.: The need for anti-scab legislation

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The need for anti-scab legislation

This is from a discussion taking place on FaceBook:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/27907478429/?id=10150307690548430&notif_t=group_activity

Minnesota 7th Congressional District Democrats (DFL CD Seven)

Alan Maki
Given the lockout of the 1,300 workers at American Crystal Sugar which is now operating with scabs; has there been any discussion in the DFL about introducing anti-scab legislation here in Minnesota and in Congress? Perhaps Collin Peterson could be asked to introduce this kind of legislation in Congress and Leroy Stumpf could be asked to introduce anti-scab legislation in the Minnesota State Legislature. What does everyone think about this?

· · · about an hour ago

- Sandy Tracy The larger issue here is really the anti-union movement that is clearly in motion around the country.
  
  about an hour ago ·
- Alan Maki There is definitely "the larger issue" but my suggestion is that DFL politicians should do their part in helping labor take on this "larger issue" by getting specific concerning this local problem. What do you think about anti-scab legislation?
  
  about an hour ago ·
- Sandy Tracy How does labor feel about this approach?
  
  about an hour ago ·
- Alan Maki What "labor?" I see all kinds of people involved in labor here on this page; I gave my view. I would like to hear any reasons for opposing this. How do you feel about anti-scab legislation, Stacy? Labor "leaders" led their members into this lockout trap. I don't understand why workers didn't take management's "final offer" if they weren't going to take over and occupy the plants.
  
  But, now that all these scabs are being brought in this creates a social problem for us all; for our society.
  
  Does anyone want to see the kind of violence that is going to erupt once workers start losing their homes, marriages breaking up, people not being able to put food on the table?
  
  Employers always have the upper hand when it comes to labor-management disputes; these managements shouldn't be allowed to lockout workers by dictating a "final offer" and then bring in scabs to do their jobs.
  
  Obama says he is for "collective bargaining."
  
  Locking out workers is not part of the "collective bargaining" process. Bringing in scabs is not part of the "collective bargaining" process.
  
  Maybe we should find out which side the 7th Congressional District Democrats are on in this lockout? Who supports the "right" of management to lockout these workers?
  
  Who supports the "right" of American Crystal Sugar to bring in scabs?
  
  Who is for anti-scabbing legislation?
  
  Who is opposed to anti-scabbing legislation?
  
  I think we have the right to know where each of the elected officials from the 7th Congressional District stand on this issue no matter if they are elected to township boards, city councils, county boards, state and federal house or senate and Barack Obama himself.
  
  I think it was a disgrace that on Labor Day with the largest lockout of workers underway Barack Obama talked about how he supported "collective bargaining" rights but he didn't utter one single word of admonishment to American Crystal Sugar management from the podium in Detroit.
  
  More and more this is becoming a trend with employers in this country to lockout workers and bring in scabs as a way to get around the collective bargaining process. Certainly any Party with the word "Labor" in its name should be willing to take a stand in defense of workers being subjected to an employer lockout in its own back-yard.
  
  Certainly the stench of scabs in our communities is every bit as offensive as pig and cow manure is it not?
  
  Since there are all kinds of calls to support these locked-out workers from the workers themselves, I assume the American Crystal Sugar workers, along with the entire labor movement which is not monolithic in thinking, would welcome anti-scab legislation being introduced by the DFL at the state and federal levels.
  
  Let's get the ideas and opinions on anti-scab legislation out here for discussion now that we have 1,300 locked-out workers. This is the time to talk about this.
  - Sandy Tracy As a former labor member, the practice of hiring scabs to replace union workers has been in place for years. At this point in time, I don't believe anti-scab legislation would go anywhere.
    
    59 minutes ago ·
  - Alan Maki Sandy; do you see 7th Congressional District Democrats playing any role at all in this lockout? If so, what?
    
    54 minutes ago ·
  - Sandy Tracy I can't answer that question for you.
    
    51 minutes ago ·
  - Alan Maki Ok, I thought you lived in the 7th Congressional District.
    
    39 minutes ago ·
  - Sandy Tracy I do live in CD7.
    
    36 minutes ago ·
  - Alan Maki So, don't you have a position on this lockout? These are workers, many of whom live and/or work in the 7th Congressional District.
    
