Union OK'd for CSD Workers - Mountain News : News

Union OK'd for CSD Workers - Mountain News : News: By Mike Harris

Union Organizers Defeat Prop 32

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 07, 2012
CONTACT: Steve Smith (510) 326-4644

Voters Reject Deceptive Prop 32, Send Clear Message to Wealthy Corporate Interests

Union volunteers drive huge turnout to defeat Prop 32

Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski

“In voting down the deceptive Prop 32, Californians rejected a blatant power play by corporate special interests to silence the voice of working people. Despite weeks of misleading advertisements backing Prop 32 paid for by billionaires and out-of-state Super PACs, the margin of defeat was decisive. Prop 32 backers spent more than $50 million in an effort to fool voters. Ultimately, California families saw through this sham of a measure, agreeing with the League of Women Voters, reform groups and leading newspapers that panned Prop 32 as a fraud that would weaken our democracy.

“Prop 32 also had the effect of driving millions of firefighters, electricians, nurses, teachers, plumbers and other working people to the polls today. This measure was nothing less than an attack on working people; an attack we took personally.

“Today’s victory was the culmination of the largest voter contact program in the California labor movement’s history. Over the course of the campaign, 40,000 union volunteers reached millions of voters on the phone, at the door, through the mail and online about the harmful consequences of Prop 32. The result of this massive program was more engagement than ever from working people this election. That engagement not only drove the defeat of Prop 32, it also had a positive impact on other ballot measures and helped elect working family candidates at all levels.

“For the third time in the last 14 years, California voters rejected an attempt to shut working people out of the political process. The message voters sent the wealthy interests behind Prop 32 could not have been clearer. Californians categorically reject power plays designed by a few in the 1% to rig the system to their favor. Sooner or later, these CEOs and billionaires trying to push their agenda on our state will realize that no amount of money spent on deceptive ads will fool voters into passing measures like Prop 32.”

