One Union Has Had Enough - Takes Action

The Republicans would like for us to believe that all we have to do is let the corporations keep making ever larger profits and they'll happily share that money with the rest of us. And far too many Americans have bought into that ridiculous notion. They seem to think that the corporate executives are warm and caring people who will see that American workers always have a safe job and an excellent wage -- just out of the goodness of their hearts.

The terrible recession that we're still in (regardless of what the pundits say) should put that notion to rest. Big business is making record-breaking profits, but none of it is being shared with working America. While profits climb to astronomical levels, workers wages are stagnant, and have been for the last thirty years or so (meaning that the buying power of the average worker has actually gone down while business profits have risen).

Too many people don't seem to realize that the working conditions they enjoy today (if they're lucky enough to have a job) are due almost exclusively to unions. All of the things listed above (and more) would not exist if it were not for the people in our past who fought to establish unions and give workers some rights. And none of that was a result of corporate generosity, but had to be fought for (and in too many cases died for).

Republicans have never liked unions. They have always been on the side of big business and have fought unions. And since the presidency of Ronald Reagan they have been very successful in chipping away at union rights and in weakening the union movement. This is a primary reason wages have been stagnant (because the weakened unions don't have the power anymore to force corporate America to be fair). And if corporate America doesn't have to be fair to workers, then no business does.

In the past, the Democrats have been those who fought to protect unions and American workers. They still pay a lot of lip service to protecting the workers, and even President Obama spoke of his support for unions and workers in the 2008 campaign. But sadly, little has been done by the Democrats (or the president) recently to make good on those promises. I'm not sure whether it's a lack of desire or ability (or just too many "blue dogs"), but Democrats have not protected unions.

One union has had enough of politicians (of both parties) who talk like they'll help working men and women, and then do nothing once they're elected. The Executive Board of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) -- an AFL-CIO member union -- has decided to take some action. They have declared they will cut off donating any funds to federal candidates, parties, or the PACs created to support them.

I can't say I blame them. They have been donating a lot of money and they are getting nothing in return -- nothing except to be ignored after the elections are over. Then the Republicans get back to attacking unions and the Democrats let them do it. Here's some of what IAFF president Harold Schaitberger told the union's members about the board's decision:

Extreme right-wing conservative and so-called Tea Party politicians are coming after fire fighters, paramedics and all public workers with a vengeance across the United States. They are attempting to take away basic American rights like collective bargaining and your right to negotiate for a good quality of life for your families. They are working to eliminate your pensions and retirement security. They want to silence your voice by gagging you with legislation they call Paycheck Protection. They are taking away the long-held right of dues deductions from paychecks to try to weaken the finances of our union. They want to hurt all unions and drive down wages and benefits with Right-to-Work laws.

Not only are extremist Republicans trying to destroy us -- too few Democrats are standing up and fighting for us. 

Over the past two years, politicians from both parties have failed to address our issues in Washington, DC. Now, anti-labor members of Congress and their allies are championing measures that would undermine pension security, tax employer-sponsored health benefits, force newly hired fire fighters into Social Security and attack federal fire fighters. And with no pro-fire fighter legislation likely to be advanced in the 112th Congress – it’s time to take a stand. 

With the survival of our union and the ability to preserve and protect the rights, wages and benefits our members deserve in jeopardy in the states, we have re-evaluated how to get the best results for our political dollars.

With the full support of our union’s Executive Board, we are turning off the spigot to federal candidates and federal parties, party committees and the super PACs that are created to support them.

Historically, FIREPAC has made most of its contributions to federal candidates. But it’s time to send a clear message to all politicians at every level that the support of this IAFF is not automatic. It must be earned. 

The reputation of our members and our profession in the political arena must not be taken for granted. Our support comes with consequences for those who are working to kill this union, and we will hold accountable those supposed friends who don’t stand up for us.

Now more than ever, as our adversaries speak and act with a concerted, focused message, we need our friends to respond with similar strength and leadership to beat back the multi-faceted, well-organized assaults the right has launched at us – funded by anti-labor extremists like the multi-billionaire Koch brothers. And while we are fighting for our very survival, our friends aren’t doing enough to fight back -- they don’t have our backs. . .


We know we have legislative fights, ballot measures and re-call elections that will require us to be on the offensive at the state and local level through this fall. I expect this strategic decision to focus our resources on state and local efforts, and the freezing of federal contributions, to last as long as the fights in the states remain at such a high level and until we see some real results and leadership from those in Washington, DC on our members’ behalf.

Sticking together and having each other’s backs is part of this great profession we call “the job.” It’s the core principle of our political work. And sticking to it is what will ensure that we ultimately prevail in the fights we face across America today.

Frankly, I think more unions should follow suit. It might wake up the Democrats and propel them into taking some action to help workers and protect unions. The weaker that unions get, the worse the job situation gets for all workers (whether in a union or not). It's time for the politicians to be shook up. American worker don't need lip service, they need action -- action that will strengthen unions, create good jobs, protect benefits, and stop job outsourcing (and make the corporations pay their fair share of taxes).