Union Boss Admits Coercing Union Activism

Maybe "buying" would be a better term, but the proverbial cat is out of the bag thanks to a piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

You're probably familiar with those huge rallies by union folk in support of this or that (liberal and far-left) political cause that then show up on your (liberal and far-left) TV news shows that night.

Impressive, huh? Except that the participating union members are often forced into attending, and if not coerced, then induced with visions of sugar-plum fairies and the other good stuff in life like lavish pensions and overtime pay for not working.

James A. Williams, president of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades in Philadelphia, has a telling tactic. He reduces union dues on unemployed members (which, of course, brings up a couple of questions--why do they have to pay dues when they're not working, and why isn't the union finding them jobs?) to a buck a month and forgives the rest--provided they render political activity support.

As the Prez explains:

So instead of having the big drop in membership, this way here, we utilize them for political events, we can keep them informed on various things and still keep them as active members.

And we can expect unions to play fair if they can organize a plant with card check?

Sure, about as much as you can trust a fox with your hens.