I remember not having many health care issues. Mostly, my mother gives us an annual check-up and we basically needed glasses and had cavities from eating too many sweets. How did she pay for it, I cannot answer. I wasn’t sickly or need medical attention as a child. Fast forwarding to when I was married, my medical expenses and needs were covered by my ex-husband insurance, 1199 National Union. When I had children, I had governmental coverage but after my children became 18, I lost all benefits. Currently, I have health coverage through my work but when I go to the doctor, the bill is more then my co-payments reaching 1,000's of dollars. What is a person to do? I do not have a pre-existing condition but I am afraid if I do, how will I be able to pay the medical expenses
This piece is a profile about the teachers' unions, their contracts that work against rewarding teachers. I would love comments for follow up piece.
http://www.examiner.com/x-5067-LA-School-District-Examiner~y2009m3d20-Unions-help-keep-bad-teachers-employed
AP – Mark Madden, a General Motors Corvette assembly plant worker, hangs a door on a Corvette Friday
DETROIT – Festering animosity between the United Auto Workers and Southern senators who torpedoed the auto industry bailout bill erupted into full-fledged name calling Friday as union officials accused the lawmakers of trying to break the union on behalf of foreign automakers.
The vitriol had been near the surface for weeks as senators from states that house the transplant automakers' factories criticized the Detroit Three for management miscues and bloated UAW labor costs that lawmakers said make them uncompetitive.
But the UAW stopped biting its tongue after Republicans sank a House-passed bill Thursday night that would have loaned $14 billion to cash-poor General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC to keep them out of bankruptcy protection. The Bush administration later stepped in and said it was ready to make money available to the automakers, likely from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout program.
Still, autoworkers remain angry with the senators who tried to negotiate wage and benefit concessions from the union, then scuttled the House-passed bill that would have granted the loans and set up a "car czar" to oversee the nearly insolvent companies and get concessions from the union and creditors. Their top targets were Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who led negotiations on a compromise; and Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., who has been a vocal critic of the loans.
Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama all house auto assembly plants from foreign automakers, and union officials contend the senators want to drive UAW wages down so there would be no reason for workers at the foreign plants to join the union.
"They thought perhaps they could have a twofer here maybe: Pierce the heart of organized labor while representing the foreign brands," UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said at a Friday morning news conference in Detroit.
Republicans in several Western states — where unions are often shunned — joined the Southerners in opposition.
But lawmakers and their spokesmen said the criticism is off base. Jonathan Graffeo, Shelby's spokesman on the Senate Banking Committee, said the senator has consistently opposed taxpayer-funded bailouts.
"He opposed the Chrysler bailout in 1979 when there were no foreign auto manufacturers in Alabama, and he opposed the recent $700 billion bailout of the banking industry," Graffeo said.
"Bailouts generally don't work, and this is a huge proposed bailout, and I fear it's just the down payment on more to come next year," Shelby said on the Senate floor Thursday night. "These companies are either already failed or failing, and that's a shame. These aren't the General Motors, Ford and Chrysler I knew."
Corker said the alternative he tried to develop would have provided federal money in exchange for restructuring the companies' debt and making the UAW more competitive in wages with workers at U.S. plants of Japanese competitors.
"Our members wanted to know that the UAW was willing to be competitive," Corker said.
"I basically pleaded with them to give me some language by some date certain that they were competitive with these other companies," Corker said. "That's where it broke down."
Hourly wages for UAW workers at GM factories already are about equal to those paid by Toyota Motor Corp. at its older U.S. factories, according to the companies. GM says the average UAW laborer makes $29.78 per hour, while Toyota — generally viewed as the main competitor of the Detroit Three — says it pays about $30 per hour. But the unionized factories have far higher benefit costs.
The union, GM and Chrysler have contended that the companies have restructured and the UAW has granted concessions that would make them competitive in 2010, but the economy went south this year and forced them into trouble. A third Detroit automaker, Ford Motor Co., asked for loans in case of emergency but says it has enough cash to make it through 2009.