###

Why Barack Obama Won in 2012

163 Reasons Barack Obama Won the 2012 Presidential Election

1. Death of Osama Bin Laden

2.  Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech

3.  Senior Citizen Voters

4.  Women Voters

5.  High Level of Integrity

6.  Hispanic Voters

7.  African American Voters

8.   AARP Members

9.  ObamaCare Victory

10.  Auto Industry Bailout

11.  DNC Audience Diversity

12.  Responsible Pet Owners

13.  White House Beer Recipe

14.  Voter Identification Law Backlash

15.  Opposition to Tea Party Movement

16.  Personable and Presidential

17.  Occupy Wall Street

18.  Champion of Democracy

19.  Clint Eastwood’s Monologue

20.  Belief Financial System is Rigged

21.  Support for Renewable Energy

22.  Todd Akin’s Speech

23.  Romney’s Cayman Islands Account

24.  Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal

25.  Phrase “Tax Cuts for the Rich”

26.  Ryan’s Medicare Cuts

27.  Rafalca the Olympic Horse

28.  Romney’s 47% Comment

29.  Middle Class Voters

30.  Evangelicals

31.  American Voters on Welfare

32.  Americans Who Oppose Afghan War

33.  Mitt Romney’s Tax Rate

34.  Corporate Greed

35.  Do-Nothing Congress

36.  Romney’s Saber Rattling

37.  Conservative Commentator Ann Coulter

38.  Gay Marriage Supporters

39.  Foreign Policy Experience

40.  Support for Family Planning

41.  Daughter’s Malia and Sasha

42.  Fear of Right Wing Extremism

43.  YouTube Videos

44.  Etch-a-Sketch Comment

45.  Oppositions Use of Term “Socialist”

46.  Climate Change Science

47.  Arab Spring

48.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

49.  Immigration Reform Supporters

50.  Bain Capital, LLC

51.  Senator John McCain

52.  Seamus the Dog

53.  Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act

54.  Muammar Gaddafi Death

55.  The 99%

56.  Positive Upbeat Outlook

57.  Opposition to Koch Brother’s Meddling

58.  Romney Calling Self “Severe  Capitalist”

59.  Romney’s Oil Company Ties

60.  Romney’s Support of Nuclear Energy

61.  American Dream of Home Ownership

62.  Sheldon Adelson

63.  End of Iraq War

64.  Sarah Palin

65.  Fox News Coverage

66.  Iran Sanctions

67.  Romney Offshoring Jobs

68.  Chris Matthews

69.  Herman Cain’s Alleged Affair

70.  George W. Bush Legacy

71.  Working Families

72.  Obama Effect (Opposition Stockpiling Weapons)

73.  Increased Fuel Efficiency Standards

74.  Birther Conspiracy Backlash

75.  Basketball Ability

76.  Housing Market Stabilization

77.  Governor Scott Walker

78.  Veiled Racism

79.  Gov. Chris Christie

80.  Ted Nugent (Motor City Madman)

81.  Oprah Winfrey

82.  Seal Team 6

83.  Citizens United Decision Backlash

84.  Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance

85.  NRA After Colorado Shooting

86.  Facebook Sharing

87.  The 1%

88.  Ron Paul Snub

89.  Business Banking Regulations

90.  George Clooney

91.  Small Donors

92.  Transparency

93.    Likeable Characteristics

94.  Authentic Smile

95.  24 Hr News Cycle

96.  “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker

97.  GOP Israel Skinny Dip

98.  Romney Hong Kong Fundraiser

99.  Romney’s Olympic Security Critique

100. Carl Rove

101.  Super PAC’s

102. Michele Bachmann

103.  Term “Death Panel”

104.  Newt Gingrich

105.  Every Man

106.  Military Cuts

107.  House Speaker John Boehner

108.  Opposition to Coal Industry

109.  Union Members

110.  Rush Limbaugh

111. Opposes Corporate Greed

112.  EPA Regulations

113.  Teachers Voter

114.  Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo

115.  Romney’s Quote “I love to fire People”

116.  Stimulus Plan

117.  Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner

118.  Cash for Clunkers

119. Republican War on Women

120. Parents Who Support Big Bird

121.  Opposition calling US President a “Marxist”

122.  Overuse of Media Bias Claim

123.  Bill O’Reilly

124. Saturday Night Live

125.  Fair and Balanced Exaggeration

126. Stock Market Recovery

127. Al Franken

128.  Robert Reich

129. CA Voter Suppression Act

130. Term “Appeasement”

131. The Grover Norquist Pledge

132. Nathan Sproul

133. WI Collective Bargaining Law

134. Cato Institute

135. Time Magazine Cover

136. Empathy

137. Hugh Hewitt’s Book

138.  Atheist Ayn Rand

139.  School Vouchers

140.  Romney’s Car Elevator

141.  Opposition to Offshore Drilling

142.  Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s

143.  Support of US Government Workers

144.  Anyone Can Beat Obama Mantra

145.  Likeability Strengths

146.  Patriotic Language (About US Govt)

147.  Low Interest Rates

148.  Michele vs. Ann

149.  American Optimism

150.  GOP Buyer’s Remorse

151.  Strategic Allied Consulting, Inc.

152.  Term “Affirmative Action President”

153.  Support of Contraception

154.  Ann’s $990 Designer Silk Shirt

155.  PBS Viewers

156.  Sec of State Hillary Clinton

157.  Michael Savage’s Anti-American Vitriol

158.  Bo the Dog

159.  Housing Market Stabilization

160.   2nd Debate

161.   3rd Debate

162.   Gen. Colin Powell Endorsement

163.   Hurricane Sandy Response

Updated: 169 Reasons Mitt Romney Lost the 2012 Presidential Election

169 Reasons Mitt Romney Lost the 2012 Presidential Election:

1.            Occupy Wall Street
2.            War on Women
3.            Hispanic Voters
4.            African American Voters
5.            AARP Fight
6.            ObamaCare Victory
7.            Death of Osama Bin Laden
8.            Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech
9.            Auto Industry Bailout
10.          The Tea Party Movement
11.          Clint Eastwood’s Monologue
12.          Horatio Alger Myth
13.          Frightened Senior Citizens
14.          Todd Akin’s Rape Comments
15.          Cayman Islands Account
16.          Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal
17.          Tax Cuts for the Rich
18.          Medicare Cuts
19.          Rafalca the Olympic Horse
20.          The 47% Comment
21.          The Middle Class
22.          Evangelicals
23.          Term “Welfare Queen”
24.          Not Mentioning Afghanistan
25.          Michael Savage’s Vitriol
26.          Tax Returns
27.          Corporate Greed
28.          Do-Nothing Congress
29.          Ann Coulter
30.          Gay Marriage
31.          Foreign Policy
32.          Abortion
33.          Malia and Sasha
34.          Right Wing Extremism
35.          YouTube
36.          Etch-a-Sketch Debacle
37.          Calling a US President a “Socialist”
38.          Climate Change Denial
39.          Arab Spring
40.          Sec of State Hillary Clinton
41.          Immigration Issue
42.          Bain Capital
43.          John McCain
44.          Seamus the Dog
45.          Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
46.          Muammar Gaddafi Death
47.          The 99%
48.          Too Negative
49.          Koch Brothers
50.          Term “Crony Capitalist”
51.          Phony Voter ID Laws
52.          Oil Company Ties
53.          Opposition to Green Energy
54.          Support of Nuclear Energy
55.          American Dream of Home Ownership
56.          Sheldon Adelson
57.          End of Iraq War
58.          Sarah Palin
59.          Fox News
60.          Iran Sanctions
61.          Offshoring Jobs
62.          Chris Matthews
63.          Herman Cain’s 999 Plan
64.          Outsourcing
65.          George W. Bush
66.          Union Members
67.          Obama Effect (Stockpiling Weapons)
68.          Fuel Efficiency Standards
69.          Birther Conspiracy
70.          Basketball Ability
71.          Housing Market Stabilization
72.          Gov. Scott Walker
73.          Veiled Racism
74.          Gulf Oil Spill
75.          Motor City Madman Ted Nugent
76.          Oprah Winfrey
77.          Seal Team 6
78.          Citizens United Decision
79.          Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance
80.          NRA Tweet after Massacre
81.          Facebook Sharing
82.          The 1%
83.          Ron Paul Snub
84.          Business Banking Regulations
85.          Mars Curiosity Rover
86.          George Clooney
87.          Small Donors
88.          Stiff Persona
89.          Libyan Attack Comments
90.          Donald Trump Endorsement
91.          “He’s Not One of Us” Argument
92.          24 Hr News Cycle
93.          “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker
94.          GOP Israel Skinny Dip
95.          Hong Kong Fundraiser
96.          Romney’s Olympic Security Critique
97.          Carl Rove
98.          Super PAC’s
99.          Michele Bachmann
100.        Term “Death Panel”
101.        Offshore Accounts
102.        Newt Gingrich
103.        Angry Looking
104.        Netanyahu
105.        Reverse Military Cuts
106.        House Speaker John Boehner
107.        Support of Coal Industry
108.        Union Members
109.        Rush Limbaugh
110.        Corporate Greed
111.        EPA Regulations
112.        Teachers
113.        Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo
114.        “I Love to Fire People!”
115.        Stimulus Plan
116.        Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
117.        Cash for Clunkers
118.        War on Women
119.        “We Built It” Slogan
120.        Campaign Infighting
121.        No Specifics
122.        Term “Marxist”
123.        Media Bias Claim
124.        Bill O’Reilly
125.        Saturday Night Live
126.        Fair and Balanced
127.        Stock Market Recovery
128.        Al Franken
129.        Robert Reich
130.        Voter Suppression Act
131.        Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
131.        Term “Appeasement”
132.        Day One Promises
133.        The Norquist Pledge
134.        Nathan Sproul
135.        WI Collective Bargaining Law
136.        Cato Institute
137.        Anti-Mormon Bias
138.        Free Enterprise System
139.        Hugh Hewitt’s Book
140.        Bush’s Record
141.        Atheist Ayn Rand
142.        School Vouchers
143.        Romney’s Car Elevator
144.        Offshore Drilling
145.        Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s
146.        Insult Government Workers
147.        Anyone Can Beat Obama Mantra
148.        Comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter
149.        Likeability Factor
150.        Unpatriotic Language (Size of US Govt)
151.        Self-Described “Severe Conservative”
152.        Michele vs. Ann
153.        Cheerleading Fall of US Economy
154.        Buyer’s Remorse
155.        Strategic Allied Consulting, Inc.
156.        Term “Affirmative Action President”
157.        Drudge Siren
158.        Out of Touch
159.        Contraception
160.        Ann’s $990 Designer Silk Shirt
161.        PBS Viewers
162.        Jack Welsh Conspiracy
163.        “Binders Full of Women”
164.        Boss vs. President
165.        2nd Debate
166.        3rd Debate
167.        Saber Rattling
168.        Too Serious/Inability to Joke
169.        Thomas Peterffy

President Obama to Establish Cesar E. Chavez National Monument

Keene, California, On October 8th, 2012, President Obama will travel to Keene, California to announce the establishment of the César E. Chávez National Monument. Years in the making, the monument – which will be designated under the Antiquities Act – will be established on the property known as Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), or La Paz.  The La Paz property is recognized worldwide for its historic link to civil rights icon César Estrada Chávez and the farm worker movement. The site served as the national headquarters of the United Farm Workers (UFW) as well as the home and workplace of César Chávez and his family from the early 1970’s until Chávez’ death in 1993, and includes his grave site which will also be part of the monument.

“César Chávez gave a voice to poor and disenfranchised workers everywhere,” said President Obama. “La Paz was at the center of some of the most significant civil rights moments in our nation’s history, and by designating it a national monument, Chávez’ legacy will be preserved and shared to inspire generations to come.”

From this rural headquarters in the Tehachapi Mountains of Kern County, California, Chávez played a central role in achieving basic worker protections for hundreds of thousands of farmworkers across the country, from provisions ensuring drinking water was provided to workers in the fields, to steps that helped limit workers’ exposure to dangerous pesticides, to helping to establish basic minimum wages and health care access for farm workers.

The National Chávez Center, in consultation with the United Farm Workers of America, the César Chávez Foundation and members of César Chávez’s family, offered to donate certain properties at La Paz to the federal government for the purpose of establishing a national monument commemorating César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement. This designation will represent the culmination of a process that has been underway for several years.

The César E. Chávez National Monument will encompass property that includes a Visitors’ Center containing César Chávez’s office as well as the UFW legal aid offices, the home of César and Helen Chávez, the Chávez Memorial Garden containing Chavez’s grave site, and additional buildings and structures at the La Paz campus.

The monument, which will be managed by the National Park Service in consultation with the National Chávez Center and the César Chávez Foundation, will be the fourth National Monument designated by President Obama using the Antiquities Act.   He previously designated Fort Monroe National Monument in Virginia, a former Army post integral to the history of slavery, the Civil War, and the U.S. military; Fort Ord National Monument in California, a former military base that is a world-class destination for outdoor recreation; and Chimney Rock, which is located in the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado, and offers a spectacular landscape rich in history and Native American culture. First exercised by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, the authority of the Antiquities Act has been used by 16 presidents since 1906 to protect unique natural and historic features in America, such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients.

###

Spanish Translation

El Presidente Obama establecerá el Monumento Nacional a César E. Chávez

El día 8 de octubre de 2012, el Presidente Obama viajará a Keene, California, para anunciar el establecimiento del Monumento Nacional a César E. Chávez.  Este monumento, que lleva varios años en proyecto y será designado bajo la Ley de Antigüedades, se establecerá en la propiedad conocida como Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, o La Paz.  La propiedad de La Paz está reconocida en todo el mundo por su conexión histórica con el ícono de los derechos civiles César Estrada Chávez y el movimiento de los trabajadores agrícolas.  Este lugar ha sido la sede nacional de la Unión de Trabajadores Agrícolas (UFW, por sus siglas en inglés) así como la casa y centro de trabajo de César Chávez y su familia desde principios de la década de 1970 hasta el fallecimiento de Chávez en 1993, e incluye su tumba, que también será parte del monumento.

El Presidente Obama comentó que, “César Chávez les dio una voz a los trabajadores pobres y despojados en todas partes.  La Paz fue el punto de partida de algunos de los movimientos de derechos civiles más significativos en la historia de nuestra nación y, al designársele como monumento nacional, se preservará y se compartirá el legado de Chávez para inspirar a las generaciones futuras”.

Desde esta sede rural en las Montañas Tehachapi del Condado Kern en California, Chávez desempeñó una función clave para lograr las protecciones básicas para cientos de miles de trabajadores agrícolas en todo el país, desde disposiciones que garantizaban que se les proporcionara agua potable a los trabajadores en los campos, hasta medidas que ayudaron a limitar la exposición de los trabajadores a pesticidas nocivos, hasta ayudar a establecer los salarios mínimos básicos y acceso a cuidado médico para los trabajadores agrícolas.

