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UNIONS OUTSOURCING

By Ben Adler - Jul 25th, 2007 at 1:53 pm EDT

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Tags: activism, labor

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The Washington Post had an interesting front page story yesterday on the carpenters union's habit of using unemployed people, typically pulled from homeless shelters or SROs and paid around $8 per hour, to picket outside buildings that use non-union construction labor. I tend to side with critics of this practice. I think that for passersby to see sometimes disheveled or unenthusiastic picketers doesn't create a very positive image of the labor movement. Also paying people just a couple bucks more than minimum wage with no benefits seems hypocritical. I'd urge unions to instead hire a few full-time grassroots activists to whom they pay a living wage plus benefits and can present their message more effectively.

cross-posted on TAPPED.

Reader Comments

keeping their story alive

By Zach Marks Jul 25th 2007 at 2:06 pm EDT

today was the first day the protesters at 1100 13th street had use of the 12-foot rat.

it might not "create a very positive image of the labor movement" but at least it helps the unions get their voices heard. They already have "a few full-time grassroots activists." They're the ones who supervise the protesters to make sure they don't appear too "disheveled or unenthusiastic."

plus, they hook up the free bagels. Link

That union's leadership is moronic

By jr Jul 25th 2007 at 2:32 pm EDT

Doug McCarron is a power-hungry wingnut. He destroyed local autonomy, helped ULLICO fall into disgrace several times, and traded the interests of working Americans for a chance to ride with Dubya on AF1 a few times (not to mention endorsing Bush in 2004, despite his incredibly anti-labor first term). I can't say I'm surprised in the least that his crew is using non-union day labor for, of all things, picket duty. Why not use that cash to keep the families of members who walk the line fed and housed instead?

Much as I want Change to Win to be a successful force in reasserting labor's role in the workplace, I think AFL-CIO is better off without McCarron and I hope CtW gets wise and starts monitoring his actions a little closer, because I'm sure there will be more stories like this.

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