Union That Helped Torpedo Whitman Now Plans to Press Brown on Workplace Rules, Universal Coverage

[NNN0LHI]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703514904575602601191975376.html

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREANOVEMBER 11, 2010.

Nurses' Union Flexes Political Muscle

Labor Group That Played Role in Whitman's Defeat Now Plans to Press Brown on Workplace Rules, Universal Coverage .

By JIM CARLTON

One of California's most powerful political players these days is a Bay Area-based nurses' union, which helped torpedo Republican Meg Whitman's efforts to become governor and boosted the prospects of the eventual winning candidate, Democrat Jerry Brown.

Now officials of the 85,000-member California Nurses Association say they will keep Gov.-elect Brown's feet to the fire on their agenda of improving conditions for nurses and the state's health-care system.

While optimistic about working with Mr. Brown, "we're used to fighting with politicians for our agenda," says DeAnn McEwen, co-president of the California Nurses Association, which is based in Oakland and is affiliated with the national nurse's union, National Nurses United.

Ms. McEwen says the nurses' union wants improvements in nursing education and provisions to enforce existing laws on staffing ratios and other workplace rules. Union officials also are aiming for Mr. Brown to sign a health-care bill that would guarantee medical care for all Californians, which departing Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger twice vetoed. The union endorsed Mr. Brown early this year.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I remember their tactics!

I think they were the ones who came up with "Queen Meg"!

Great guerrilla theater.

[Cleita]

2. Good! All power to them! n/t

[Gabi Hayes]

3. good for THEM! now, if only some unions in NY will go after that creep Cuomo....

On Verge of Victory in New York, Cuomo Announces War Against Unions

The latest polls suggest Democratic candidate Andrew M. Cuomo will become New York’s next governor after next Tuesday's election. But his recent statements spurning big labor should leave many unions worried when he takes office.

Cuomo, the current state attorney general, told the New York Times on Sunday that he plans to take on labor and special interests who have incapacitated the state government with their disproportionate amount of influence. “We’ve seen the same play run for 10 years,” Cuomo tells the paper. “The governor announces the budget, unions come together, put $10 million in a bank account, run television ads against the governor. The governor’s popularity drops; the governor’s knees weaken; the governor falls to one knee, collapses, makes a deal.”

According to the article, the political scion believes that labor and their campaign money “bullied previous governors and lawmakers into making bad decisions.” Instead, he hopes to strengthen his ties with the state’s business and corporate leaders who, according to him, have been marginalized by unions.

?????!!!!!!!

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6590/on_verge_of_victory_in_new_york_cuomo_announces_war_against_unions/

[Scurrilous]

4. K & R

:thumbsup: