May 20, 2013

SEIU’s demands endanger our elderly in nursing homes

This is absolutely appalling. Big Labor goes on strike, demands their jobs back and endangers our elderly.

Problems arose in Connecticut last year when members of SEIU working for Heathbridge Management attempted to negotiate a new contract with SEIU, where their members worked at five of their nursing homes. The workers demanded the company contribute more to their pension programs and also wanted free healthcare for their families. The company said if they did so it might force them out of business. After a copious number of failed negotiations the workers went on strike July 3, 2012.

But never doubt that Big Labor can sink to new lows as they took “reprehensible” to a new level.

Union members wreaked havoc as they left. Some reportedly scrambled or removed the identification of elderly residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s, even though patients could have died from receiving the wrong drugs, food, or medical procedures. Reports to the Connecticut Department of Health indicate that someone had tampered with mechanical lifts by dismantling and hiding a critical structural component. Elderly patients could easily have fallen off the lifts to their death.

The threats are ongoing and the SEIU’s Big Boys? Of course they think it’s only fair that every worker be rehired.

Despite union members’ reprehensible behavior, the SEIU went to bat for its workers. The union took the case to the National Labor Relations Board, which then sought to force Healthbridge to rehire all 600 striking SEIU members regardless of their behavior.

In spite of the protests of anyone who knows about the situation, a judge ruled in favor of the unions. And even further, a stay was given earlier this week, but the stakes are higher than ever:

Regardless, on December 11, Judge Robert Chatigny ruled in favor of the unions, ignoring the plight of the defenseless elderly and the new hires. Healthbridge is appealing the decision and was granted a temporary stay on December 17, but if it loses, it will have to fire all 600 replacement workers to make room for the SEIU walk-outs. Meanwhile, many residents and their families say the new workers are far superior to the old, unionized ones.

Investigative reporter Zach Janowski of the Yankee Institute summarized the appalling attitude of many of the workers:

We want something from this company, and these elderly people are less important than the things we want. Therefore, we’re going to put people in danger for the sake of trying to get more money and benefits.

If Big Labor gets its way, Heathbridge will have to fire its replacement workers, whom family members say are much better quality, and rehire the SEIU workers.

And all of this is just the tip of the iceberg. The stakes are high for these patients, and such callous acts are hardly a rarity for striking union workers. With Big Labor’s cries of desperation coming out of Michigan, now is the perfect time to shine light on their true nature.

Crossposted at Unified Patriots

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Tea Party strikes back against union Romney/Ryan sign thieves

In the wee morning hours of November 2, four men in a truck owned by Sheet Metal Workers International, Union Local 33 were arrested in Perrysburg, Ohio which is just over the Maumee River from Toledo. Filled to the brim in the truck were stolen Romney/Ryan signs.

The North West Ohio Conservation Coalition (NWOCC), a group of Tea Parties and Liberty Groups of which I am a proud member, started seeing their Romney/Ryan signs disappear in Perrysburg and parts of Toledo. John McAvoy, President of the group reported:

This morning 4 men driving a pickup truck registered to the Sheet Metal Union, Local 33 were arrested and charged with receiving stolen property – in the form of a bed full of Romney/Ryan yard signs, some measuring as large as 4?x8?. Also in the truck were tools such as drills, which were possibly used to take the large signs down. The signs were allegedly removed from several private property and business locations across Lucas and Wood County.

Arrested were Corey Beaubian, Christopher Monaghan, Sean Bresler and John Russell.

So how does the Tea Party respond to their Romney/Ryan signs being stolen in the dead of night? Why, passing out replacement Romney/Ryan signs in the light of day right across the street from the “den of thieves’” union hall of course.

Since the union hall is in Rossford, Ohio just a few miles from me and where the miscreants were arrested, I went to assist with the new sign handout. And here is the sight I was greeted by:

What a beautiful site! You can see the union hall across the street in the upper right hand corner. Since that is private property we were told to pass out signs across the street, and many we did. Many who didn’t stop tooted their horns in support, even the police made a few passes and tooted at us as well. Below is a short video I took of the scene:

Since this made the national news and the major blogs it appears the union’s little plan backfired big time.

And who says the Tea Party is “dead”?

Crossposted at Unified Patriots and Grumpy Elder

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Obama’s war on fossil fuels hitting home to Dems & unions

Joe ManchinYea Sen. Manchin, you better look pensive because you and your state of West Virginia are in big-time trouble because of Obama’s failed policies on coal and other fossil fuels which are costing your state jobs, revenue and YOUR votes.

We know that the Obama administration’s all-out assault on the coal industry has made enemies of energy producers, consumers, businesses, construction workers, utility workers, miners, and anyone who flips a light switch.

As election time draws nearer and the President shows no sign of reigning in his runaway EPA, we may be able to add unions and Democrats from coal-powered states to that laundry list.