El Centro Nacional Chávez, en consulta con la Unión de Trabajadores Agrícolas de América, la Fundación César Chávez y miembros de la familia de César Chávez, ofreció donar ciertas propiedades en La Paz al gobierno federal con el fin de establecer un monumento nacional para conmemorar a César E. Chávez y el movimiento de los trabajadores agrícolas.  Esa designación representará la culminación de un proceso que lleva varios años en movimiento.

El Monumento Nacional César E. Chávez comprenderá propiedad que incluye un centro de visitantes que contiene la oficina de César Chávez así como las oficinas de ayuda legal de UFW, la casa de César y Helen Chávez, el Jardín Conmemorativo Chávez que contiene la tumba de Chavez, y otros edificios y estructuras en el recinto de La Paz.

El monumento, que estará bajo la administración del Servicio Nacional de Parques, en consulta con el Centro Nacional Chávez y la Fundación César Chávez, será el cuarto monumento nacional designado por el Presidente Obama bajo la Ley de Antigüedades.  Él designó previamente el Monumento Nacional Fort Monroe en Virginia, una antigua posta del ejército que fue integral a la historia de la esclavitud, la Guerra Civil, y las Fuerzas Armadas de EE.UU.; el Monumento Nacional Fort Ord en California, una antigua base militar que es un destino de clase mundial para recreación al aire libre; y Chimney Rock, que está ubicado en el Bosque Nacional de San Juan en el suroeste de Colorado, y ofrece un panorama espectacular repleto de historia y de cultura americana nativa.  La autoridad de la Ley de Antigüedades, que fue ejercida por primera vez por el Presidente Theodore Roosevelt en 1906 para designar el Monumento Nacional de Devils Tower en Wyoming, ha sido usada por 16 presidentes desde entonces para proteger las características naturales e históricas exclusivas en EE.UU., tales como el Gran Cañón, la Estatua de la Libertad, y el monumento Canyons of the Ancients en Colorado.

###

155 Reasons Mitt Romney Lost the 2012 Presidential Election

Updated! This is an update of an earlier post see here.

There are reasons candidates win elections and there are reasons candidates lose elections. Mitt Romney lost this one.

Here’s why.......

1.            Occupy Wall Street
2.            War on Women
3.            Hispanic Voters
4.            African American Voters
5.            AARP Fight
6.            ObamaCare Victory
7.            Death of Osama Bin Laden
8.            Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech
9.            Auto Industry Bailout
10.          The Tea Party Movement
11.          Clint Eastwood’s Monologue
12.          Horatio Alger Myth
13.          Frightened Senior Citizens
14.          Todd Akin’s Rape Comments
15.          Cayman Islands Account
16.          Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal
17.          Tax Cuts for the Rich
18.          Medicare Cuts
19.          Rafalca the Olympic Horse
20.          The 47% Comment
21.          The Middle Class
22.          Evangelicals
23.          Term “Welfare Queen”
24.          Not Mentioning Afghanistan
25.          Michael Savage’s Vitriol
26.          Tax Returns
27.          Corporate Greed
28.          Do-Nothing Congress
29.          Ann Coulter
30.          Gay Marriage
31.          Foreign Policy
32.          Abortion
33.          Malia and Sasha
34.          Right Wing Extremism
35.          YouTube
36.          Etch-a-Sketch Debacle
37.          Calling a US President a “Socialist”
38.          Climate Change Denial
39.          Arab Spring
40.          Sec of State Hillary Clinton
41.          Immigration Issue
42.          Bain Capital
43.          John McCain
44.          Seamus the Dog
45.          Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
46.          Muammar Gaddafi Death
47.          The 99%
48.          Too Negative
49.          Koch Brothers
50.          Term “Crony Capitalist”
51.          Phony Voter ID Laws
52.          Oil Company Ties
53.          Opposition to Green Energy
54.          Support of Nuclear Energy
55.          American Dream of Home Ownership
56.          Sheldon Adelson
57.          End of Iraq War
58.          Sarah Palin
59.          Fox News
60.          Iran Sanctions
61.          Offshoring Jobs
62.          Chris Matthews
63.          Herman Cain’s 999 Plan
64.          Outsourcing
65.          George W. Bush
66.          Union Members
67.          Obama Effect (Stockpiling Weapons)
68.          Fuel Efficiency Standards
69.          Birther Conspiracy
70.          Basketball Ability
71.          Housing Market Stabilization
72.          Gov. Scott Walker
73.          Veiled Racism
74.          Gulf Oil Spill
75.          Motor City Madman Ted Nugent
76.          Oprah Winfrey
77.          Seal Team 6
78.          Citizens United Decision
79.          Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance
80.          NRA Tweet after Massacre
81.          Facebook Sharing
82.          The 1%
83.          Ron Paul Snub
84.          Business Banking Regulations
85.          Mars Curiosity Rover
86.          George Clooney
87.          Small Donors
88.          Stiff Persona
89.          Libyan Attack Comments
90.          Donald Trump Endorsement
91.          “He’s Not One of Us” Argument
92.          24 Hr News Cycle
93.          “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker
94.          GOP Israel Skinny Dip
95.          Hong Kong Fundraiser
96.          Romney’s Olympic Security Critique
97.          Carl Rove
98.          Super PAC’s
99.          Michele Bachmann
100.        Term “Death Panel”
101.        Offshore Accounts
102.        Newt Gingrich
103.        Angry Looking
104.        Netanyahu
105.        Reverse Military Cuts
106.        House Speaker John Boehner
107.        Support of Coal Industry
108.        Union Members
109.        Rush Limbaugh
110.        Corporate Greed
111.        EPA Regulations
112.        Teachers
113.        Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo
114.        “I love to fire People”
115.        Stimulus Plan
116.        Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
117.        Cash for Clunkers
118.        War on Women
119.        “We Built It” Slogan
120.        Campaign Infighting
121.        No Specifics
122.        Term “Marxist”
123.        Media Bias Claim
124.        Bill O’Reilly
125.        Saturday Night Live
126.        Fair and Balanced
127.        Stock Market Recovery
128.        Al Franken
129.        Robert Reich
130.        Voter Suppression Act
131.        Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
131.        Term “Appeasement”
132.        Day One Promises
133.        The Norquist Pledge
134.        Nathan Sproul
135.        WI Collective Bargaining Law
136.        Cato Institute
137.        Anti-Mormon Bias
138.        Free Enterprise System
139.        Hugh Hewitt’s Book
140.        Bush’s Record
141.        Atheist Ayn Rand
142.        School Vouchers
143.        Romney’s Car Elevator
144.        Offshore Drilling
145.        Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s
146.        Insult Government Workers
147.        Anyone Can Beat Obama Mantra
148.        Comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter
149.        Likeability Factor
150.        Unpatriotic Language (Size of US Govt)
151.        Conservative Doctrine
152.        Michele vs. Ann
153.        Cheerleading Fall of US Economy
154.        Buyer’s Remorse
155.        Strategic Allied Consulting, Inc.

