Burning Atlanta

Humm, consider the fact that the AFL-CIO is opposing anti-illegal legislation. It makes me wonder if the union leaders and the rank and file aren't exactly on the same page on this issue?

Sign the petition

At the urging of a local immigration-reform group, a number of Yale dining hall workers, custodians and service personnel signed a petition on Thursday urging Local 35 leaders to abandon the union’s policy of transferring member dues to a pro-immigration rights national affiliate.

Arguing that illegal immigration depresses wages and causes unemployment, members of the Community Watchdog Project stood on campus yesterday handing out fliers and soliciting employees on break or in between shifts.

“The membership is highly upset that the union will turn their backs on their American workers,” petition organizer Alan Felder said.

While it is still unclear how many signatures the group’s petition garnered — and will garner in the coming days — the Project’s campaign has already met opposition from Local 35 President Bob Proto, who said Thursday that supporters of the petition are acting “mean-spirited.” He added that he thinks its execution was ill-conceived.  As soon as I hear THOSE words, "mean-spirited," it clearly identifies the user  as a thumb-sucker.

“Our folks don’t really have the time to grab onto certain issues … some of them know about the issues, but most of them I would rather have them be more knowledgeable about the stance,” Proto said. “So for these guys to go do this … is absolutely the wrong road.” This is the same arrogant attitude used by some politicians pushing pro-amnesty/pro-illegal legislation. "We know what's best and if the people just understood they'd agree with us."