind him will abandon him

[LiberalBuzz]

I cannot for the life of me figure out why democrats in the Senate and the House are such cowards. They have a 60 vote majority and they STILL act as though they are the minority with the Thug party controlling everything.

Can someone PLEASE tell the democrats they WON?

[WorkingClass]

The health insurance companies MUST be destroyed. Its the people against the insurance companies in a fight to the death. Which side is president O'Bushbama on?

[codycap]

"The Blue Dogs are carrying water for the industry instead of their constituents," said Richard Kirsch, national campaign manager for Health Care for America Now, a liberal pro-reform group. "In effect, the Blue Dogs and the Republicans are taking positions that are closer all the time and further away from what most Americans want." GWB had like 51 to 49 blue dog votes nearly all the time and got everything he wanted........I know we wouldn’t have the majority without them, but what good does that do when it is a majority in name only. The only time they ever vote with the democratic agenda is when their vote is not needed (would pass anyway) or is inconsequential, i.e. naming post offices. Even though we are in majority now they will continue to vote against their party and make Obama and the rest of the democrats look weak because we can’t get anything of substance passed that is not so watered down as to be worthless. I believe we should bite the bullet and clean up the party. The Democratic Party should throw all of their money to their primary challenger if they do not fall in line.

[FrankS]

Good to hear that labor is taking a stand for a change. However, your post includes a really cringeworthy error: you say Trumka gives "a shoot across the bowel" of the corporate Democrats. The phrase you're groping for is "a shot across the bow," as when a warship fires a warning shot in front of another ship. "A shoot across the bowel" sounds like an inaccurately aimed enema.

[Freesia2]

lol You're very right. And it also occurs to me that it's a good phrase - only apply it to the GOP. Isn't that what they've been doing to America? ;-)

[Mike Elk - Huffpost Blogger]

thanks for the heads up frank, sometimes, spell check doesn't pick up on all things

[Freesia2]

I love Richard Trumka. I even contacted his office once to tell him so after that incredible speech he gave for Obama during the election. He's a straight talker and a straight thinker. He means what he says. Democrats in congress would do well to believe him.

I'm an Independent. I adore my President. I thought the Democrats were on the same page when people like me helped get him elected. I truly don't understand. Those Democrats who are waffling - what is exactly is it that they are so afraid of? A popular president, a majority, the will of the people. What's going on? I honestly don't get it.

[phlashba]

I can answer: They are AGAINST you.