Time to Retire ‘Scabby the Rat’, Says Top AFL-CIO Official

[ellisonz]

'Scabby the Rat' hangs out in Long Island City, N.Y. on September 12, 2012. (Wikimedia Commons)
Wednesday Jan 23, 2013 6:45 pm
By Mike Elk

Go to any labor rally and you are likely to see a towering symbol of union pride: a 16–foot-tall, inflatable plastic rodent known as “Scabby the Rat.” Although “scab” is a derogatory word for temp workers hired by bosses during strikes, in Scabby’s case, it’s a term of affection.

According to the website of Big Sky Balloons & Searchlights, the exclusive makers of Scabby the Rat, the floats were originally designed for Chicago unions. Since then, “the rats have multiplied and are found thriving throughout the U.S.A.”

However, Scabby may be harder to find at rallies if one union leader gets his way. Today, Sean McGarvey, president of the 2-million-strong AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department, tweeted, “Meeting with our Presidents and state councils. Issued a call to retire the inflatable rat. It does not reflect our new value proposition.”

The call to retire Scabby was met with dismay by some in labor movement. In response to McGarvey’s tweet, Chicago labor activist (and In These Times contributor) Micah Uetricht tweeted, “Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.”

More: http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/14478/time_to_retire_scabby_the_rat_says_top_afl_cio_leader/

I'd throw down on a DU inflatable balloon rat: http://www.bigskyballoons.com/ratpack.html

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. "does not reflect our new value proposition"? Seriously? WTF?

Does the AFL-CIO recruit from madison avenue for its leadership?

[leftyohiolib]

4. i caught that also - there seems to be a push in union-dom to be more company friendly that is the

cwa's approach now - go along to get along screw the workers slowly one contract at a time.
what was that i read - an idea becomes a cause that becomes a business... etc

[Bake]

5. I got a value proposition for them!!

And it's hangin' ... right here!!



Bake

[bettyellen]

2. I love Scabby!

[Brickbat]

3. Shameful.

[ellisonz]

6. Kick for Scabby

[Starry Messenger]

7. wtf?

We need Scabby more than ever. What animal reflects "our new value"?

[ellisonz]

8. What the heck is that?

Looks like something that sprouted inside of Dick Cheney.

[Starry Messenger]

9. You're close.

http://www.elsevierimages.com/image/48050.htm

[ellisonz]

10. Holy Crab Louse

Is it just me or do I see an image of Donald Trump's hair in that crab louse?

[Starry Messenger]

11. Now *that* would explain lots!

[ellisonz]

12. Yes it would. But looking at it again...

...I see a little Tagg Romney in it.

Now it all make's sense - it's Ann Romney as a small child!