Copyright Bob Oedy 2012. All Rights Reserved.

19 Tips for Organizing Conference Planners

Feeling overwhelmed with responsibility in planning your union’s organizing conference? Where do you start? What needs to be included? What if anything should be done differently this time?

It’s no easy task. You have to choose the right location, the right venue, and it needs to run like a well-oiled machine. You want to send people home feeling refreshed and ready with new tools to do their job better.

Here are 19 tips to help you conduct a successful organizing conference everyone will enjoy.

1.      Review Objective – Ask “Why an organizing conference?” then set a goal and work toward it.

2.      Plan for Fun – Host it at a location people enjoy and give them time to enjoy it.

3.      Keep it short – Two or three days max; don’t take your best people out-of-the-field for too long.

4.      Build Them Up – It’s easy to get discouraged as an organizer. Encourage attendee’s success.

5.      Limit Teleprompters – Good leaders make accomplished speakers. Teleprompters distract.

6.      Skip the Entertainment – Organizing is a fascinating topic. Keep the focus on organizing.

7.      Limit Speakers to 15 Minutes – Less if possible. Everyone will thank you!

8.      Remind People to Bring a Sweater – Conference rooms are often chilly.

9.      Keep it light – Organizers are the most overworked people in the labor movement.

10.  Give Them a Break – Regular restroom breaks lead to better attention and retention.

11.  Limit Evening Receptions – After a long day glued to a chair most would rather pass.

12.  Repeat Theme Often – Ask each speaker to include a reference so it’s not forgotten.

13.  Start and End On Time – Be respectful of attendee’s time and travel arrangements.

14.  Have Contingency Plans – Be ready should a speaker fail to show or a computer malfunctions.

15.  Keep It Relevant – If the subject is anything but better organizing it should be dropped.

16.  Don’t Preach to the Choir – Organizers know exactly why they do what they do.

17.  Limit Who Attends – Raise the bar by requiring attendees be full-time union organizers.

18.  Discover New Talent – Bring in new people to conduct seminars and breakout sessions.

19.  End Strong – As participants depart they should feel relaxed, motivated, and energized.

154 Reasons Mitt Romney Lost the 2012 Presidential Election

There are reasons candidates win elections and there are reasons candidates lose elections. Mitt Romney lost this one.

Here's why in my opinion:

