Hasn’t the SEIU wasted enough of its members’ money?
I’ve gotten several enraged e-mails from rank-and-file SEIU members who have been leaned on by their leaders to campaign against Arizona’s immigration enforcement law.
From reader A.:
I am a member of SEIU because, as an employee of Los Angeles County I have to be, and today I received an email from their office detailing how I can get a free seat on a bus from L.A. to Phoenix…to protest SB 1070. I am furious over this and wrote an email back to them to tell them so. I forget to mention to them I am especially upset over them using my dues to pay for this bus and the trip. I fully support the intent of SB 1070, all the efforts of Gov. Jan Brewer, and the efforts of “Stand with Arizona”…I believe our borders should be firmly closed, and Mexicans should stand in line with all other would-be emigres from all other countries, get a passport and visa like everyone else, and come here legally…Further, we are the only country in the world that has wide-open borders and lets in criminals along with elderly women who only want to be maids. What on earth are we thinking? This will ruin our country! Thanks for all you are doing.
Hasn’t the SEIU wasted enough of its members’ money?
$10 million down the drain in Arkansas for the Purple Army’s failed bid to unseat Democrat Blanche Lincoln.
$10 million on a nasty lawsuit against a competing union in California.
Untold millions in fatcat pension funds and lavish deals for former SEIU head Andy Stern’s hand-selected cronies.
Another $44 million budgeted for left-wing political lobbying in the coming election cycle.
Who knows how much on transporting SEIU radicals to bully bank execs and their families at their private residences.
Oh, and that $40,000 payment to former SEIU heavy-turned-Obama domestic political adviser Patrick Gaspard which he somehow forgot to report to the most transparent administration in American history.
Down the drain.
No wonder more and more rank-and-file union workers are revolting against the Big Labor thugs.
Let me know if you are one of them. And stay safe.
***
Commenter Itooktheredpill asks: “How about: Hasn’t the SEIU wasted enough of taxpayers’ money?”
Yes, indeed. Until there is a systemic internal revolt by rank-and-file members over how their leaders spend their dues, SEIU will continue to succeed in siphoning off and squandering our money.
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Well, I am not a union thug or even a union member. And I have no plans to be one any time soon if I can avoid it.
This sounds a little bit like corruption. Maybe Michelle could investigate it and write a book…
Hats off to anyone who uses emigre in an email conversation.
I dont understand, with the job outlook being what it is, how any union member can be in favor of open borders, or amnesty. It just dilutes the pool of workers who can be hired to do the same work for less. Wasnt that the purpose of a union in the first place; to keep pay and benefits higher? Doesn’t make sense to me at all.
You said it!
(with apologies to Mel Brooks and the Three Stooges)
Don’t forget the Teachers Union also. They spend more on political campaigns then they do on furthering education or the welfare of its members.
Maybe if these con artists quit raiding their dues treasury they wouldn’t be having the pension fund problems they are having.
I’m not sure why more and more members aren’t rising up and demanding that this madness stop and refuse to pay dues.
I don’t have any problem with SEIU wasting their members’ money. The less money those communists have the better.
Their members are no different than the average voter…there are consequences to electing liberals.
Yes. And how about
Every big bailout includes millions, if not BILLIONS of dollars that go to SEIU, ACORN, etc.
It’s a patronage system for Communist Revolutionaries.
Tea Party protesters pay their own way to get to protest events. SEIU not only pays the way for their “protesters”, but often pays them cash to attend!
Our tax dollars at work.
THIS MUST STOP!!!
They just need more ignorant union workers. The ones they now have are way too smart for the usage they intend.
Frankly unions are no longer needed in MHO. As a teenager I worked at a trunk rental company when the union tried to come in and organize us. We told them to take a hike by a unanimous vote! They were NOT happy campers. Since I was already getting more than minimum wage I didn’t see any need to get a tiny bit more and have to pay union dues even as a part time employee.
I did not re-new my aarp or nra membership because they are using my dues for things I do not believe in. I feel sorry for people who HAVE to join and pay dues to an union to get a job.