Human Events reports:

With United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts likening EPA head Lisa Jackson’s treatment of the coal industry to the Navy Seals taking out Osama bin Laden and hinting the UMW may not endorse President Obama for re-election, it is considered certain that West Virginia’s five electoral votes will be in the Republican column this fall.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) went a step farther, publicly stating that he may not vote for his party’s incumbent president:

“I’ll look at the options,” Manchin said this week. The last three years “have made it pretty rough” for his state, he said…

“Manchin said his own vote will depend on how his constituents view the contest.

“The people in West Virginia, they basically look at the candidates—whatever you’re running for, whether it be the president itself, or whatever—[they look at] the performance and the result that’s been attained,” Manchin said when asked how he will vote. “Right now in West Virginia, these first three and a half years haven’t been that good to West Virginia. So, then you look [at] what the options will be, who will be on the other end.”

With the Obama EPA showing no sign of stopping its quest to ransack the coal industry, and the recent revelation of the agency’s “philosophy” of “crucifying” energy producers that don’t fall in line, its looking like the pro-business community may have some diverse allies in the legislative battle against the EPA’s new cap-and-tax rule that looms ahead (more details to come on that).

FYI no word from the other Dem senator from WVA, Jay Rockefeller. Could be because unlike Manchin he ain’t up for re-elect.

Crossposted at Unified Patriots

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Biden & Obama seem to be only able to speak at union events

Vice President Biden is back in Ohio today campaigning in a state that has dramatically changed since 2008.  From sweeping Republican victories in 2010 to Ohioans overwhelmingly rejecting Obama’s health care overreach in 2011, President Obama is in trouble in Ohio and the White House knows it.Before you read the article below, this is a response from the RNC by spokesman Ryan Mahoney:

“With broken promises mounting and food and gas prices soaring, President Obama and Vice President Biden know they’re in trouble in Ohio and that’s why they continue to hide behind friendly union audiences.  Another Biden campaign speech won’t change the fact that Obama’s signature piece of legislation was resoundingly rejected in every Ohio county or that Ohioans remain worse off than they were when Barack Obama took office.   The fact remains, Ohioans are feeling the pain of President Obama and Vice President Biden’s polices, while special interests and campaign donors seem to be the only ones better off than they were four years ago.” – RNC spokesman Ryan Mahoney

The Only Audience Obama-Biden Can Speak In Front Of?

Biden’s Speech In Toledo Marks The Fourth Event With The Pro-Obama Union In The Past Month

On Thursday, Biden Spoke Before Local UAW Members In Toledo. “Biden discussed the auto industry’s recovery Thursday during a campaign stop in Toledo. Biden scheduled a morning rally at the United Auto Workers Local 12 hall near downtown, said Steve Fought, spokesman for U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur.” (Henry J. Gomez, “Vice President Joe Biden Expected To Hold Campaign Rally Thursday At UAW Hall In Toledo,” The Plain Dealer, 3/12/12)

On February 15, Obama Visited A Master Lock Plant In Wisconsin. “President Obama used a stop at a manufacturing factory in Milwaukee on Wednesday to highlight his plan to boost manufacturing jobs in the United States, a priority for his administration in an election year when the economy has been the most pressing issue. Obama took a brief tour of Master Lock, a padlock manufacturing company that the president praised during his State of the Union address last month for bringing 100 jobs back from China as that country’s labor costs rise. As part of his 2013 budget request, the president has proposed new tax breaks for companies that return jobs from overseas.” (David Nakamura, “Obama Visits Milwaukee To Boost Jobs Agenda In Key Swing State,” The Washington Post, 2/15/12)

  • UAW Members Are “The Core Of Master Lock” Staff. “Obama had no problem in front of this boisterous crowd of about 800 stacked with elected officials, residents of one of American’s hardest hit communities and the hundreds of cheering workers from UAW Local 469, the core of Master Lock.” (Dominique Paul Noth, “Obama Puts Master Lock Jobs First As Political Storm Evaporates,” Milwaukee Area Labor Council, 2/16/12)
  • Obama: “You heard from your local UAW representative, John Drew and I got a great tour from the president of UAW Local 469, Mike Bink.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At MasterLock , Milwaukee, WI, 2/15/12)

On February 28, Obama Spoke Before The United Auto Workers Convention. (President Barack Obama, Remarks at United Auto Workers Convention, 2/28/12)