    I have noticed there is no shyness when it comes to asking these workers and their families for campaign contributions and votes for DFL candidates. Don't these workers have a right to expect that the Party and politicians they support should now support them?
    
    31 minutes ago ·
  - Sandy Tracy I am aware of the situation, but I don't have all the facts. I hear your pain and frustration, however.
    
    29 minutes ago ·
  - Sandy Tracy I supported the workers in several Facebook actions.
    
    18 minutes ago · · 1 person
  - Alan Maki
    
    I'm surprised no one from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Miller's Union representing the workers at American Crystal Sugar has brought everyone up to speed here on this page on the issues involved and fielded questions as well...See More
    
    3 minutes ago ·
  - Alan Maki Whoops; I just noticed I posted that Collin Peterson is a Republican. Sorry about that Collin.
    
    2 minutes ago ·
    
    · 1 person
    
    Alan Maki
    I guess I have been censored.
    · · · 20 minutes ago
    
    Alan Maki
    
    I tried to post this comment on anti-scabbing legislation:
    
    I understand your point of view better now, Edward. I now have a different perspective on the problem of scabbing.
    
    Maybe we should turn scabbing into a time honored profession.
    
    Scabbing could be the solution to solving our unemployment problems.
    
    Maybe Governor Dayton and the Minnesota state legislature working with MNScU could turn the training center at the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant that will be closing into a training center for scabs. Give scabbing a degree and send Minnesotans out through the country working wherever there is a lockout or strike.
    
    Given the current economic climate this could provide tens of thousands of jobs.
    
    Is this coming to the 7th Congressional District if American Crystal Sugar workers decide to stand up for their rights and reject scabbing?
    
    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016144477_longshoremen09m.html
    
    500 Longshoremen storm port in Longview
    seattletimes.nwsource.com
    
    Work is at a standstill at the ports in Seattle and Everett as a labor dispute that started Thursday morning turned violent. At least 500 longshoremen stormed the Port of Longview

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“Letter to the Editor” submitted for publication in Labor World

Dear Labor World Editor, Larry Sillanpa;

I am submitting this “Letter to the Editor” for publication in Labor World; I hope you will consider its publication along with the title I have given it; I am also attaching a photo you might want to include.

Alan L. Maki

How is the WAR ECONOMY working for YOU?

With Labor Day just around the corner, I would like to share a left-wing working class perspective with readers of Labor World in the interest of dialog, discussion and debate.

I attended the Stewart Acuff “book signing” at the Duluth Labor Temple. This letter is largely based on the notes I made listening to Brother Acuff’s presentation, listening to questions and his responses and reading his excellent book: Getting America Back to Work which set me to thinking that it will only be through solving the problems working people are experiencing that most new jobs will be created.

The United States is the wealthiest country in the world.

This wealth created by working people is being squandered on fighting two wars, financing the Israeli killing machine and funding over 800 U.S. military bases on foreign soil protecting Wall Street's greedy interests--- instead, what we need is a public health care system of 800 primary care facilities serving as bases of support for over 30,000 neighborhood public health care centers spread out across the United States providing free health care for all Americans which would create around ten-million new, good-paying jobs with affirmative action enforced.

We wouldn't trust a private-for-profit free enterprise system to teach our children to read and write so why would we continue to rely on this failed private-for-profit health care system? Public education provides quality education for our children and a public health care system will provide us with a world-class health care system.
As for anyone concerned about the high cost of health care; VA, the Indian Health Service and the National Public Health Service have all proven we get the best health care at the best price through public health care.

Elected public officials should be able to comprehend the benefits from peace and a public health care system. Look at unemployment; our country and our state need jobs, not war.

By ending these dirty wars and implementing Mark Dayton’s call to “Tax the Rich” we can get America back to work.

In order to turn this country around, we are going to have to rebuild the historic coalition of liberals, progressives and the left; the only coalition which has ever won real progress for working people. To accomplish this we need to consider Brother Acuff’s suggestion (Getting America Back to Work- Page 83) that each and every worker needs to become “a warrior for peace and social justice.”

How is the WAR ECONOMY working for YOU? Does it make you sick?

Let’s talk about the politics and economics of livelihood for real change on this Labor Day.

Alan L. Maki

58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell Phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

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Thursday, September 8, 2011