1.            Occupy Wall Street
2.            War on Women
3.            Hispanic Voters
4.            African American Voters
5.            AARP Fight
6.            ObamaCare Victory
7.            Death of Osama Bin Laden
8.            Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech
9.            Auto Industry Bailout
10.          The Tea Party Movement
11.          Clint Eastwood’s Monologue
12.          Horatio Alger Myth
13.          Frightened Senior Citizens
14.          Todd Akin’s Rape Comments
15.          Cayman Islands Account
16.          Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal
17.          Tax Cuts for the Rich
18.          Medicare Cuts
19.          Rafalca the Olympic Horse
20.          The 47% Comment
21.          The Middle Class
22.          Evangelicals
23.          Term “Welfare Queen”
24.          Not Mentioning Afghanistan
25.          Michael Savage’s Vitriol
26.          Tax Returns
27.          Corporate Greed
28.          Do-Nothing Congress
29.          Ann Coulter
30.          Gay Marriage
31.          Foreign Policy
32.          Abortion
33.          Malia and Sasha
34.          Right Wing Extremism
35.          YouTube
36.          Etch-a-Sketch Debacle
37.          Calling a US President a “Socialist”
38.          Climate Change Denial
39.          Arab Spring
40.          Sec of State Hillary Clinton
41.          Immigration Issue
42.          Bain Capital
43.          John McCain
44.          Seamus the Dog
45.          Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
46.          Muammar Gaddafi Death
47.          The 99%
48.          Too Negative
49.          Koch Brothers
50.          Term “Crony Capitalist”
51.          Phony Voter ID Laws
52.          Oil Company Ties
53.          Opposition to Green Energy
54.          Support of Nuclear Energy
55.          American Dream of Home Ownership
56.          Sheldon Adelson
57.          End of Iraq War
58.          Sarah Palin
59.          Fox News
60.          Iran Sanctions
61.          Offshoring Jobs
62.          Chris Matthews
63.          Herman Cain’s 999 Plan
64.          Outsourcing
65.          George W. Bush
66.          Union Members
67.          Obama Effect (Stockpiling Weapons)
68.          Fuel Efficiency Standards
69.          Birther Conspiracy
70.          Basketball Ability
71.          Housing Market Stabilization
72.          Gov. Scott Walker
73.          Veiled Racism
74.          Gulf Oil Spill
75.          Motor City Madman Ted Nugent
76.          Oprah Winfrey
77.          Seal Team 6
78.          Citizens United Decision
79.          Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance
80.          NRA Tweet after Massacre
81.          Facebook Sharing
82.          The 1%
83.          Ron Paul Snub
84.          Business Banking Regulations
85.          Mars Curiosity Rover
86.          George Clooney
87.          Small Donors
88.          Stiff Persona
89.          Libyan Attack Comments
90.          Donald Trump Endorsement
91.          “He’s Not One of Us” Argument
92.          24 Hr News Cycle
93.          “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker
94.          GOP Israel Skinny Dip
95.          Hong Kong Fundraiser
96.          Romney’s Olympic Security Critique
97.          Carl Rove
98.          Super PAC’s
99.          Michele Bachmann
100.        Term “Death Panel”
101.        Offshore Accounts
102.        Newt Gingrich
103.        Angry Looking
104.        Netanyahu
105.        Reverse Military Cuts
106.        House Speaker John Boehner
107.        Support of Coal Industry
108.        Union Members
109.        Rush Limbaugh
110.        Corporate Greed
111.        EPA Regulations
112.        Teachers
113.        Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo
114.        “I love to fire People”
115.        Stimulus Plan
116.        Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner
117.        Cash for Clunkers
118.        War on Women
119.        “We Built It” Slogan
120.        Campaign Infighting
121.        No Specifics
122.        Term “Marxist”
123.        Media Bias Claim
124.        Bill O’Reilly
125.        Saturday Night Live
126.        Fair and Balanced
127.        Stock Market Recovery
128.        Al Franken
129.        Robert Reich
130.        Voter Suppression Act
131.        Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
131.        Term “Appeasement”
132.        Day One Promises
133.        The Norquist Pledge
134.        Nathan Sproul
135.        WI Collective Bargaining Law
136.        Cato Institute
137.        Anti-Mormon Bias
138.        Free Enterprise System
139.        Hugh Hewitt’s Book
140.        Bush’s Record
141.        Atheist Ayn Rand
142.        School Vouchers
143.        Romney’s Car Elevator
144.        Offshore Drilling
145.        Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s
146.        Insult Government Workers
147.        Anyone Can Beat Obama Mantra
148.        Comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter
149.        Likeability Factor
150.        Unpatriotic Language (Size of US Govt)
151.        Conservative Doctrine
152.        Michele vs. Ann
153.        Cheerleading Fall of US Economy
154.        Buyer’s Remorse

Copyright 2012 Bob Oedy All Rights Reserved

VFXSuccess: VFX Industry Commentary

VFXSuccess: VFX Industry Commentary: Watch this brief (2:40 min) video for my latest commentary on the state of the VFX industry.

An Open Letter to the Citizens of Crestline

    This letter is in response to an article printed in a local paper July 19, 2012, when a Director of Crestline Sanitation District (CSD) was quoted as saying “I was disappointed the employees felt a need to be represented by a union” and a five percent raise was allotted for employees. Here is a little background for the community.

 When an initiative was put forth for CSD to become independent from the County, every employee was in agreement that the district would be better off.   All the employees contributed to purchase signs that were put up for the break away vote. We gave that money to the candidates running for directors in the event the ballot passed.

    After the ballot passed and CSD broke away from the County employees met with the new Board of Directors.  We asked questions about the future and the Board assured us salaries and benefits would remain the same and the future would be better. They told us they would deal fairly and in “good faith”. We thought this was good and as long as they were open and would deal fairly we did not need the representation by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association that we had.  So we stopped being represented. Presently, a rumor has been circulating that the directors wanted to lower our salary by an average of 200 dollars per pay period, we were perplexed.  This seemed incredible due to the fact that we are the lowest paid employees in our classifications anywhere on the mountain by an average of 20 %. Furthermore the District was putting about 1.3 million dollars into a reserve account bringing it up to about 8 million dollars! 

To date there have been no meetings between the Board and employees since the first one, only secrecy and behind the back planning.  We, the employees are not able to attend the meetings because they are at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and we get off at 4:30.  This and several other notions by the Board brought us to the realization that we needed to be represented.  We chose the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to represent us.  If IBEW representatives had not attended the Board meeting in May we would now be an average of 27 % below local agency pay scales for like classifications.

    Now the 5% offer. The 5 % referred to was put there to give the Board enough room to give increases to some classifications and not others. Some people who are 20 to 30 % below the average might get 9% while others might get 1% or nothing.  We have discussed this and feel it is fair to give an across the board increase to all employees. This keeps morale up and is fair to all. We only wanted a 3 ½% raise due to the increased cost of living.  We did not ask for a salary adjustment to bring us up to what other local agencies are paying. We only asked to be treated fairly and that has not happened.

    The employees of Crestline Sanitation District are a professional and dedicated group of highly skilled people, which 90% of whom live on the mountain. They solve problems that arise during everyday work and under the harsh conditions of mountain winter storms and some very adverse conditions.  The average length of employment is fourteen years for each employee.  The employees work here because we like it here, like the area, like the management and work well together as a very cohesive and able team.

    In closing, we would like to thank the citizens of Crestline for their support and encourage everyone to attend the Board meetings even though we know it is difficult due to the time of day they are scheduled.  You, the citizens of Crestline, are the ones that need to participate and take note of what is happening at these Board meetings because ultimately it is your money being spent. 

Thank you, The Employees of Crestline Sanitation District        










                                                                                                                

VFXSuccess: Raising the VFX Flag

VFXSuccess: Raising the VFX Flag: Mysteriously anonymous and often controversial activist VFX Soldier talks about the larger mission.  By Bob Oedy IBEW International L...

