From Inside The AFL CIO Endorsement Conference ALL Christiecrats lose AFL CIO backing

AFL-CIO will split (1.00 / 3)

If Norcross and Sweeney and Whelan and Van Drew do not get the endorsement of the State AFL-CIO the organization will be no more.

The Building Trades will walk out .

You can also expect some review of the favorable laws that were passed about 30 years ago which force government workers to pay into a union.

I say put it up for a fair, open vote of government  workers and let them decide who , if anyone will represent them.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 21:05:08 PM UTC

All Christiecrats are losing (4.00 / 2)

The AFL-CIO is abandoning all Christiecrats. Norcorss is pleading for his endorsement now but based on results so far, he isn't going to like the results either.
There was actuallya  shouting match after Sweeney LOST his endorsement.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 21:10:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

BS (3.00 / 1)

The unions could not support people who voted against Collective bargaing, I wish they endorsed their opponents, Screw the Trade Unions, see  if they support anyone who votes to do away with prevailing wages  

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by: JamesNJ60 @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 00:51:27 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Whelan is not worth it (4.00 / 1)

I will personally help the opposition to oust this slug.  I'm embarrassed for the entire teaching profession that he should be included with them. His was the ultimate betrayal, and he has the cajones to call himself a teacher.  Someone should rethink the evaluation for that unpolished steaming pile of waste.

There is no political party to represent me now.

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by: HurtPillow @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 02:30:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

The building trades walked out just like the (3.50 / 2)

hard hats beat up people protesting Nixon forty years ago.  Probably half the building trades people voted for Reagan too thus sowing the seeds of the destruction of the union movement, just because they were forced to accept minority union members and end the nepotism that infected these corrupt unions for years.  

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by: FormerBureaucrat @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 02:56:03 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Don't believe the conservative hype! (3.00 / 1)

 The honeymoon with conservatives and labor ended suddenly when Reagan showed his fangs against the Air Traffic Controllers in the early 80s. The media always overstated working people's support of conservatives anyway, IMHO. (So-called "reagan democrats") I don't think the number of people in the trades who are Republican is anywhere near half. Sweeney represents one relatively small local in South Jersey, he is not speaking for millions of people in several unions.

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by: RustyBuckets @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 22:53:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I guess Sweeney's true Republican colors are exposed (4.00 / 1)

If Sweeney is now saying that he is backing right to work laws for public employees, that shows he shouldn't be getting a AFL-CIO endorsement.

Seriously, no union leader of any sort would argue for right-to-work laws.  And yet, FirstAmend, Sweeney's public spokesperson, is saying Sweeney will be giving this proposed legislation favorable treatment.  

At least FA and Sweeney are being truthful about their anti-union policies.  

Way to go AFL-CIO!!

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by: princetonblue @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 06:49:52 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Christiecrats pay the price, literally (0.00 / 0)

The AFL CIO has rewarded the Christiecrats with a big NO ENDORSEMENT for abandoning public workers and supporting Republican Governor Christie on pensions and benefits reform that resulted in the theft of public workers bargaining rights on healthcare.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 21:45:29 PM UTC

Do endorsements matter? (0.00 / 0)

I actually know of no one who bases their vote on an endorsement, no matter who the endorsee is. When the voting happens, people will be faced with voting for a Democrat or a Republican, and I'm not sure Sweeney or Norcross will worry about their vote tally. It may actually help Madden, since his district is a bit more conservative.  

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by: Thurman Hart @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 22:51:54 PM UTC

There's me... (4.00 / 1)

I consider endorsements, especially in local elections. As of now, I will not vote for Fred Madden.

mmgth

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by: mmgth @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 00:22:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

GOTV it can make a difference and if heavy union district (0.00 / 0)

It's marginal but close elections are decided on the margins.

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by: DSWright @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 01:53:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Death Knell for Govt. Unions (0.00 / 0)

Ok. Now what?

If you do not back the Democrats and you do not primary the Democrats and you do not back the Republicans ,who do you go to for support?

Christie does not support govt. unions. The GOP does not support govt. unions, and now the govt. unions have cut all ties to the Democratic Party .

Sweeney does not need them.
Van Drew does not need them .
Ruiz, Beach,and  Madden do not need them .

Whelan can use help but should he lost Polistina will not support govt. unions.

The STUPID  Govt. worker union leadership won a battle that will lose them the war.

Another GREAT MOVE  by a bunch of idiots.  

