Call the wahmbulance: Some trade unions to boycott DNC-2012

The Associated Press reports that about a half a dozen trade unions will be boycotting the 2012 Democrat National Convention, which will be held here in Charlotte, because they’re upset party leaders chose one of the staunchest anti-union states in the country in which to re-nominate BarryO:

WASHINGTON (AP) — About a dozen trade unions plan to sit out the 2012 Democratic convention because they’re angry that it’s being held in a right-to-work state and frustrated that Democrats haven’t done enough to create jobs.

The move could pose a larger problem for President Barack Obama next year if an increasingly dispirited base of labor activists becomes so discouraged that it doesn’t get the rank-and-file to the polls in the usual strong numbers.

The unions — all part of the AFL-CIO’s building and construction trades unit — told party officials this week they are gravely disappointed that labor was not consulted before Democrats settled on Charlotte, N.C., where there are no unionized hotels.

“We find it troubling that the party so closely associated with basic human rights would choose a state with the lowest unionization rate in the country due to regressive policies aimed at diluting the power of workers,” Mark Ayers, president of the building trades unit, wrote in a letter to Democratic Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

The decision by the building trades came after a vote by leaders of the unit’s 13 affiliate unions, including the Laborers, Painters and Electrical Workers unions. Overall, they represent about 2.5 million members.

“There is broad frustration with the party and all elected officials, broad frustration with the lack of a union agenda,” said Michael Monroe, chief of staff of the building trades division. “People are looking for outlets to express that frustration.”

LOL. Well guess what, Mr. Frustrated? Democrats don’t care – they’ll find other union workers and non-union workers who are more interested in earning a living and providing for their families than whining about some imaginary slight:

DNC spokeswoman Melanie Roussell said the organizers “look forward to working with labor leaders from across the country to make the convention a success.”

“We were thrilled to have the support of local labor leaders including the (state) AFL-CIO for Charlotte’s bid,” Roussell said.

[…]

Many of the largest and most prominent unions, including the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union, still plan to be active participants in the convention. And local labor leaders in North Carolina have praised the site choice.

But the angst goes beyond the trade unions. The International Association of Machinists, which is not part of the building trades, said it has also decided to skip the convention after participating for decades.

“This is the union that came up with the idea for Labor Day and this convention starts on Labor Day in a right-to-work state,” said IAM spokesman Rick Sloan. “We see that as an affront to working men and women across this country.”

So – instead of, um, working, these union “leaders” have chosen to effectively cut off job opportunities for their members. But guess who will still get paid during the DNC? You guessed it: The union bosses who came to this “principled” decision. Gag.

Unions and their utterly petty, petulant practices exemplify everything that is wrong with the entitlement/”gimme mine!” crowd – and just think, these same people who refuse to give up their luxurious benefit packages are the same hypocritical types who stir up the masses with talk of how “the man” is “screwing” them over. So, when it boils right down to it, these folks believe “the man” “screwing them over” is wrong, yet they see nothing wrong with unions screwing over taxpayers.

… And also see nothing wrong with sabatoging those who try to earn a living in their places, as the
Communications Workers of America and IBEW strikes demonstrate (bolded emphasis added by me):

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon managers continue to step up to provide solid service on day five of a strike by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, answering customers’ calls, performing general customer service and responding to an increasing number of incidents of sabotage.

The company’s call centers answered 91 percent of incoming calls on Wednesday, and Verizon management employees have repaired dozens of acts of sabotage to its network facilities since Aug. 6. In the face of adverse conditions, Verizon managers continue to increase their productivity while focusing on restoring customers’ service.

“Our management team is doing an outstanding job of serving customers despite some strikers’ attempts to obstruct our efforts,” said Bob Mudge, Verizon president of consumer and mass markets. “We are committed to meeting customers’ needs, and we’re hearing from many of them that we’re doing just that.”

Verizon has received dozens of calls, emails and notes online thanking the company and its employees for responding to their customer service issues. One customer, Eric from Massachusetts, wrote: “I just wanted to send a quick ‘Thank you’ to you and your teams that restored service to our neighborhood earlier today. It’s nice to see management can still do the jobs of their regular associates. Hats off for a job well done.”

Since Aug. 6, Verizon crews have encountered more than 90 acts of sabotage against network facilities. These acts temporarily affected service to thousands of customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including police stations and other emergency responders. In most of these cases, crews restored service within 24 hours.

As an example:

While wide-spread incidents of line-cutting and other forms of sabotage may be defined as ‘property damage,’ possible child endangerment and unlawful restraint or false imprisonment. Yesterday, in another example of union extremism, union militants in Pennsylvania used locks and chains to trap Verizon managers and replacement workers in a building. [View news clip here]

Verizon employees looking to make a statement while on strike used chains and locks to prevent replacement workers from leaving a company office in Dormont on Wednesday.

Local police and fire crews had to be called to remove the bolts from the facility on Pioneer Avenue.

On Wednesday, Allegheny County Judge Michael E. McCarthy issued an injunction prohibiting striking Verizon workers from blocking the entrance to any company offices or job sites. The judge enjoined CWA strikers from “picketing, other than peacefully, and by no more than six pickets spaced, at any entrance to any Verizon facilities . . . or at any worksite of any Verizon employee or contractor performing company work.”

According to Channel 4 Action News, the CWA militancy was on full display outside Verizon’s Pittsburgh headquarters on Wednesday.

…one person was wearing a shirt with the slogan “It’s About To Get Ugly” and that the sentiment was apt. Channel 4 Action News cameras were there as a Verizon worker, who was not on strike, tried to walk past the jeering crowd and into the downtown offices.

“We have had some employees who have alleged that they have been kicked, been spit on, had things thrown at them, somebody’s been elbowed,” said Verizon spokesman Lee Gierczynski.

What pathetic bullies.  Wouldn’t it be nice if Verizon could permanently replace every one of their striking workers with a non-union worker who desperately needs a job? 

These people make me sick.  I only wish that it was more than just 12 trade unions boycotting the DNC 2012 gathering.  I want these thugs to stay the hell out of my state.