Posted on 07/30/2015 2:37:37 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - For Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, there's something awkward about the Harley-Davidson motorcycles that he has been posing on at presidential campaign stops: each one bears a sticker on its frame that reads "Union made in the USA."
Walker has made the iconic American brand a centerpiece of his campaign kick-off tour this month, visiting four dealerships and sometimes showing off his own 2003 Harley Road King as he seeks to harness its appeal to older white male voters.
But there is another side to Harley that the Republican candidate has been less vocal about - it is a leading example of a successful company that has a strong relationship with labor unions.
Walker, by contrast, has made his union-busting credentials the foundation of his White House bid, touting it as the prime example of his leadership success and as evidence of how he can defeat powerful vested interests and even foreign enemies.
It's not clear how he can reconcile his love of the powerful, deep-rumbling bikes known as "hogs" with the strong union loyalties of those who build them.
Some of the people who build Harleys - more than a thousand of whom are unionized workers in Wisconsin - are fuming over Walker's prominent use of the bikes in his campaign.
"He's trying to make a name for himself by saying 'I took on 100,000 union workers' - and he's on our bikes," said Andy Voelzke, 57, who works at Harley's plant just outside Milwaukee and is a member of the United Steelworkers union.
"It's just such a contradiction."(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
If you think that, then you missed MY point...which was to SUPPORT your point, and add to it. I don't like unions in the private or public sector, but if they can compete in the private market, so be it. In the public sector, however, they are immoral and unsustainable. I also think laws forcing unionized private firms are about as immoral as public unions. I've written widely on unions for over a decade.Often the national office of RTW will link to my work. I think I get it.
are you suggesting he should be pro union?
That's the liberal media for you. Creating an entire slam story using "some of the people who build Harleys".
You could find "some of the people" in any dang company who was for or against any candidate.
-PJ
I am strongly against public unions. As far as private-sector unions, their usefulness has come and gone. They were instrumental in getting a 40 hour work week, pensions, etc. However, they also are responsible for many businesses closing as management would not succumb to their demands. The unions were also responsible for eliminating child labor. I merely was stating that there is a distinction between public and private - not that I agree with them. Having said that, I know of many instances where a private untion has saved a worker’s job from unfair labor practices and unjust termination. What I hate about public sector is that these people can’t be fired - no matter how incompetent and corrupt they are. And, believe me, many of them fit that category. Instead, if they are found to be corrupt or charged with a crime, they get administrative leave with full pay. This doesn’t happen in the private sector, and it is wrong.
wonder if he’ll be shaking hands at the Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis next week?
I had to reread what you wrote. I wasn’t necessarily referencing you with my comments about LIV - just making a point that many aren’t aware of the difference between public and private unions - and they aren’t.
The Teacher’s union is still present & accounted for. Governor Walker gave the teachers a choice by making it non-compulsory. If anyone is “busting” the union its the teachers themselves.
The ‘70s called. They want their meme back.
I agree with you 100% about the ignorance of the population on unions...public versus private...and well, almost every other issue as well.
agree with every syllable of post 26.
One article about 4-5 years ago was entitled “End Public Sector Unions...Now.”
:-)
...ruh roh.....we can't go there now apparently.
By the way, here’s that article......and I even base it on what Walker (and at the time, Christie) were doing about public sector unions in their two states.
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2011/02/end_public_sector_unionsperiod.html
“”” What I hate about public sector is that these people can’t be fired - no matter how incompetent and corrupt they are.”””
What I hate about them is that the people paying the bills, the taxpayer, has virtually no say in how the “company” is run. In fact, if taxpayer opens his mouth about it he is threatened with all kinds of harm for doing so.
Yeah. Leaky Harley’s are 70s phenomenon. But ‘meme’ is 2015 phenomenon so I won’t use them in the same sentence.
My favorite trashable Harley deal from back then was AMF. Wow, how that almost killed HD. And AMF had the gaul to put the big AMF letters right on the tank as if it were something to brag about.
If I was going to buy a new large v-twin road machine it just might be one of the gorgeous retro Indian bikes currently built by Polaris.
I’m kind of partial to the Victory Hammer. Alas, my meager disposable income won’t permit owning yet another ride.
True, except when I give a sh!t less about the clown in the clown car!
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