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by: firstamend07 @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 22:57:34 PM UTC

Harry S. Truman said: (4.00 / 2)

"Given the choice between a Republican and someone who acts like a Republican, people will vote for the real Republican all the time"

So the public workers unions  have lost nothing that hasn't already been denied them by the Christiecrays but rather made a statement that needed to be made.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 23:10:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It is all over!Govt. Unions now outside looking in! (0.00 / 1)

Let me give you my own quote,"Politics is the life blood of a government worker union".

I think you would agree that all the blood is gone.

Government worker unions now do not even have a seat at the table.

They won a battle and have lost the war.

Of the 120 Legislators they might have 25 " friendly" contacts, NONE ARE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

LOL. Great political move!!!

WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS!    

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by: firstamend07 @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 23:27:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

FA7 (4.00 / 4)

You say a lot of self-serving, borderline silly stuff - but this is some of your finest work yet. If you think that your friend Steve and his pals will outlast decades of workers' rights in this state, you are deluding yourself.  

"We do not consider patriotism desirable if it contradicts civilized behavior." - Friedrich Durrenmatt

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by: KendalJames @ Thu Aug 04, 2011 at 23:35:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

One word on those decades (4.00 / 1)

Wisconsin.  Are we next now?


There is no political party to represent me now.

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by: HurtPillow @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 00:18:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

We Are All Wisconsin (4.00 / 1)

Don't you think we just got our asses kicked with the pen/ben legislation?  We aren't next - we are.  A great deal of thanks goes to Sweeney/Nordubato, but there are others who caved.

It's hard to admit, but Christie is a far more smooth politician than Scott Walker.  Christie spent a year trashing puublic sector workers/unions.  That prepared a lot of voters to agree that we were getting ripped off by the public sector.  Although we have some fine, progressive legislators, the coup was already in progress - they were powerless to prevent the takeover.

Walker, on the other hand, did not campaign on trashing the public sector.  When he got in office he just did it, with the help of the R majority.  The overwhelming public outrage at Walkier's actions has mobilized the electorate.  Despite gazillions of Koch dollars pouring into the state, I believe the people will prevail.  Wisconsin will reclaim its progressive heritage.

I wish I could say the same for NJ.  We are sqishy.  Even though there are some fighters here, we simply are not organized.

On a side note, I felt good about Christie's defense of the Muslim soon to be judge.  It got a fair amount of national media attention, and deservedly so.  OTOH, my perenially cranky partner noted Malcolm X, who said: when you stick a knife 6 inches into my back, and take it out 3 inches and say everything is all right.  I don't think so.

Christie, how long is your shiv?

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by: SmartyJones @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 03:33:03 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

FA7 is in the prison guard's union... which is "Govt. Union" (3.50 / 2)

You make no sense and anyone who knows anything about labor movements knows if anyone is in trouble it's private sector unions which can easily be marginalized and not used - and often aren't!

Construction is at an all time low and will continue to be with recent cuts so good luck ironworkers with unionbusters like Sweeney running your shop.

United we stand, divided we fall.

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by: DSWright @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 01:58:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

If WE don't support them (0.00 / 0)

Then someone else will...  Like in Illinois, when the local unions didn't support their dems, then the opposition swooped in with $$ and helped them see things in a different way.  That's the bad news.

What SHOULD happen is that every single one of those christiecrats should have another dem running against them.  Yes, on purpose they waited until after the primary to do this bullsh!t move for that very purpose, but seriously, if the democrats want to survive at all this round, they need to put up alternate candidates.  

There is no political party to represent me now.

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by: HurtPillow @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 00:07:22 AM UTC

Huge News (0.00 / 0)

CPP, outstanding reporting.

Many thanks.

http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com

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by: Jersey Jazzman @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 00:35:50 AM UTC

Govt. Unions Irrelevant Now (0.00 / 1)

Sweeney will win.
Norcross will win.
Madden will win.
Van Drew will win.
Oliver will win.
...Do I have to go on?

So now when the Idiot Govt. union leadership goes to lobby in Trenton next year, who do they lobby?

They have no power. They have no influence.

This was a chance to make peace and the govt. worker union leadership declared war.

Bad move.....

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by: firstamend07 @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 00:46:48 AM UTC

How long are you going to hold a grudge about not getting that CWA position? (4.00 / 3)

Honestly. Trolling here and bashing public unions because YOU couldn't get a union position.

Weak sauce my friend, very weak sauce.

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by: DSWright @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 02:01:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Didn't you just state that up the thread (0.00 / 0)

You are now becoming redundant as well as boring.  

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by: FormerBureaucrat @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 02:52:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

So, Whelan will lose? (0.00 / 0)

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 15:49:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I hope not (0.00 / 0)

I hope that Whelan will be forgiven for his wrong vote on collective bargaining/pensions by those who remember the courageous vote that he cast on marriage equality.