L
Not at all, not nearly enough. You have to understand, from SEIU leadership point of view its money well invested and not wasted as long as its used to advance and achieve union goals and as long as the source isn’t the leaders own pockets. The fact that it probably not what the rank and file want or expect from its leadership and that the rank and file is getting screwed is irrelevant. Also why SEIU is eager to get shamnesty through. To increase union ranks and suck up even more union dues from their new members in order to buy more politicans and to wield more power.
I work for a government agency here in California. I am required, by state law, to pay an “agency fee” to SEIU even though I am not a member of the union. It’s legalized extortion, and it costs me $1,200 each year.
The next time we have a Republican congress and a Republican president, their first order of business should be a national Right to Work law that will de-fund unions across the country. If workers are not forced to pay, most won’t, and there goes the political slushfund.
Maybe, if you have to be a member of a union to work in LA government, it’s time to start a new union.
An interesting thought, no?
I still do not see how compulsory union dues are allowed to be used for political speech. This seems to be unconstitutional as the member does not have direct control over their money being used for political speech they disagree with.
I know that here in WA ST some of the teachers sued the WEA for this very reason and won the lawsuit in front of the Supreme Court. The high court ruled that non-member compulsory dues could not be used for political purposes without the expressed consent of the non-member. The WEA had to refund a bunch of money to the teachers in the suit.
Wow a story similar to Tom Brokaw is a Democrat. Talk about stating the obvious.
Unions have pillaged their members for decades, especially their pension funds. You know the funds that Obama wants us to bail out.
As my last post stated The US Supreme Court found that unions can not use compulsory non-member dues for political speech without their permission. Here is some more information regarding that
“All for one!”
“One for all!”
“Every man for himself!”
- RESTLESS KNIGHTS, 1935
According to this there are 22 ‘right to work’ states in the US. (Includes pros – cons.)
As stated earlier, elections have consequences. Suggest that the disgruntled union employees support legislators willing to change the rules of their state if they don’t like what’s going on.
I know that’s a question I’ll start asking some candidates for state rep.
But isn’t this a self defeating action on the part of the union?
Do they really think illegal immigrants are going to join a union, bring down “da man” and let workers take over from the bourgeoisie?
The impact of the SEIU’s direction is union workers will lose jobs and the jobs that remain will be lower paying jobs.
While I’m sure the SEIU is doing this, its just one more way the left is shooting themselves in the proverbial feet.
Off topic, but have you noticed just how well the Obama and Biden “Summer of Recovery” is going over. Consumer confidence pluges in the month of June leading the DOW to plummet 200+ points!
Let’s not forget that the new labor secretary has said that she will help “non-documented workers get the wages they deserve”. So the union is looking at these as new union members. I would not be surprised if there was a co-ordinated effort between the labor sec and the unions.
The SoCal cities of Lake Elsinore and Hemet just voted to support SB1070. The Inland Empire is closer politically to Arizona than to LaLaLand. Hey SEIU, boycott the IE, take your bus ride to Arizona via Tiajuana.
Have a nice trip to Mexico, just remember to bring your papers.
It’s all planned. Destroy our economy and individual wealth so we must all be dependent upon our masters in government and share equally in misery.
There are currently 22 states with Right to Work laws … See the map here to see where you need to move … you will not be surprised to find that the most corrupt states with the largest deficits and unemployment numbers have “forced-union” laws …
“non-documented workers get the wages they deserve”
And when she said that I wanted to ask, “From whom? Where is the money coming from?”
There are even democrats who have turned against increases in taxes. Deficits are at their limit. The pretend endless supply of real money is starting to be seen for what it is. Pretend.
So madam secretary, from whom are you going to obtain these wages for illegal immigrants?
The plan to grow the union with illegal immigrants and hence illegal workers is counter productive and if I were a union member I’d be asking some hard questions of my leadership.
GladzKravtz …
Looks like we were thinking along the same lines there …
DesertLover, you bet! And I agree w/what you said:
I was surprised to see Nevada as a RTW state. Isn’t the SEIU quite powerful there?