  • Obama Spoke Before The UAW Convention To “Remind” Members “That He Helped Save The Auto Industry With A Controversial Bailout.” “President Obama channeled his 2008 campaign persona on Tuesday, using an energetic speech before the United Auto Workers conference to remind Michigan on primary day that he helped save the auto industry with a controversial bailout even as Mitt Romney was calling for the leading car companies to seek bankruptcy.” (Helene Cooper, “Obama Revs Up Oratory, Reminding Autoworkers Of Bailout,” The New York Times, 2/28/12)
  • When Asked If Obama’s Speech To The UAW Was A Campaign Speech, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney Said “Not At All.” CARNEY: “Not at all.  The President was speaking to American workers, which he certainly enjoys doing.  He was speaking to them about several things, principally the resurrection of the American automobile industry, which is a subject that has been a focus of his attention since he took office when he made some very difficult decisions to ensure that General Motors and Chrysler would restructure themselves, make themselves more efficient; that unions and management would make very tough decisions, and in return for taxpayer support — would do that in return for taxpayer support.  Those decisions saved a million jobs in this country.” (White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, White House Press Briefing, 2/28/12)
  • During Obama’s Speech To The UAW Convention, Union Members Broke Out In Chants Of “Four More Years.” “‘I got to sit in a Chevy Volt, even though Secret Service wouldn’t let me drive it,’ Mr. Obama said, to cheers. ‘I enjoyed sitting in it. And four or five years from now, when I’m not president no more and I can drive myself, I’m going to buy one.’ For that, he got a chant of ‘Four more years!’” (Helene Cooper, “Obama Revs Up Oratory, Reminding Autoworkers Of Bailout,” The New York Times, 2/28/12)

On March 7, Obama Spoke At a Truck Plant Before Local UAW Members. “[P]resident Obama visited a truck plant where he was greeted by UAW members who let their union membership be known.” (Jennifer Epstein, “Obama Gets North Carolina Labor Love,” Politico’s 44, 3/7/12)

·         UAW Members At The North Carolina Daimler Plant Greeted Obama With More Shouts Of “Four More Years.” “For all the talk that labor is disappointed in Obama, Smith nevertheless included a shoutout to the local UAW — many who chanted “four more years” at one point during the speech.” (Jennifer Epstein, “Obama Gets North Carolina Labor Love,” Politico’s 44, 3/7/12)

Author’s note: Biden also visited a Chrysler Plant in Toledo this day, tying up traffic and creating havoc all over town for hours. Yes, I was included in this mess. I wonder how much this cost taxpayers in the community.

You can follow Joe Biden on twit. He is @vp.

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Shafted: even unions upset over Obama’s war on coal

Let’s check back in with Obama’s War on Coal.  The EPA has enjoyed a brief holiday from the headlines as the President paid lip service to an “all of the above” energy policy in his State of the Union address, but as the 2012 election heats up, the Obama EPA’s job-killing rules and regs are increasingly cropping up on the campaign trail.

coal-graphic_s393x400

From the Washington Times:

As gasoline prices continue to rise and keep the heat on President Obama’s energy policies, critics also are accusing the president of shifting support away from the coal industry, a major source of fuel and jobs in several battleground states, including Colorado, Michigan and Ohio. Lawmakers on both sides of the partisan aisle say Obama administration environmental regulations aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions are poised to hit jobs and consumers harder than the Keystone XL decision at the same time the president seems to have abandoned his stated support for the coal industry and clean-coal technology.

Support for a robust and responsible coal industry isn’t just coming from those terrible, environment-hating Republicans.  Major labor unions, which form a huge portion of Obama’s base, have united to petition the President and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, issuing a group letter stating the following:

We are writing to express our support for the “all of the above” energy policy you are advancing, and to request that you expressly include advanced coal technologies as part of your emerging policy framework. We also are writing to convey our concerns about potential widespread job losses under U.S. EPA’s final Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (“MATS”) rule, and to request your support in ensuring that this rule provides for the construction of new, state-of-the-art coal generating capacity.

Preliminary results of surveys of electric generators subject to the MATS rule indicate plans to retire substantially more electric generating capacity than the 4,700 megawatt estimate in EPA’s final rule. The PJM Interconnection, for example, reports planed retirements of 14,000 megawatts by 2015, and a total of 18,000 megawatts by 2018. PJM represents approximately one-quarter of U.S. coal generation in a region spanning from New Jersey to Illinois. When all of the regional transmission organizations and related entities have completed their compliance surveys, total coal unit retirements easily could be ten times greater than EPA’s estimates.

What’s easy to forget as this debate takes place in Washington, D.C., is that the forced closure of coal plants impacts real people in real towns across American; often in areas that are already struggling from a loss of manufacturing jobs and rely heavily on the jobs created by coal plants for economic survival.  The Wall Street Journal profiled one such town this week:

Shutting the Homer City Generating Station would be an economic blow to Indiana County, but it would be devastating to tiny Homer City, say residents.

Jim Barker, executive vice president of Rosebud Mining Co. in Kittanning, Pa., said about 250 coal mining jobs near Homer City depend on the plant. “It’s good news that they’re working to put scrubbers on,” he said.

Work related to the retrofit is expected to create 600 jobs, including for iron workers and other skilled trades, as well as boosting business for hotels, restaurants and other service employers, said Dana Henry, president of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Of course, even when a plant like the Homer city generating station is actively working to comply with stringent EPA standards, it still faces attacks from the Sierra Club:

[T]he environmental group’s organizers have been meeting recently with Homer City area residents to build opposition to the plant, even with planned retrofits.

Related articles: EPA announces the *big one* meant to bankrupt coal.

Bloomberg donates $50M to the Sierra Club to *dump coal.*

Crossposted at Unified Patriots

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