Union officials also accused the senators of retaliating for the UAW's overwhelming support of Democratic candidates in federal races. The union gave $1.9 million to Democrats but only $11,500 to Republicans in the 2008 election cycle.
Many Democrats support the Employee Free Choice Act, which would take away employers' rights to demand a secret ballot on whether workers will join a union. Instead, workers could form unions by getting a majority of employees to sign a card in support of it.
"There's a lot at stake. If Republicans think now they can tarnish labor, it's going to be difficult to pass the Employee Free Choice Act," said Gary Chaison, professor of labor relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass. "The unions are going to say that a strong labor movement is good for America. One of the things Republicans are trying to show now is that a strong labor movement isn't good for America."
Other union officials joined Gettelfinger to form a chorus of anger and frustration with the senators.
"What this is is the Southern conservative senators trying to destroy the United Auto Workers, trying to destroy unions," said Mike O'Rourke, president of a UAW local at a GM factory in Spring Hill, Tenn., Corker's home state. "It's a sad day in America when the senators turn their back on Main Street."
In an effort to help the auto companies get federal aid, the UAW last week offered to delay company payments into a union-run trust fund that will take over retiree health care costs starting in 2010. It also agreed to end the controversial "jobs bank" program in which laid-off workers get most of their pay and benefits after unemployment pay runs out.
Most Southern U.S. auto plants run by Toyota, Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., BMW AG, Daimler AG and other manufacturers are nonunion. The UAW has tried numerous times without success to organize workers at the foreign-owned factories.
Spokesmen for Toyota and Nissan declined comment, but Honda spokesman Ed Miller said in a statement the company did not lobby against the bill.
"Honda has been encouraging initiatives that would maintain the short- and long-term viability of the U.S. auto industry, including the hundreds of the shared supplier companies in the United States," he said.
As the Detroit Three have declined and ceded market share to the foreign nameplates, the UAW's membership has plummeted 69 percent, from a peak 1.5 million in 1979 to 465,000 at the end of 2007.
___
Associated Press Writer Ken Thomas in Washington and AP Business Writer Ellen Simon in New York contributed to this report.
[I have a solution to the problem.
I propose auto companies hire independent skilled contractors. Independant doesnt mean less wage and benefits, it means both sides are in a win win situation. Neither side is taking advantage of the other. I say that because clearly if the company hires independant, it is the company and the individual who will negotiate set wage and benefits. Independent means the skilled worker will be his/her own boss and no longer be in debt to the union (who really does nothing for the employee, but advance itself, politically)
Is there a union for independent contractors? Yes there is. But here the union does not force the company to pay higher wage and benefits, or else. The union is only there to assure independent contractor is paid equal to his production, and to assure the auto company is obeying independent contractor worker rights.
Independent wage will be based on piece work with a (fair) percentage per car sold. Depending on what his skilled trade is.
If the contractor is a highly motivated then the contractor will earn a wage equal to his work. And not be paid regardless if he works or not. Time is money people. And if it is money that individual workers are after then they have to earn it, just like the company who employes them, does.
I think unions have contributed to the destruction of our economy. I say that because unions demand auto companies pay union workers more money then non union workers. What is with this demand? Union workers are not more skilled then those who are non union! It's bullshit for the union to assume its workers are more valuable then non union workers are.
Really, I believe non union workers are discriminated against by unions. How is paying "dues" automatically qualify one employee more important/valuable then the other employee who has the same skill? Paying dues is a ticket to discriminate other workers who are not apart of the union.
Independent contractor status does away with; "I am more important then you" union status, and replaces it with; "all skilled workers are valuable, regardless of affiliation."]
Kade
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Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
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..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
Birdalone suggested a few days ago in a comment that I should read the Federalist Papers. Never having heard if them, I decided to take her advice and although I only have read a few of the 85, rather lengthy and involved documents so far, what struck me the most is the extraordinary evolution of this strange nation of yours.
In Sweden we can trace our constitution back to the 14th century, although at that time it was the autocratic King who decided what was best for Sweden. Over the centuries it evolved into what we have today, with the latest version written in 1974. It has slowly eroded the powers of the royal family to provide safety and sanctuary for all law-abiding citizens.