Unfortunately, the NJ AFL-CIO does not consider the opinions of pro-marriage equality progressives when it makes its endorsement decisions for reasons that are both reasonable and unfortunate.

I don't understand why the AFL-CIO makes endorsement decisions like these after the primary elections are over, instead of organizing and running credible primary election opponents against the people who they are pissed off at.

At this point in the game, they really have no real choice except a Democrat who cast a bad vote on an issue of concern of theirs and a Republican who will vote badly on a regular basis on their issues of concern.

I find it hard to take punitive endorsements like these seriously from any organization that fails to make use of the primary election process when they had the opportunity to do so.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 17:25:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Primaries preceded the utter failure of these failures (0.00 / 0)

At some point, if you claim a party affiliation and act in absolute opposition to that party affiliation, something has to be done to let you know you have crossed an unacceptable line.

what woul you suggest? A sharp rebuke? These politicians care nothing for written and verbal rebukes, they only care about the money and support to get reelected and most had the same attitude on this that you are putting forward:
"It's okay to turn against the abse because who the hell else are the gonna vote for?"
It isn't about who these people will vote for but because they will most likely still vote for the Dems but it is rather about letting the dems know that this time, it's about the money and the boots on the ground that unions will withhold from them but next time, if the politicians don't act for labor instead of against labor, the primaries WILL see union membership will act against them for another democrat willing to be faithful.

This is the warning shot across the bow and next time, if the politicians on the left who turned into Christiecrats don't stand for labor, they won't stand past the next primary.

Labor and unions overall, are done being taken for granted and have said, in no uncertain terms, they are not beholden to anyone who isn't ready to stand with them against the unfettered attacks on labor, middle class families and the poor.

Based on the over-the-top temper tantrum displayed by the building and trades faction yesterday, the message had a huge impact on the Sweeney/Norcross axis of betrayal.

So, odds are, most of these liars and Judas' will be reelected but they are on notice that their actions have consequences and if they don't chang their ways, they aren't guaranteed a shot at the ring next primary.

If Labor don't draw a line in the sand somewhere, they will never again be taken seriously and never respected for the power they are.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 17:46:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They didn't bring the anti-worker (0.00 / 0)

bills up for a vote until after the primary was over.  That's why.

And saying that labor should support a candidate who stabbed them in the back because they support marriage equality would be like saying that advocates of marriage equality should support a candidate who voted against marriage equality because they were pro-labor.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 18:10:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're absolutely right! (0.00 / 0)

However, the unions knew the following:

1) that this legislation was coming down the pike

2) that Sweeney/Norcross and Oliver/Adubato and their allies were going to be causes for concern

The unions could have been proactive and organized primary challenges against these legislators, but they didn't.

I am not expecting that organized labor or any political organization make endorsement decisions based on issues that are not relevant to that organization. However, it would be nice if political organizations, particularly those whose issues of concern all fall under the "progressive" umbrella could have a means by which they talk to each other and have some influence with each other so that exceptions could be made for the greater good.

You can disagree with me if you want, but I think that it would be terrible if Jim Whelan was the only legislator within the Sweeney/Norcross & Oliver/Adubato axis to lose his seat as a result of one bad vote.  Does Whelan have a long track record of anti-union votes that I am not aware of?

I would prefer to see Sweeney (or Madden or Van Drew) lose their seat before Whelan.  In fact, it would be poetic justice if Democrats could find a way to win in the 11th, retain their seats in every other district, and lose in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th.

Yes, our majority would be narrower if this happened, but it would also be a more progressive Democratic majority with hopefully more progressive (Barbara Buono) leadership.  We would also have two years to organize primary challenges in the 5th and 6th LDs and anywhere else anti-progressive legislators will be running for re-election.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Sun Aug 07, 2011 at 23:45:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They DIDN'T Expect it from "One of their <i>own</i>" (0.00 / 0)

And because it wasn't expected from a DEMOCRAT, the expectation, prior to the primaries, was that any legislative proposal woud have been from a REPUBLICAN and would die a fast and unevenful death as a half-assed talking point from Christie's office, NOT Stephen Sweeney's personal legislation of ultimate betrayal.When Sweeney put up his "Chart", it was derided, attacked and exposed as a pandering to George Norcross and Chris Christie.

At least be honest and stop trying to spin it as a union failure. It was betrayal by a small "d" democrat more interested in satisfying his corporate sponser and party boss.  

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Thu Aug 11, 2011 at 00:54:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Please Read (0.00 / 0)

http://www.bluejersey.com/diar... This was discussed here and this is a warning. We need brighter minds in on this.

