Nikki Haley's Relentless Attacks on Unions Hurts Workers in South Carolina

A recent interview - or lack thereof - was conducted by the Post and Courier's Robert Behre to discuss economic development. The result turned out to be a softball session with a continuation of attacks towards unions.

Corporate media - ones bought by advertising money - do not push back or rail against the lies as they should. So, allow this writer to dispose of the political bullshit thrown out to the masses to consume as truth.

P&C: What anti-union measures do you want to see?

Haley: "There are bills introduced we are pushing that would basically make them show their financial records ... so we know which politicians are getting paid, which consultants are getting paid and we want to know all of their national contracts. ... We're just going to make it harder for them to come into our state."

Behre's question just boils, doesn't it? I mean, you couldn't ask for such a softer pitch to a ultracon such as Haley.Yeah, screw those union members in our state - all three percent of them. What more do you want to stuff those who want better their lives in wages, job security and safety.

What Behre didn't press on was the fact unions already disclose information due to federal laws.

The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended (LMRDA), is administered by the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS). The LMRDA covers unions, officers and employees of unions, union members, employers, labor relations consultants, surety companies, trusts in which a union is interested, and other "persons" as defined in the LMRDA who may be covered by particular provisions of the Act.

The LMRDA also covers unions representing U.S. Postal Service employees by virtue of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 and unions representing federal employees through Section 7120 of the Civil Service Reform Act, and its implementing regulations. The LMRDA does not cover unions composed solely of state and local government employees.

More, he didn't ask what her obsession was with unions to cause her to push for more government into workers' lives. Ultimately, what is she afraid of?

I ran an opinion piece from a union member in this state showing the huge amount of frustration with Haley's attack on union workers.

I am a fire fighter in South Carolina. I respond when the alarm goes off without the slightest hesitation, just like the men and women who work alongside me. Our job is to save lives and property. We do that job with pride. We are deeply committed to keeping our neighbors and communities safe, because we are proud citizens of the great state of South Carolina.

 

We are also union members.

 

In her State of the State address, Gov. Haley made her views clear when she proclaimed that folks like me and my fellow fire fighters and paramedics "are not needed, not wanted, and not welcome in the State of South Carolina."

 

Her rhetoric made it sound like she was talking about truly evil people. Or an angry invading force.

 

In truth she was talking about me and thousands of other South Carolinians who are hard working citizens – and union members. Does she really want to deny all of us a voice in our work lives or drive us out of South Carolina completely?

I thought about it. I actually think she does want to deny the voices of workers. And yes, she wants to drive unions out of the state. She definitely doesn't want them here. The corporate media propels the agenda.

Why is it so hard to ask the questions real people want to have answers to? Are the media that afraid of Republican recoil? Sounds to me they consider Haley a dictator and are ever so thankful she graces their presence.

Haley's unchallenged rhetoric hurts workers in this state who innocently look to such media for the truth. It's a shame they're almost 100 percent let down.