Statement from the General President Regarding the Events in Huntington, WV (Parlock Vindicated!)

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades ^ | September 17, 2004 | James A. Williams

[Dont Mention the War]

Statement from the General President Regarding the Events in Huntington, WV

The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades believes in the fundamental right for civil discourse, freedom of speech and activism to support our candidates and issues.

What happened in Huntington, West Virginia yesterday is an affront to everything we, as a union, pride ourselves to represent. We extend our apologies to the Parlock family, especially Sophia, for the distress one of our overzealous members caused them.

I have personally taken steps to address this issue internally, and will take immediate disciplinary action to the full extent allowed under U.S. Department of Labor regulations and the constitution of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

It is my hope that this incident reminds all of our members that every last citizen in this country has the right to express his or herself freely. Not one single one of us has the right to tell them otherwise.

General President James A. Williams
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Another DIM Smeargate EXPOSED! PING

[ARA]

Damn right I did...

[Ciexyz]

I believed the story was true from the beginning, because I'm a former union member of the AFL-CIO, now retired, and I know how passionate the union faithful can get esp. when they're whipped up by the union paper and their stewards to get out there and fight for their working rights!

I'm sure the word is coming down thru channels to these overzealous thugs to cool it, it makes their candidate look bad.

[Petronski]

Nice. Nice. Nice.


Nice, because Parlock is vindicated.

Nice, because the Union did the right thing.

Nice, because the DUmmies are AGAIN repudiated.


LOL

[boxerblues]

Union apology, nothing from the thugs who did this

[Smartaleck]

"BTW, classy statement by Mr. Williams."

Yes it tis. Much more than Rather or Kerry have offered up regarding dispicable behavior.

[Ciexyz]

I don't see how they can dismiss the guy from his job. Maybe slap his wrist internally, but the guy would have too many avenues of appeal to fight a dismissal. And it would be bad for employee morale.

[Don Simmons]

I won't be satisfied until I see that punk on video getting his nuts stomped in.

But that's just my nature....

[Dont Mention the War]

I was prepared to belive Parlock was Joe Citizen, naively exercising his right to peaceably demonstrate in a public place ...... That means he should have known not to bring a three-year old, and it appears she has been put in harm's way as a prop.

It was a public place! It was a public airport. It was not an official rally. He had as much right to stand where he stood as anyone else. He was not interfering with a campaign event. Edwards was there to board a plane, not give a speech.

Being a Democrat does not give one the right to physically attack someone else for holding up a sign. Period.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

I Emailed Mr. Williams and the Local WV Union president. I was not kind in my response to their representatives actions caught on film.

Mr. Williams did the right thing in his response, and I will Email him again and think him for the action that he has taken.

Nonetheless, I am sure that the Freepers that sent in their Emails and phone calls of distaste for this Union's reprehensible acitons played a major part in Mr. Williams actions. WE MUST (and I know that we will) keep the pressure on the left and continue to hold them accountable.

The left's "No one is responsible for anything" excuses have ruined our schools, our media, our courts, and our government. We (Freepers & Bloggers) are the spearhead that is turning America back into a nation of responsible citizens. God Bless Free Republic.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Southack]

"Isn't this union one of the so called descendant unions from the old commy unions of the 1930/40's?"

I wouldn't know. I'm just asking why an *INTERNATIONAL* union is campaigning for Senator Edwards.

The AWB Has Expired - Gun Owners Have Won Again For All Americans!

[jimt]

General President James A. Williams deserves credit. I wouldn't want to be the bozo who tore up the little girl's sign. His union brothers will teach him the error of his ways.

[boxerblues]

He had no choice but to issue a statement. I logged onto all my accounts and emailed him as I think every poster on FR last night did. Nothing like coming in to the office inthe morning and finding your inbox overflowing with outrage

[68 grunt]

Good on you, General President James A. Williams. I appreciate it when someone stands up!

[Ciexyz]

CWA union was handing out flyers talking about how Kerry will support 2nd amendment....

Which Kerry...Flip or Flop?

[Coop]

I don't see how they can dismiss the guy from his job.

It's semantics, really. I said the labor bosses should dismiss him from the union, for publicly disgracing the org and conduct unbecoming. Most union jobs - if you aren't a member of the union, you don't have a job. So they would be indirectly firing him.

[Buttaboom]

I think I like Mr. Williams, very much.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

While I appreciate the comments by Mr. Williams, don't think he did it because of any true feelings of equality for all - he did it because the goon was caught on camera and he smelled a lawsuit or bad publicity....... period.