Do not forget or underestimate.

There is no political party to represent me now.

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by: HurtPillow @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 01:05:01 AM UTC

It wasn't a victory they sought from choice... (0.00 / 0)

but rather a victory that had to be achieved from necessity to send the message that organized labor does not suffer "fair-weathred" friends.

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 03:49:35 AM UTC

Sweeney Wins Large Majority/" Tea Party Like" unions win out (0.00 / 1)

Sweeney had overwhelming support from the unions. A small group of tea party like govt. unions forced their will on the majority.

Here are the facts:

From Angela Della Santi:
Sweeney and Norcross, both from South Jersey, were recommended by the union's executive council and supported by about 60 percent of the delegates - shy of the 67 percent needed for endorsement.

The lack of labor support shouldn't affect the outcome of the race in safe Democratic districts like Sweeney's and Norcross's. While the candidates won't have access to donor lists and other campaign aid that the AFL-CIO provides, local unions could fill the void.

The raucous endorsement conference exposed a division within the AFL-CIO, a federation of labor organizations that includes painters, electricians, teachers, state workers and more.

The private-sector unions voted to endorse Sweeney, Norcross and Republican Assemblyman John Amodeo, a member of the operating engineers union who voted yes on pension and health benefits reforms. But the public-sector unions voted against the endorsements.

"We have our tea baggers in labor and they spoke very clearly," Norcross said.

The vote on Sweeney's endorsement was 586 in favor, 374 against. The tally on Norcross was similar.

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by: firstamend07 @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 09:49:56 AM UTC

The AFL-CIO Endorsements (4.00 / 6)

First - and most importantly - those who stood up for collective bargaining received a meaningful endorsement from the AFL-CIO.

Those who did not, were denied the endorsement.  That means they receive no money, no labor walks, no mail, nothing of value from either the parent body or the affiliated bodies.  They can receive endorsement and supports from locals if those locals want to give it.

FA7 doesn't have the numbers right - and neither did della sante.  There were over 1100 delegates registers.  You needed 2/3s.  Sweeney got over 600 votes - but was still far from the 2/3s mark.  Norcross got far less than that.  And other candidates who lost endorsement got less than a majority.

It is not true that the private sector split with us - the Teamsters, the Steelworkers, the Bakers, the Transportation workerss, Hotel workers, UNITE, and some of the UFCW - ALL VOTED with us.  In fact, with little exception - it was the Trades that were isolated.

It is very sad that we had to do this, and sadder still that some people think that you can vote to destroy the collective bargaining rights of over 500,000 people and still deserve a labor endorsement.  

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by: Hetty Rosenstein @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 10:41:49 AM UTC

Get Your Facts Right Rosenstein (1.00 / 3)

This from NJ Spotlight:

It's not as if most of the state's labor unions turned their backs on Sweeney (D-Gloucester), however, who received 61 percent of the overall vote -- just shy of the two-thirds needed for an endorsement. Norcross (D-Camden) received 59 percent.

You then say: That means they receive no money, no labor walks, no mail, nothing of value from either the parent body or the affiliated bodies.

WRONG! Every individual union can on their own do phone banks, labor walks, etc. They can also give money on their own. The Building Trades in particular will be OUT IN FORCE for Sweeney,Norcross,Whelan, Van Drew ,and the rest.

You say the Trades were isolated. WRONG AGAIN. CWA has completely isolated themselves in the labor movement with this tea party like stunt.

The " shame" is that you just don't get  "it" .  

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by: firstamend07 @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 21:28:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

FA7 You're in the CWA! (0.00 / 0)

What the hell is wrong with you?

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by: DSWright @ Sat Aug 06, 2011 at 03:26:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who was isolated? (0.00 / 0)

CWA made an organizational decision by our local presidents that at the state fed endorsement conference, we would oppose a LABOR endorsement of any legislator that voted for "PenBen" - the bill that eliminated the right to collectively bargain healthcare to 500,000 workers. We were joined in this effort by our great allies - IFPTE, AFT, SEIU, Steelworkers, ATU, UTU, PFANJ, RWDSU, Teamsters. We succeeded. Thanks to all of our allies. Great work Team!

If we don't stand together, we fall alone
That didn't last long.

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by: Couch Potato Politics @ Sat Aug 06, 2011 at 14:07:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Troll rating for your disrespect (3.00 / 1)

toward Ms. Rosenstein by referring to her by her last name.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Mon Aug 08, 2011 at 13:12:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Great news! (4.00 / 1)

Not one dime.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Fri Aug 05, 2011 at 15:50:18 PM UTC