“Destroy our economy and individual wealth so we must all be dependent upon our masters in government and share equally in misery.”
Again could be. Not saying that isn’t the plan. But the government has no wealth. The government has nothing of its own to pay anyone. So if they destroy the economic engine that is capitalism, then what? There is nothing to give anyone.
Look at Greece, Spain, probably Europe in general.
Why is it so hard for conservative leadership to point out where the left’s current sales job leads us?
Its not rocket science.
I also believe the majority of Americans get it. It is the committed minority, committed to leftism or socialism, etc., that continues to drive into the obvious wall right in their faces.
I can’t imagine a better time to teach people about conservatism.
Useful idiots of the world unite!!!! Let the buyer beware or union dues may contribute to global socialist causes and not serve the members.
Looking further down the road, this will benefit Unions. Sure they will lose jobs in the short term, but adding Dem voters (via amnesty) will give Democrats enough power to force everyone to pay union dues (as posted earlier: Extortion fees).
I’ll say, they stink on ice.
This is the same argument I use against things like the Nat’l Endowment for the Arts and gov’t payouts to charities.
If I would not benefact an artist or donate to a specific charity, why should I be forced by proxy (my tax dollars) to do this?
Even at the state and local level this should be stopped. Where I live the city council has put up some pretty bizarre “sculptures.” I don’t care if the artist is “local” or is considered a genius. If the gov’t commissions an artist to create a monument to say, local war dead, then fine. That is a noble cause. If the reason for wasting the money on artsy projects is to have the city to be considered more “metropolitan” then, no.
If the Dems in power can FORCE me to buy “Government Approved” health insurance (that I do not need or want), then they can surely FORCE you to pay union dues, whether you want it or not (because you surely do not need it).
Next thing you know, they’ll be forcing you to buy health insurance. Oh, wait.
I disagree with a specific state being “right to work.” If one U.S. citizen has a right to work then ALL U.S. citizens have a right to work.
In the case Kent vs Dulles the Supreme Court even said that the right to work may be the most important right of all.
Next the gov will be forcing us to work at a job of their choosing.
“will give Democrats enough power to force everyone to pay union dues”
Sorry but I’ll ask you the same question I’d like to ask the Sec. of Labor.
Pay dues from WHAT?
What do you think unemployed workers pay fees from?
So the leftist grow in size as a party due to illegal immigrants. The economy will continue to tank. No one has any money to pay taxes, union dues, mortgages, etc.
So this imaginary plan/scheme of the left, explain to me how it survives reality?
Again look at Greece, look at Chavez in Venezuela.
The plan doesn’t work. Growing unions with illegal immigrants doesn’t work in general and it shoots union workers in their own feet. Its a shell game, a three card monte at best.
Where are the voices on a national level from conservatives pointing out the scam?
JamieD
Somebody owes somebody a Coke.
Talk about those “evil greedy capitalists” has been misplaced. The “evil greedy people” mantra should be directed at voluntary union members and the unions. They are truly the evil and the greedy.
Unions used to serve a purpose, but like the NRA is doing now, they got into bed with the givernment (misspelling intentional), specifically the dimocrats and soiled their sheets. Now their purpose is only to further the dimocrat agenda. Instead of helping workers get better wages, they’re helping illegal workers get to the voting booths. It amazes me that people still participate in these useless organizations.
Exactly, it Does. Not. Work. But when has ever stopped a progressive or Marxist agenda?
Even the NY Times is connecting the dots folks. Where are the conservative voices doing the same?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/opinion/28krugman.html
Overheard at SEIU Headquarters:
Thing 1: “Hey… Michelle Malkin says we’re wasting our members’ money…”
Thing 2: “Members? We have members?
Tell them the captain wants to go water skiing…”
“when has ever stopped a progressive or Marxist agenda?”
When people who understand it doesn’t work take action, make a stand, and educate others.
Hmm…. Ronald Reagan somehow comes to mind……
Here is WA ST we have that too:
To be clear I’m not suggesting Krugman is a conservative. Just that even the NY Times is looking forward and seeing what is coming.