In the United States of America though, there are actual founding fathers, a few mere mortals who, during a remarkably short time span, were given the privilege and burden of creating the political and administrative foundation of an entire nation, a nation that would eventually become more powerful than all others. If they had known what was to come, would they have been so confident in their views, so sure of their ideas? Perhaps best they didn’t know.
These men were able to take the best ideas from Europe, learn from the mistakes of our shared human history and incorporate the most noble of intentions into this fundamental building block of the United States. In no other nation on earth has that been possible. The rest of us are so intertwined in our thousands of years of history, too tangled up in each other, ravished by horrible deeds of old and locked in the mindset of ancient cultures. The United States started with a clean slate (more or less) and with the blatant intention of outshining us all.
If I believed in a God that intervened in the details of human affairs I might think the United States was his way of attempting to rectify past mistakes. But apparently even such a God is forced to yield to the powers and limitations of the laws of physics.
To achieve equilibrium, which is presumably the goal of all matter in the Universe, one has to have constant and stable interaction between opposites. For example; the negatively charged electron needs the mass of the positively charged proton to be kept in check. The proton in turn, is energized by the continuous motion of the electron. In this manner they feed off each other, keeping each other stable to form the building block of all known matter. The ultimate paradox is that when, or if, total equilibrium is in fact achieved the very existence of matter may, theoretically seize, since the instability of motion itself is one of the cornerstones of all matter. Without the motion of electrons atoms would not exist. Without the motion of quarks, protons would not exist. As Einstein put it; energy is mass in constant motion (E=mc2) and without energy, no life.
In human society the individual’s needs and desires are kept in check by the rigid mass of the collective. In turn, it is the individual that gives the collective energy to exist. This interaction is what creates stable nations. In Sweden, as in most of the world beyond America, we essentially began as a fairly rigid collective with little energy produced by individuals. Our country essentially consisted of a King, a few noblemen and the invisible masses beneath them. In the United States the opposite occurred, as the brave and industrious individual is what forged the nation. But even as we come from opposite sides of the spectrum, the same problem still arises; how to create necessary equilibrium without sacrificing the motion that is essential for existence?
WI: Joe "the Plumber" Vicena, UA Local 75http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRIPWxdssDoIN: Indiana's Own "Joe the Plumber"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcmVLcrP7zgVA: Joe the Plumber in Virginiahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBR1bBr4OCMCO: "Joe the Plumber" for Obama in Colorado!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xji6B_RW4lo
I read this on the AFL-CIO web site and was NOT all that shocked. But it is essential that we spread the word about McCain's opposition to The Employee Freedom of Choice Act. So tell ANYONE who will listen, spread the word and make your voice heard! This will not stand! Please take some time and visit the Official AFL-CIO Web Site and become an INFORMED VOTER! http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_wrights.cfm
McCain Says Government Workers Are ‘Crippled’ by Union Contracts. In his speech to the Oklahoma state legislature, McCain said, “We must streamline our workforce, demand high standards of behavior, promote excellence at every level based on merit and accountability, and not let good workers be crippled by the fine print of the latest union contract…. The civil service has strayed from its reformist roots and has mutated into a no-accountability zone, where employment is treated as an entitlement, good performance as an option, and accountability as someone else’s problem.” (Address to the Oklahoma state legislature, 5/21/07)
McCain Crossed a Writers Guild Picket Line to Appear on ‘The Tonight Show.’ McCain crossed the picket line of the Writers Guild of America to appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” (Think Progress, accessed 2/27/08)
McCain Voted to Allow Employers to Hire Permanent Replacements During a Strike. McCain voted against ending debate on a bill that would bar employers from hiring permanent replacements for striking workers. (S. 55, Vote 189, 7/13/94)
Against Giving Firefighters and Police a Voice on the Job. Firefighters and police risk their lives every day to protect the public, yet McCain voted to deny them the right to discuss workplace issues with their employer in 2001 and skipped a vote on the issue in 2008. (H.R. 3061, Vote 323, 11/6/01; S. 2123, 10/1/07; H.R. 980, Vote 126, 5/13/08)McCain Voted Against Collective Bargaining Rights for TSA Screeners. McCain voted against a measure to grant Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screeners limited collective bargaining rights. The measure would not have allowed them to strike or negotiate for higher pay. (S. 4, Vote 64, 3/7/07)
McCain Has a 17 Percent Lifetime AFL-CIO Rating. (AFL-CIO McCain Congressional Scorecard)
Paid for by the AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education (COPE) Political Contributions Committee, www.aflcio.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
I have asked the President of the Teamsters, NPR Radio and personaldemocracy.com to announce this "Call to Drive" for Barack Obama. Please send this to anyone who can get the word out.
