Unions, Our Progressive Allies-- Take Two, Georgia Episode

Like I said the other day, unions aren't always dependable progressive allies. It looks like John Barrow has gotten to the Georgia statewide AFL-CIO's Richard Ray. You might find this Communications Workers of America letter as interesting as I did:

All GA Local Presidents

All GA Retirees' Chapter Presidents

Communications Workers of America

May 26, 2010

 
Dear Presidents,

We attended the GA AFL-CIO COPE Meeting last week. During the discussion pertaining to the GA12th Congressional District, I thought at times this meeting closely resembled one that might be conducted by Rush Limbaugh. We opposed the endorsement of John Barrow, because after telling us he was for Healthcare reform and even campaigned on the need for HC Reform, he did everything he could to defeat the Bill in Congress. It did not matter if it was a procedural vote on the Bill or the actual vote. He was against CWA, our retirees, the AFL-CIO resolved to make healthcare better and more affordable for all Americans, the AMA, the AARP and the Alliance for Retired Americans. In other words, he was for the unsustainable status quo. This is nonsense.
 
I was shocked and extremely disappointed that Richard Ray who chaired the meeting actually entered the debate and actively opposed us while he controlled the gavel. Allowing so much bad information to be published which we were not permitted to refute. Such as Tasso Knight saying since Obama Healthcare was adopted he received a letter from ATT telling him about his premiums would have to go up. Another speaker bringing up the ATT charge back. We were not allowed to refute this misleading garbage. After the fact, Richard did apologize and say he was wrong for speaking. That is like a person picking up a gun intentionally pointing it at another person pulling the trigger and say I apologize I was wrong.

The President of the Savannah Central Labor Council, told us that not a single member of that labor council supported John Barrow. They are the 12th Congressional District of GA. This endorsement is unbelievable.
 
Regina Thomas his opponent in the Democratic Primary has been a strong ally and friend of working families, retirees, and senior citizens in both Houses of the GA General Assembly. Her word is the bond.

Thanks for the many, many, many good things in the Healthcare Bill! The efforts of John Barrow to the contrary notwithstanding.
 
I will talk with you all very soon.
 
Thanks,
James Starr
Political Coordinator
GA CWA Retired Members
President Metro Atlanta
Chapter (30901)

At least Obama won't be endorsing Barrow this time. According to the DNC, the president won't be cutting spots for any Democrats who voted against healthcare reform. That's good for Regina Thomas, good for Jim Wilson and good for Claudia Wright, all of whose campaigns you can find on Blue America's BadDogs page.

And if you'd like to see this video on the air in Savannah, Vidalia, Statesboro, Augusta, Milledgeville... even in Screven County and Glascock County, stick some money into the Blue America PAC slot.




UPDATE: I Wonder If Richard Ray Reads The NY Times

Today's Times covers organized labor's valiant fight to hold the corrupt and reactionary Blanche Lincoln accountable. She's certainly is neither more corrupt nor more reactionary than Barrow. And they are both equally opposed to the legitimate aspirations of working families. But it looks like Ray was able to override the wishes of working Georgians while the national leadership was busy in Arkansas.

The unions have made the race here the centerpiece of a new effort to hold union-backed candidates accountable for their votes after they are elected.

The push is fueled by a frustration that goes back years but that peaked in the health care debate and in the failure of the Democratic-led Senate to bring far-reaching pro-union legislation to the floor. Even as unions lose members and bargaining power across the country, their campaign against Mrs. Lincoln shows that they are determined to flex their political muscles more than ever before.

“We’re sending a message here,” said Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America. “Our members have had it-- not just in Arkansas, they have had it across this country.”

Hopefully someone will tell Richard Ray.