Firefighters union says “enough” to the spineless Dems. Me too.
Word today that the International Association of Firefighters is halting all financial contributions to the National Democrats should establish a model.
It has for me.
“The attacks launched at our members since the November 2010 elections have changed the landscape,” Harold Schaitberger, the association’s president, said in the statement. “Extreme, right-wing-conservative and so-called Tea Party politicians are coming after firefighters, paramedics and all public workers with a vengeance across the U.S.”
Struggles over the clout of unions have drawn national attention to newly elected Republican Govs. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and John Kasich of Ohio. Both have signed legislation curtailing the bargaining power of unions representing government workers.
“With the survival of our union and the ability to preserve and protect the rights, wages and benefits our members deserve in jeopardy in the states, we have re-evaluated how to get the best results for our political dollars,” Schaitberger said.
The firefighters union gave $15 million to the national Democratic Party in the last election cycle. They won’t give it this time around.
Good for them.
They have decided to pick local races, contributing to candidates who actually will stand with organized labor and public service workers.
I’m tired of seeing the NEA and the IEA political action money, my money, go to candidates who screw organized labor, support three wars, refuse to tax the rich, are silent about Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey and Florida when those state legislatures ban collective bargaining, tenure, seniority or refuse to meet pension obligations.
The IEA’s IPACE money is a payroll deduction. In the past, my contributions to the NEA’s political action fund has been generous, at least on a teacher salary.
You need to request a form to end the deduction. I will make that request.
I’m done.
I will make my contributions to candidates who support working people.
Join me and the firefighters.
It should be noted that the firefighters SUPPORTED Scott Walker for governor. While I agree with his point that Dems need to fight as hard for the unions as the Cons fight against them, you can’t expect a party to fight as hard when you don’t support them (let alone support the most anti-union candidate in history).
Different union, Kurt. This is the national union.