Steel Workers at Coastal Concrete: A Perfect Case for EFCA

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:09:59 -0400

United Steel Workers at Coastal Concrete: A Perfect Case for the EFCA

Workers to Management: We Want a Union!

In April of 2007, workers at Coastal Concrete in Savannah voted unanimously for a union at two area plants. Top issues were low pay, lack of benefits and alleged racial discrimination in pay. According to some workers, new hires whom were white were paid more than black employees who had been with the plant for nine years, doing the same work.

Management to Workers: We Don’t Care!

So they voted for a union and got one. That’s it, right? If management had been bargaining in good faith, maybe that would have done the trick.. Instead, the bosses posted misleading anti-union literature. One handbill implied having a union could lead to plant closure, another inflated the cost of USW dues. One poster reminded workers management had no obligation to agree to a union contract, even if workers voted for one. Under current law, that’s true and in this case, that’s what happened.

“After the union came, they gave us a raise,” said one Coastal Concrete worker, who did not wish to be named. “They said they were going to do it anyway,” he added. Over the next year and a half, top union supporters were fired. Hours were cut for others, citing lack of business. There still must have been enough business to hire those new employees.

United Steel Workers (USW) represented the workers, meeting repeatedly with management to agree on a contract. After twelve meetings, in 18 months, management at Coastal Concrete were still dragging their feet. After a year without a contract, management was able to file a decertification petition.

Decertification Vote and Union Solidarity

The night before the decertification vote, USW reps met with Coastal Concrete workers to inform them to vote. “I told them, ‘Don’t vote for the Steel Workers, don’t vote for [management], vote for yourselves,” said USW Representative Richard Thomas. A few Savannah CLC members made house calls to urge employees to vote.

The morning of the vote, members of the Carpenters & Millwrights, the Letter Carriers, Machinists and Office Workers showed solidarity with the workers. Signs read, “Union Yes!,” “You’re Not Alone” and “Keep the Union.”

”We always hate to lose an election.” Thomas added. “But all is not lost. Our objective from the beginning was to enhance the interest of the workers....and we accomplished that. Also, they were exposed to the truest form of UNIONISM when 4 members of other Unions showed up with vote yes signs on the day of the de-cert. Thanks to those Brothers for touching an "old" organizers heart.”

Unfortunately, the company had gotten to the workers. The firings, anti-union meetings and lack of cooperation on management’s part seemed to have broken the workers’ spirits. Some workers, who will also not be named, reported management promises of a pay raise and a 401k in exchange for a decertification vote. This of course is illegal, so it would not be put in writing. And without a written guarantee (a contract), how long do you think it will be before the excuses come? It may sound like this: ‘Yeah…. the economy’s pretty bad and all, uhhh…. things are pretty slow. We’re gonna have to let you go…’ And when the workers realize they were duped? Labor law states workers cannot campaign for a union for at least one year after a decertification vote. So it goes.

So you heard the speech: Ready to demand single payer yet?

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:09:41 -0400

I'll get right to it -- HR 3200, or "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009," is not reform or change I can believe in.

Many anticipated the President's address the other night. Many were waiting for a clear definition and/or endorsement of the mysterious 'public option.' I pretty much got what I expected. I was amused that the "Republican Response" came from Rep. Charles Boustany, (LA), firmly in the pocket of the 'health' industry.
http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com/2009/09/boustany-to-deliver-republican-response.html

In case that idiot from South Carolina distracted your critical ear to the speech, here is a link with the text of the President's speech last night.

http://ushealthcrisis.com/2009/09/text-of-president-obamas-speech/

Mr. Obama's quotes are in italics.

"...an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange. Let me be clear – it would only be an option for those who don’t have insurance. No one would be forced to choose it, and it would not impact those of you who already have insurance. In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than 5% of Americans would sign up."

That is at most, in the neighborhood of 10 - 15 million people. Keep in mind, this is not universal health care, even for these people. And Obama informs the rest of us: "under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance – just as most states require you to carry auto insurance."

At the end of his speech, President Obama touched on a public option again:

"It’s worth noting that a strong majority of Americans still favor a public insurance option of the sort I’ve proposed tonight. But its impact shouldn’t be exaggerated – by the left, the right, or the media. It is only one part of my plan, and should not be used as a handy excuse for the usual Washington ideological battles. To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage affordable for those without it. The public option is only a means to that end – and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal. And to my Republican friends, I say that rather than making wild claims about a government takeover of health care, we should work together to address any legitimate concerns you may have.

For example, some have suggested that that the public option go into effect only in those markets where insurance companies are not providing affordable policies. Others propose a co-op or another non-profit entity to administer the plan. These are all constructive ideas worth exploring. But I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can’t find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice. And I will make sure that no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the care that you need."

emphasis added.

Obama Backs Off Public Option
"The public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform. This is just one sliver of it. One aspect of it," he said in a town hall meeting.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gTr5O4fuwyG7ZK-ASPrSb_A4YvAw

And the Democrats are the ones that blocked price caps and even price negotiations on prescription drugs.

Democrats Say No to Cost Cap for Drug Makers

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/health/policy/07lobby.html

“You Do Not Cut Deals with the System that Has to Be Replaced”: Ralph Nader on Secret White House Agreements with the Drug Industry
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/8/14/you_dont_cut_deals_with_the

Finally, for those that missed these videos:

Obama's latest backpedaling should come as no surprise. If you think his 'public option' changes are something, check out his single payer evolution.

Here's Obama in 2003 telling union members he believed in a single payer system. We just need to take back the senate and white house, he said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpAya...

Here he is denying what he said in that exact clip, saying it was somehow taken "out of context" Unfortunately, Joe Wilson's remarks would not have been out of order here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDAPL...

And finally, here is Obama saying last month that the only way to cover all Americans is through a single payer system:
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/2...

It's important to see things as they are, not as we wish them to be. I truly wish the Obama of today was the same Obama in the first video above. I don't have time for "I support single payer, but I'll settle for whatever piece of junk the President comes up with. But if its too big a piece of junk, I'll tell him no!" Nothing personal, but count me out.

But if anyone sees the bill for what it is -- and more importantly for what it is not, and believes in universal healthcare: let's make "Everybody In, Nobody Out" happen in our lifetime!

HR 676 in the House

S. 703 in the Senate

United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request.

MW Louie's Open Salon Blog

Steel Workers at Coastal Concrete: A Perfect Case for EFCA

So you heard the speech: Ready to demand single payer yet?

Democrats Say No to Cost Cap for Drug Makers

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/07/health/policy/07lobby.html