Soldiers of Solidarity isn't the only organization opposed to the new UAW/GM contract. A writer for the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) was "assaulted and physically threatened" by UAW officials while distributing anti-contract leaflets outside union halls hosting ratification meetings. Socialist Equality Party (SEP) member Larry Porter was confronted by a man who identified himself as a chairman of the union who tried to stomp stop him. Later, "a man wearing a shirt bearing the UAW International emblem… told him if he did not leave immediately there would be 'trouble'." At a second meeting the same official threatened "to kick this guy's ass." The SEP sent a letter to Ron Gettelfinger, reminding him "were corporations to threaten members of the UAW engaged in organizing drives, your organization would certainly take legal action against those who sought to deprive the union of its democratic right to distribute leaflets on public property." The WSWS is warning GM workers to beware of "physical violence against workers opposed to… passage of a contract that gives [the UAW] control over $60 billion-$70 billion in retiree health funds." Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that while some locals have ratified the contract, there's still quite a bit of dissent in the ranks. If the contract doesn't pass, all Hell will break lose.
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You mean…socialists aren’t just for stomping?
Wait, that begs another question…
We still have socialists in the US?
The contract will pass
and GM will continue to lose market share
and many will still blame the union
Apparently the UAW officials of today are of the kinder and gentler breed, otherwise this WSWS writer would have been typing with his toes, rather than whining about his bruised mental (pun intended) state.
Is another Battle of the Overpass impending?
http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=119&category=people
Hmm, so the socialists are against the VEBA. Maybe it is a good thing.
Wait, no, the UAW will use the money to bribe legislators into passing socialized medicine so that they can then keep the rest of the money. The WSWS should be FOR the VEBA.
I guess the “Vast Left Wing Conspiracy” just isn’t as organized as the “Right” one. Where is Kruschev when you need him?
This is too rich. UAW guys reminding “socialists”* of what the true basis of union power is — thuggery.
*sniveling little whiny white rich kids.
Robert Schwartz:
They both support the same end goal: the welfare state.
“Wait, no, the UAW will use the money to bribe legislators into passing socialized medicine so that they can then keep the rest of the money.”
That’s what I would do…If I was the Dear Leader of a legalized criminal gang that is.
Ain’t it amazing to watch one set of socialists, threatening to pound another?
Kind of remdinds me of the question faced by Eastern Europeans around the time of WWII. Which is worse – Naziism (National Socialism) or Communism (Stalinist Socialism)?
This country could have taken another path in the 1920’s, which would have led to “no” sit-down strikes (illegal then and now) and essentially, extortion with menaces by the Federal Government to allow unions to essentially usurp the right of private property owners to use their own property.
Interestingly, Packard Motor Car Company chose just such a path some 100 years ago, and I’ve read about it.
The East Grand Boulevard (Packard) plant (architect Albert Kahn) was one of the first built with reinforced concrete instead of just brick. This was SPECIFICALLY to allow excellent light in (in a day when electric lights were dim, and not well placed yet).
The mind-set of the supposedly “evil” owners was to ensure an excellent work-place for the workers, without “paternalism”. No socialism or communism, no paternalism. But, allowing the men (and later, women) at work to have the dignity of having their own work, their own freedom, a reasonable wage and the best available working conditions. It was highly intelligent, and it wasn’t just Packard Motors who did it. Hudson likewise did it.
Contrary to the accepted public “received knowledge” about Henry Ford, his working conditions at the Model T factory were AWFUL, which is why he had to restort to doubling the wages to $5 per day at one point, since employee turn-over was 300% per month or some such horrendous figure.
Had real men been in charge of all of the companies, and provided decency in all manners of speaking to their employees, unions would never have gotten a look-in.
Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Honda, etc. all know this and prove it every day in their so-called “transplant” factories in the US and Canada.
Virtual Insanity: The socialists run the blue states and are infiltrating the red states. In other words, they are everywhere!
jschaef481: “The socialist run the blue states and are infiltrating the red states, In other words, they are everywhere.” Yep they are, just like roaches.
^Whilst I may be Virtual Insanity, that just might be real insanity.
I crack myself up.
And I agree. I find it odd that fake socialists (the snooby spoiled rich kids who want to end capitalism and form a total welfare state…as long as THEY don’t have to pay for it) are telling quasi socialists (the UAW) how to operate. And then the not really socialists but just want social medicine (the UAW) threatens to beat up the fake socialists, who run to daddy and hire VERY capitalist lawyers.
Wait, I thought socialism was the practice of beating down your oppressors and those who disagree with you so that you may usurp wealth and oppress everyone else. Shouldn’t the socialist parties be proud of their brothers?
jschaef481 :
Virtual Insanity: The socialists run the blue states and are infiltrating the red states. In other words, they are everywhere!
Blue states are a fallacy. There aren’t any blue states, only blue counties.
I miss Mcarthy-ism.
Nah! It’s all a CAW conspiracy!
GM keeps providing health benefits to a trillion people and Canada gets to keep it’s health care advantage.
If this VEBA flies successfully it’s all over for the CAW!
Jenny McCarthy..ism?
I do too. Singled Out taught me what I know about women.
“Yep they are, just like roaches.”
Actually, the dynamic of political government mirrors the AIDS virus.
“Blue states are a fallacy. There aren’t any blue states, only blue counties.”
If you look at the voting map by county, the high density areas (cities) are blue and the rural areas are red. It makes sense…Go tell a farmer “Your Fired” and he will look at you like your crazy. Tell a city person they are fired and they fly off in an emotional frenzy. Survival pressure is greater in the city than rural so people tend to want to vote themselves other people’s property when they live in cities. The US electoral college system was set-up to keep city folks from enslaving rural folks. The Founders learned from Rome.