We know the pain and power of the unions. Gas and the overall economy have created a disaster in America. I am calling on the Teamsters' who have had enough of the pain, to show their power.
Any truckers' in the Washington DC area on September 30, 2008, place an Obama sign on your truck and drive by the Whitehouse. Let them know, Barack Obama is coming! Please show your support.
Solidarity Party for Obama & Biden -- Labor Movement Stands For Change
Please join labor and other activists in supporting Barack Obama by attending a major celebration and fundraiser at Club MCCXXIII (Club 1223) on Thursday, October 2.
Featured Special LIVE Musical Guests: The U-Liners (2007 WAMA winners)
Sign up to attend the party and make your contribution online:
Go to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpl9gq
It's time for each of us to make this happen.
Join Us! Thursday, October 2 -- 5–8 p.m.
MCCXXII
1223 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Labor Movement Stands For Change Solidarity Party for Obama & Biden
Obama and Biden Fund Raiser Host Committee (Preliminary List):
Jay Witter, UAN ¨ Myke Reid, APWU ¨ David & Marianne Kolbe, Iron Workers ¨ Paul Lemmon, AFL-CIO ¨ Tahir Duckett, Working America ¨ Mike Podorzer AFL-CIO ¨ Karen Head, ATU ¨ Tina Lax, CTW ¨ Diane Ebenreiter, AFL-CIO ¨ Bernie Pollack, AFL-CIO ¨ Ed Feigen, AFL-CIO ¨ Ben Waxman, AFL-CIO ¨ Scott Reynolds, AFL-CIO ¨ Michael Nguyen, AFL-CIO ¨ Laura Reznick, AFL-CIO ¨ Taren Stinebrickner, AFL-CIO ¨ Michael Ingrao, TTD ¨ Gordon Pavy, AFL-CIO ¨ Glenn Adler, AFL-CIO ¨ Beth Levie, AFL-CIO ¨ Steve Francy, RN’s Working Together ¨ Marc Laitin, AFL-CIO ¨ Steve Wilhite, AFL-CIO ¨ Lauren Miller, Blue State Digital ¨ Heather Booth ¨ Roger Blacklow, NPMHU, ¨ Fred Ascarate, AFL-CIO) ¨ Bridgett Martin, IBB ¨ Eddie Acosta, AFL-CIO ¨ Nikki Budzinski, UFCW ¨ Chuck Rocha, USW ¨ David Carpio, AFL-CIO ¨ Keith Maddox, AFL-CIO ¨ David Jeffers, Indelium ¨ Bob Nicklas, AFGE ¨ Dan Pedrotty, AFL-CIO ¨ Denise Mitchell, AFL-CIO ¨ Bill Mountjoy, AFL-CIO ¨ Robert Fox, AFL-CIO ¨ Nick Unger, AFL-CIO ¨ Carolyn Jacobson, CLUW ¨ Seth Hahn, NALC ¨ Dave Hickey, LIUNA ¨ Roger Tauss, TWU ¨ Kim Fellner, Working America ¨ Seth Michaels, AFL-CIO ¨ Christine Kennegot, AFL-CIO ¨ Malcom Amado Uno, APALA ¨ Brad Burton, CNA ¨ Sherilyn Wright, IBEW ¨ Jeremy Bishop, PAW ¨ * Organizational listings for identification purposes only.
