Unions frame bargaining as civil rights issue

By Sam Hananel

Associated Press

Published: Friday, March 11 2011 9:48 a.m. MST

Summary

Labor unions at the heart of a burning national disagreement over the cost of public employees want to frame the debate as a civil rights issue, an effort that may draw more sympathy to public workers being blamed for busting state budgets with generous pensions.

While unions are on the verge of losing power in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states, union leaders believe they are winning the war of public opinion and pulling in broader support.

"The movement is bigger than just the labor movement," United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard said. "What we're seeing is an awakening about the importance of collective bargaining."

Labor leaders already have pledged to pour more than $30 million into a push to stop legislation in dozens of states that seeks to limit bargaining rights of public worker unions or otherwise curb union power. Union officials are also helping mobilize demonstrations in state capitols and spending money on recall campaigns against GOP officials who support efforts to curb union rights.

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conservative scientist

Lindon, UT

I wonder what would happen if we gave our military members power to strike or to form unions? They don't have this right and it should be obvious to all of us why this is the case.

The power of non-government unions has diminished More..

11:12 a.m. March 11, 2011
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gp1942

Bountiful, UT

This article shows how the left "spins" things. Definition of Spin: to white wash a lie so that it appears pallatable; to make wrong look right; to make bad look good; in other words, to deceive. This is the agenda of left.

11:42 a.m. March 11, 2011
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