Blogger Succeeds Where Oprah Fails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visual effects industry awaiting release of exclusive interview with the mysterious VFX Soldier

HOLLYWOOD, California July 27, 2012
Lead organizer Bob Oedy of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) scored a ground breaking interview Thursday with anonymous visual effects (VFX) blogger VFX Soldier beating out the likes of former TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey and other Hollywood insiders. How did this relatively unknown union activist convince the reclusive VFX Soldier arguably the most influential writer in the visual effects community to an exclusive interview? “I sent a lot of emails saying I want to help visual effects artists”, said Oedy. “Oprah’s people are probably afraid of being labeled stalkers, but I’m not.” Oedy plans to publish the interview in its entirety on his VFXSuccess.com blog at exactly 3:14am PST on July 30th , a time mutually agreed to by both parties.

As far as the identity of the VFX Soldier, or whether the person is a man or a woman; Oedy isn’t saying. “I’m sworn to secrecy “, Oedy says. “All I can tell you is it’s a secret, but I will say this... if the industry knew they’d freak out!” Oedy adds, “I’m taking this one to the grave!”
VFX Soldier remains anonymous to avoid being black listed by the entertainment industry. The writer is widely recognized as being supportive of the idea of unionizing visual effects artists and has gotten the attention of Variety, and the LA Times lately. The blog is often read during work hours and shared amongst coworkers. Topics such as film subsidies, efforts to lure film production away from Hollywood, and students being charged while working on blockbuster films are regularly covered on the blog.

VFX workers are the ones who give the Hulk his muscles, make Spiderman swing, Batman well...bat....and sculpt J. Lo's butt for music videos, it's not black magic but very valuable Hollywood magic. VFX artists are the only part of the talent totem pole not part of a union which is why they end up at the bottom of the credit list and sometimes the creditors list. VFX Soldier was born from the ashes of burned out artists.... as the new voice in the fight for VFX artist rights in the shadow of the Hollywood sign.

About VFXSuccess.com
VFX Success is a website designed to help workers succeed in the visual effects industry. For more information send an email to vfxsuccess(at)hotmail(dot)com or call (818) 212-1508.
###

Sanitation Workers To Unionize - Mountain News : News

Sanitation Workers To Unionize - Mountain News : News: Afternoon meetings for the Crestline Sanitation District's board of directors used to begin with a friendly, lighthearted feel, maybe even a j…

Union May Be in District's Future - Mountain News : News

Union May Be in District's Future - Mountain News : News: The old TV game show, Who Do You Trust?, might be a good description for what's currently going on between the Crestline Sanitation District's…

Email Statement of President Paula E. Peinovich of National Labor College/George Meany Center

Statement of President Paula E. Peinovich, PhD

National Labor College 
April 9, 2012

National Labor College (NLC) is open for business. The College’s educational programs are continuing without interruption. Students’ online courses, support services,  and registration processes are continuing. The College is working hard to continue its core mission of educating union workers and their families, now and in the future. 

The College’s Board of Trustees has made difficult decisions to refocus on the College’s core mission. The Board has approved a plan to offer for sale the campus in Silver Spring, MD and to stop operating the Kirkland Conference Center and the George Meany Memorial Archives by August 31, 2012. We anticipate that the College will remain on the campus at least until such time as the property is sold.

These decisions were not made lightly. We recognize that these changes will have a significant impact on the College community. We pledge to work to ease any necessary transition in the coming months.

We will continue to keep all informed of any further decisions made by National Labor College. Thank you for your patience and support throughout this process. 


###

Ethical Violations by NLRB Member Terence Flynn

For Immediate Release Contact: Josh Goldstein 202-637-5018

Statement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
On Ethical Violations by NLRB Member Terence Flynn
March 26, 2012

The report of the Inspector General of the National Labor Relations Board into allegations of improper conduct by NLRB member Terence Flynn confirms a pattern of ethical violations that are nothing less than shocking. The report details numerous instances of then-chief counsel Flynn funneling confidential information about the labor board’s activities and deliberations, including attorney-client privileged information, to two former NLRB members who have been actively engaged in a relentless campaign to undermine and discredit the NLRB through legal and rhetorical challenges to the agency’s activities. One of the former NLRB members who received confidential information – former Chairman Peter Schaumber – is co-chair of the labor policy advisory group for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. 

The report makes clear that Schaumber used his inside connections through his former chief counsel Flynn to get internal, confidential information that he then utilized in ongoing public attacks on the actions of the NLRB. 

These unethical practices are unprecedented and indefensible. NLRB member Flynn should resign immediately. The Department of Justice should quickly investigate and bring criminal charges if violations are found.

Working people deserve to know that public officials who take an oath to honor the public trust will do so – and that is especially true for officials charged with protecting workers’ rights. 

These findings also will be a test for candidate Romney. A key advisor has been found to have used his inside connections in a way that resulted in the violation of ethics rules. Allowing Schaumber to remain as an advisor will speak volumes about candidate Romney and the value he places on ethics in government officials. He should renounce these violations and dismiss Schaumber.

###

Union Made Vinyl Banner Manufacturers

Insist on using union made and printed banners. Here is a list of union made vinyl banner manufacturers in the United States.

Blue Donkey Signs

1239 State Avenue

Marysville, WA 98270

www.bluedonkeysigns.com

1-360-657-3223

Union Made Promotions.com

2225 Industrial Drive

Madison, WI 53713

www.unionmadepromotions.com

1-608-238-9080

Dem Sign

2451 18^th Street N.W.

