Posted on 05/12/2006 11:53:24 PM PDT by peggybac
ELECTION 2006 Unions threaten consumer boycott to dry up campaign contributions California labor groups warn national retailers: Oppose Reiner initiative, you'll be blackballed
Union supporters of a California ballot measure promising "Preschool for All" have threatened several national retailers with a nationwide boycott if their companies or major shareholders make contributions to the opposition campaign.
Representatives for the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic – major mall-based clothing retailers – were sent letters last week from the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees warning that a national action against all their stores would be taken if the Gap, its affiliates or any member of the Gap's founding family made a contribution to the No on Proposition 82 campaign, reports the Sacramento Bee.
Don Fisher, who founded the Gap, and his family also own Old Navy and Banana Republic.
"It is our hope that you come to the conclusion that opposing preschool for every child in California is bad for kids and bad for California," the letter, signed by SEIU's and AFSCME's presidents and SEIU's secretary treasurer, said. A donation of $25,000 by John Fisher, son of Gap's founder, to an anti-initiative group was noted, although he is not a member of the Gap board.
Nationally, SEIU and AFSCME represent 2.7 million members – a number that could grow if Proposition 82 passes, since it would permit collective bargaining for those employed by the new preschools.
Proposition 82's primary sponsor, "All in the Family" actor Rob Reiner, came under fire earlier this year for spending taxpayer funds on a television ad campaign to promote preschool for 4-year-olds.
The First 5 California Children and Families Commission, chaired by Reiner, launched the $23 million ad blitz just as Reiner began touting his "Preschool for All" campaign. The commission even titled its own campaign "Preschool for All."
Three of First 5's political consultants, who received $200,000 without a contract, later transferred to the Proposition 82 campaign.
After major newspapers in the state called for his resignation for benefiting his initiative effort with "one of the largest state-funded advertising campaigns ever in California," Reiner resigned. The Long Beach Telegraph called the expenditure a "self-aggrandizing, crony-coddling political campaign that is wrong and either is illegal or should be."
Proposition 82 would add a 1.7 percent tax on individual incomes over $400,000 and couples' incomes over $800,000. It is projected to raise $2.4 billion a year to fund voluntary preschool for all 4-year-olds.
Opponents argue the initiative would subsidize parents already paying for private preschool and create another costly mandate for California's troubled school system. Once established, the program would have to be fully funded by law, even during lean budget cycles.
The California Chamber of Commerce's analysis indicates less than 10 percent of the program's funding would be used to enroll new "at risk" children who aren't already served by existing preschools.
While a spokeswoman for the Gap said the company has taken no position on the initiative, made no contributions and has no plan to be involved in the campaign, the unions point to Don Fisher's involvement with the California Business Roundtable.
"He's not been outspoken publicly," "Yes on 82" campaign spokesman, Nathan James said of Fisher. "But in donor circles ... he's committed to fighting it by raising money against it."
After John Fisher's $25,000 contribution several months ago, Proposition 82 supporters began handing out leaflets at Gap stores around the state in an effort to send a message to other potential corporate donors – oppose us an you'll be picketed, too.
"The strategy for us was ... that perhaps it would slow down the money," John Jackson, one of the demonstrations' organizers said.
Proposition 82's supporters have raised over $9 million for the June measure, including $1.6 million from the two unions threatening to boycott the Gap.
"The Gap has to decide if they want to continue to play the part of corporate villain and continue to put children in harm's way," said a SEIU spokeswoman. "Or they can show their corporate leadership, reconsider their position and put California kids first."
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I hope this blows up in Rob Reiner's face. What an ass.
the unions are out of money after shooting their wad in the 2005 special election.
now they have to steal taxpayers money and threaten the opposition.
Unfortunately, it will probably pass. His last initiative passed, yet I really believe there was foul play there. When I read this article I was shaking I was so mad. And the libs call conservatives Nazis.
This is called money laundering. You pay consultant's exorbiant salaries (via the taxpayers), then the consultant can afford to work "for free" for the unions proposition campaign, or if the consulant fees are really big enough, the consultant can "donate" to the proposition campaign directly.
A meathead. Dead from the neck up.
ping for your reading.
If a Kentucky governor did that he'd be facing indictment. But a hollywood activist? Arnold should weigh in on this but hollywood has its own cabal - Arnie badmouthing Robbie would make The Oscars and uncomfortable evening and we wouldn't want that now would we?
I sure am not a lawyer but that sounds like extortion to me.
Name the companies. I'll support them till my last dime. Then I will need a cup of coffee.
Would you know the difference between his face and fat a$$?
Well, I was going to say that his face was the end that spoke.....
Then, I was going to mention that his face had all the hot air coming out of it.....
THEN, I just said: "Forget it."
it is not by accident that he will always be remembered by his monicker: MEATHEAD
Can anyone say EXTORTION?
More teacher greed. They cry and whine about class size, but when you give them more money it always goes to salary increases or more programs - never decreasing class sizes.
This is getting really close to the legal edge.
This is a myth built upon speculation. They can assess their memberships $200 per and have it all back and then some. For them, it's worth the money.
Maybe some day, conservatives will figure out that funding politics is worth their money too.
Well .. the last time CA unions forced a boycott of supermarkets .. it also backfired in their face. Seems the liberals just don't get it.
It's the unions who will suffer from this - because they will have to pay those workers who stay off the job - and that will mean LESS MONEY FOR THE DEMS IN THE STATE. LOL!!!
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