And lets face it…unions are basically mobsters trying to strong arm people into paying them off under the guise of “organizing for the welfare of it’s members”. They’re “organized”, that’s for sure.
Tony Two Toes: We’re from the local 129th, sonny.
Mikey: We heard you was loading a ship without the assistance of bonefide union labor. Say it ain’t so.
Tony Two Toes: Lemme explain somethin’ to ya, sonny boy. Nothin’ moves off these docks without it don’t get loaded by the union. I don’t see no union people around here. Do you?
So, the unions will receive less from each member, but the members will have increased exponentially (due to forced union membership), so the net gain is tremendous. At least until the people revolt (naturally).
Everything Obama has done has promoted or benefited the Unions and weakened Capitalism.
Get.The.Bums.OUT! B they D or b they R
Here is an interesting story. It looks like the unions are looking for a bailout for their pensions now
jsmiddleton4 …
LMAO … qoutes from Steven Segal movies? …
“so the net gain is tremendous.”
The only thing they gain are unemployed union members.
Greece workers are striking because they don’t like the cuts in benefits, etc. Ok, so they strike? There still isn’t any money in Greece to pay those benefits.
Sooner or later being bankrupt catches up with one.
The leadership on the right needs to start pointing out these dots and making the connections AND then letting people reach their own conclusions.
Once people wake up on their own, we’ll be ok. We are after all Americans!
If the right thinks they can tell us what to do and believe, as they tried since the Contract with America, we will not have the kind of resurgence of conservative values we need and seek.
Talk about the current SEIU’s plan, talk it all the way through……
People will get it for themselves.
“Steven Segal”
Nope. You have the wrong movie.
There is no more money to bail out anything. At the G20 world leaders made that clear to Obama.
The party is over. No more borrowing from Peter to pay Paul so that everything appears “good”.
***
Jimmy Hoffa and his Teamsters Union were the epitome of corrupt unions. Links to the Mafia and corrupt politicians, theft of the worker’s pensions, murders, etc.
***
Beau James got his “buckwheats”. And the Feds took over control of the Teamsters and tried to reform it.
***
It’s time to vote out Comrade Obama (PBUH) and his congressional ilk. And then to have an honest Federal Justice Department “community organize” SEIU–just like they did when the cleaned up the old Teamsters. The workers need their money more than the union bosses and the crooks do.
***
John Bibb
***
The problem is that union membership is compulsory in Union shops. That regulation needs to be eliminated. People should be free to join a union or to decline to join. The business or other organization should have the option to tell the union to get stuffed.
jsmiddleton4
ok … but I know I have seen the movie that is from …
I’m sure you knew it at one time but it has been erased from your memory.
Off to do chores….
I can tell you that Missouri has suffered due to it’s forced unionism which was implemented a couple of decades ago. Since then,Missouri has lost every auto plant except one. Missouri used to be the second biggest auto producing state behind Michigan. Missouri lost it’s 3m plant in Columbia, it’s Bull Moose Tube plant, it’s McDonnel Douglas facilities and it’s Anheuser Busch franchise company. I drive past the closed and up for sale
Chrysler plants (5 million sf) and the wonderful UAW local facilities across the street and wonder if the union members have figured out that they need an employer to pay their fees.
OT, a little. News in the WSJ says that the new GM is gearing up for an IPO in July. Hmmm, wonder how many investors will want to jump in and take their chances.
Hah! After the “Grand Theft Auto” that took place earlier? Not a chance.
er, a point of order! They are called ‘Boeing’ now.
Gotta throw this in whenever I see a fellow sufferer.
Remember to vote August 3rd against ObamaCare! The people of MO get to vote in/out of ObamaCare.
jsmiddleton4
ok … got it … Eraser …
It’ll be interesting to watch how the offering fares. They’re probably figuring there’s a lot of investors with amnesia.
Gladz & cheapseat–there are several of us Missourians suffering. If I get one more McCaskill email, I’m gonna mccasKILL sumthin’
LOL DesertLover–awesome!