Washington, DC 20009

www.demsign.com/banners_podium_signs/banners.php

1-866-477-2259

American Advertising

204 South Third Street

PO Box 565

Boonville, IN 47601

www.everything-usa.net

1-800-995-5415

Focus Ink Incorporated

335 Jefferson SE

Albuquerque, NM 87108

www.focusink.com

1-505-265-3497

Carroll Printing and Promotions

2907 Canal Street

Houston, TX 77003

www.carrollprinting.com

1-888-234-7883

Colby Poster Printing Company

1332 West 12^th Place

Los Angeles, CA 90015

www.colbyposter.com

1-213-747-5108

I have used Colby Poster Printing Company to print vinyl banners before. They do excellent work!  You can call this company with your ideas and they will design a banner for you over the phone.

Bureau of Labor Statistics Report on Union Members in 2011

OPA News Release: [01/27/2012]
Contact Name: Jason Surbey
Phone Number: (202) 693-4668
Release Number: 12-0169-NAT

Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis regarding Bureau of Labor Statistics report on union members in 2011

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today on union members in 2011:

"Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that, in 2011, the unionization rate of employed wage and salary workers was 11.8 percent, essentially unchanged from 11.9 percent in 2010. Among private sector employees, the rate remained at 6.9 percent.

"The data also show that among full-time wage and salary workers, the median weekly earnings of union members were $938, compared to $729 for nonunion workers. Union women earned median weekly earnings of $879, an amount 34.6 percent higher than their nonunion counterparts, who earned just $653 by comparison.

"Prior reporting shows that union members have greater access to health care, retirement and leave benefits. Today's numbers make it clear that union jobs are critical to a strong economy. And a strong economy depends on a strong and growing middle class.

"Ensuring that all people have a voice at work and protecting their right to organize and bargain collectively are essential for an America that's built to last, where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone pays his or her fair share and everyone plays by the same rules."

How to Master the Organizer Evaluation

You’ve been assigned to attend an organizer evaluation, put on by your union to assess your ability as a union organizer. Regardless of your skill and experience this is not going to be a walk-in-the-park.

Unions are implementing a tough new 25 point evaluation process to screen out unqualified applicants for union organizer positions.  If you aren’t ready to hit the ground running in a high stakes strategic organizing campaign you won’t pass. How you perform here, could affect the rest of your organizing career.

These are the five things you must do to master the organizer evaluation.

1. Be prepared to write a strategic organizing plan.

One assignment requires writing a strategic plan for a fictitious company highlighted during the three-day event. The plan should include such things as; goals, timelines, bench marks, issues, leaders, meetings, employee list, volunteer organizing committee, house calls, target date for filing, hand bills, mailings, emails, itemized expenses, etc.  It’s expected to be completed and turned in the next morning.  

2. Take detailed notes before, during and after each role play.

Yes, that’s right. You’re going to be doing role play.  It’s designed to get you out of your comfort zone to see if you can answer questions extemporaneously. Most organizers excel at this, so have fun!

Each role play is related to the same campaign. In other words whether you are communicating with a worker or addressing a volunteer organizing committee its likely part of the same campaign. The information will later be needed when writing your strategic organizing plan. It’s important to remember for example leader’s names, how many employees a company has, etc. Take notes throughout the process to refer to later.

3. Look sharp! Wear appropriate attire.

You won’t get a second chance to make a good first impression, so dress business casual. Guys; wear a sport coat, ladies; dress conservatively. Shorts, flip flops, hats or jeans with holes in them are not appropriate for an event of this type. 

4. Listen for clues and urge the person to act.

Some participants have expressed disappointment with their assessment score in one category; Ability to Motivate Others to Act. For whatever reason they didn’t feel they received adequate credit for doing so during role play. Compensate for this by giving each person a specific call to action and asking for a commitment.

5. Get plenty of rest.

There’s a tendency for people to want to blow off some steam after a long day in a classroom, especially when traveling far from family and friends.  Be careful not to stay out too late or drink in excess. Get plenty of rest. Eat healthy and be ready for the challenges ahead.

By following these five simple tips you will master the organizer evaluation. You will receive the highest possible score because you will be on top of your game, look sharp, be better informed and avoid common mistakes others have made.

Good Luck!

Bob Oedy helps union organizers succeed in the construction industry by providing solutions to dramatically increase their level of performance and productivity without burning out. For free information on how you can recruit more members, sign contractors and gain jobs for your union go to => www.unionorganizer.com

Book Review of Promoting Your Union; Six Strategies to get More Organizing Leads and Union Members by Jason Mann

Promoting Your Union; Six Strategies to Get More Organizing Leads and Union Members by Jason Mann

Self Published

Soft Cover

118 pages

Union Label: Canadian Freeland Union Local 2040

www.PromotingYourUnion.com

ISBN 9781468137972

Available through Amazon.com

Promoting Your Union is a well thought out and practical guide on how to generate more leads for your union. Relying on his experience as a union organizer, labor activist and new media guru Jason Mann compiled his thoughts in a readable and implementable way.

This is an instructional book; heavily bullet pointed without any fluff. Mann’s writing style is like that of the great Tom Peters, without the signature exclamation points. There are no photos or illustrations, experts quoted, references sited, empirical data, or background information provided about the author, just a straight forward do these things and you will succeed. At less than 20,000 words, you can easily finish this book on a long plane flight. Here the author has given organizers and union leaders the essentials to easily move the proverbial puck forward.

Some of my favorite points are the importance of effective targeting, communicating emotion, improving your union’s website, creating a pull campaign, building a contact database, creating “I work at” Facebook pages (I did this), connecting with future workers, repeat referrals, gathering testimonials, creating videos for YouTube, and checking websites rating former employers. Other ideas would require research and detailed knowledge of HTML code, such as split testing campaign websites and tracking conversion rates using Google Analytics.  

Overall this is an easy read with plenty of great ideas organizers can implement right away. I recommend purchasing a copy for yourself and each member of your staff.