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Labor's lukewarm welcome - Unions divided over guest worker programs
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/10/6 | George Raine

Posted on 05/10/2006 7:48:32 AM PDT by SmithL

The labor movement, founded on the principle of worker solidarity, is seriously divided over the "guest worker" program proposed as part of immigration reform legislation.

Guest worker programs allow foreigners to enter the United States temporarily to take select jobs.

The idea is favored by the Service Employees International Union and other unions whose ranks include lots of immigrants. Support for the idea has become part of the drive to make the union movement relevant to new groups of workers.

"I think it is another example of old versus new, status quo versus progress and change,'' said Sal Rosselli, the president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West. About 40 percent of the members of his union are immigrants.

But the idea is opposed by the AFL-CIO, labor's largest confederation, and other unions that say such programs cast workers into second-class status and depress wages.

"Guest worker program are a bad idea and harm all workers,'' AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: illegals; unionthugs

1 posted on 05/10/2006 7:48:32 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

"It's the DUES, stupid..."


2 posted on 05/10/2006 7:50:22 AM PDT by xcamel (Press to Test, Release to Detonate)
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To: SmithL
"I think it is another example of old versus new, status quo versus progress and change,'' said Sal Rosselli, the president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West. About 40 percent of the members of his union are immigrants.

...about half of this clowns membership...thats alot of union dues he's watching go out the window...shame shame... Mr Rosselli is worried about the $$$$$$ and his pocket

3 posted on 05/10/2006 7:52:21 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF...8th TFW...Ubon Thailand...408thMMS..."69"...Night Line Delivery...AMMO!!)
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To: SmithL

This is really schizo stuff. Loads of illegal immigrants driving wages down is NOT in the best interests of union members. However, it IS in the best interest of the union leadership which is made up of demonRAT partisans.

But then, the spectacle of union bosses working against their own workers' interests is nothing new.


4 posted on 05/10/2006 8:01:44 AM PDT by Seruzawa (If you agree with the French raise your hand - If you are French raise both hands.)
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To: Seruzawa

Gosh, do we get more dues or do we allow lower wages. What's a socialist to do.

Here is a myth in the making, illegals get paid very low wages,
NO they actually don't, they get above minimum, it;s the taxes the employer doesn't have to pay to employ them the employers like.


5 posted on 05/10/2006 8:08:47 AM PDT by stopem (To allow a bunch of third world country nationals to divide Americans is unconscionable!)
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To: stopem

Just received this note: Sounds like a plan!

Subject: Trash detail


I have a friend who is president of his homeowner's association down in Washington. They are having a terrible problem with trash on the side of the road that is around his association's homes. The reason according to (my friend) is, there is being built just next to them, six new homes.....big ones! He said the trash is coming from the Mexican work crews working at the construction sites. (McDonald bags, Burger King wrappers, etc). He has pleaded with the site supervisors and the general contractor to no avail, called the City, County, and the Police and got no help.
So..................They organized about twenty folks, named themselves The "Inner Neighborhood Services" to go out at lunch time and "police" the trash themselves. It is what they did while picking up the trash that is great.
They got some navy blue baseball caps and had the initials "INS" in gold put on the caps. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, however, to understand what they hoped people would think it means. Well the day after their first pick up detail, with them wearing their caps and some carrying cameras; 46 out of 68, of the construction workers did not show up for work the next morning!!!!!!!!.........and haven't come back yet!!!!! It has been ten days.
Now the General Contractor, I understand is madder than hell, but can't say anything publicly, because he could be busted for hiring "illegal aliens". But there is no more trash - all the home owners really wanted.


6 posted on 05/11/2006 8:27:19 AM PDT by j35jazz (Replacements)
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To: j35jazz

Citizen action! I love it! But they'll be lucky if they don't get charged with a hate crime for "creating a climate of fear and intimidation." ;)


7 posted on 05/11/2006 8:30:47 AM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("When the government is invasive, the people are wanting." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: j35jazz

Great idea!! LOL :)

Good ole American ingenuity!!


8 posted on 05/11/2006 9:03:27 AM PDT by stopem (To allow a bunch of third world country nationals to divide Americans is unconscionable!)
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