But I still loves me some Steven Seagal movies. I even have a favorite quote…
“…if I find out you’re lying, I’ll come back & kill you in your own kitchen.”–Above the Law
spaceycakes …
Yep … I had it confused with the dock scene in Hard to Kill …
…
Recently I bought Season One of the 80s TV series “Highway To Heaven”. It is always humorous to see those instances of divine retribution at work in some of the episodes. Wouldn’t you just love to hear of the SEIU bus breaking down in the middle of the desert when the outside temperatures are approaching 110 degrees??
Actually, if they go to Arizona, they’ll likely end up pumping some money into the State’s economy. So much for the boycott!!
To show solidarity with the ‘undocumented workers’ they should pack them into the backs of panel trucks with no water for the ride.
Unions have destroyed other nations, and will collapse ours too, unless we demand that they be dissolved, and THEIR money redistributed to their former members. They must be made illegal.
There is absolutely no reason to have a union in this country…labor laws have made them unnecessary to their original stated mission…the protection of workers.
I love ‘Hard to Kill’–I have it on vhs. There’s a good line in it too–
“I’ll take you to the bank—the blood bank.”
At least for the worker the original mission is secondary. Now the reason for unions to exist is for union leadership to gain and maintain wealth and political influence through collection of dues.
Now, wouldn’t it be dandy for TEH WON to sign an executive order authorizing immediate amnesty , continue to create financial crises, and eventually nationalize every aspect of commerce and industry so we all end up union lackeys working for him.
Someone a couple weeks ago brought up a good point. What is the purpose (supposedly) of a union? To protect the workers from abuse by the employer.
Why are there government employee unions? Is there fear that the government will abuse its employees?
But who is supposed to protect the workers from abuse by the union????
Hawkeye beat me to it, but he’s completely right. The leadership of SEIU are all libtards who have no problems blowing other people’s money. If a company gets saddled with a union because it’s gyping employees it deserves what it gets, but if a union is foisted on a company or organization because of politics, then the union needs to be abolished. That a union can extort funds from employee pay makes them as bad as a wasteful government.
Be careful you might just give them an idea for another layer of bueracracy. They may decide to start a union that ensures the the other union is doing its job properly and charge the employees dues for that as well.
Our teenageed son just got his first job and had to join SEIU. He’s enough of a pisser to actually go on a bus trip like that and demonstrate in support of the AZ law, union leadership be damned.
`He’s enough of a pisser to actually go on a bus trip like that and demonstrate in support of the AZ law, union leadership be damned.
Funniest thing is that while SEIU may think it is growing its union numbers, a large majority of illegals are low skilled workers such as those in the SEIU. Those jobs are not growing. They are being taken from Americans by illegals. Hows that for gall. Give me your money so we can bring in more illegals to take your jobs.
I remember reading in the WSJ that SEIU has 2 pensions plans. One for the peons and one for management. The peons’ pension was loosing money while management’s plan was making money.
Who would have thought such a thing was possible?
“systemic internal revolt by rank-and-file members”
Gee, that needs some kind of appropriate name. “Tea Party”, perhaps?
I am one of those seiu members who has been doing a slow boil. Here in CA, we’ve had to deal with the battle between andy stern (seiu) and sal roselli (nuhw) while they fight over the members. We’re worth millions, you know! There really is no lesser of two evils, we’ve just got evil vs. evil. I just want to do my job, but it’s a requirement to belong to the union. I’m going tomorrow to HR and find out what my options are about changing my union dues (I’ve been told I can donate the amount of my dues to a non-profit, non-religious charity instead of going to seiu.) I will also send a letter to eliseo, the new leader who replaced stern as he goes on to bigger and better things, right there in the WH as barry’s best friend. I’ve discovered that in this past election, seiu donated “ZERO” to candidates I support. All dues donations went to liberal candidates…..sickening!!! And now they are working even harder to get immigration reform, something that would take away even more jobs from Americans, giving them to illegals. Yeah, I’m going to enjoy sending my money to a charity I believe in, probably something PRO-LIFE!!!