Corker now pretending his threats over VW union vote weren't really threats

[ProSense]

Corker now pretending his threats over VW union vote weren't really threats

by Laura Clawson

As the UAW asks the National Labor Relations Board to determine that Sen. Bob Corker's threats about possible job losses if Tennessee Volkswagen workers unionized constitute reason for a new election, Corker continues to be pleased as punch that the threats worked. At the same time, though, he's reached the "clarifying" stage of playing the heavy and then pretending that's not what you were doing:

In a "Squawk Box" interview Tuesday, Corker sought to clarify those statements, which VW denied at the time—claiming his comments then were designed to combat rumors that the only way to get the expansion was to vote to unionize.

"We wanted to assure people working at there that Chattanooga was in fact the first location, and in fact if they did vote the union out Chattanooga was still going to be place the company expected to expand," he said.

That's not quite how he was putting it two weeks ago. Back then, he wasn't saying "oh, there's this rumor that if you don't unionize, you won't get more jobs, but it's not true, the outcome of the vote is irrelevant" he was saying "if you don't unionize, you will get more jobs." There's kind of a difference!

Along with his after-the-fact clarification, Corker is also looking ahead to the possibility that the NLRB will call for a new union vote at VW. And of course, it's all about politics to him:

"Now this is going to the National Labor Relations Board that the president controls. The question will be: Will they try to mussle or keep a United States senator, a governor, state legislators to express their views?" questioned Corker.

The NLRB is in fact an independent agency; the president nominates its members but does not control its day-to-day functions. But Corker would obviously prefer to paint the board's potential actions as the president trying to intimidate him. Which is funny, since he was so enthusiastic about himself, his state's governor, and some state legislators actively intimidating VW workers...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/25/1280320/-Corker-now-pretending-his-threats-over-VW-union-vote-weren-t-really-threats

UAW's Volkswagen Union Appeal Cites Interference From Sen. Corker
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024542462

[Pretzel_Warrior]

1. Corker should be imprisoned for meddling in labor/management discussions and labor votes

but I will love it if NLRB demands a revote.

[Rider3]

2. VW is smart to get out of TN and the south, in general

Come to the Northeast. We don't vote against our better welfare and would welcome the jobs.

[MindMover]

5. that is exactly why they will never locate in the northeast ...

You are too smart ...

[elleng]

3. Damn right we'd like to 'mussle' you, corkscrew,

but we do it LEGALLY, openly, explaining WHY we do what we do, and offering you the opportunity to respond.

[Scuba]

7. Hey, it passed spell-check!

[MindMover]

4. Just astounding that this politicians interference in labor negotiations is not ...

Bigger news ... shows you that House of Cards is really not far from the truth ...

[okaawhatever]

6. This article should give Corker's direct quote. He said: “I’ve had conversations today and based on

those am assured that should the workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in the coming weeks that it will manufacture its new mid-size SUV here in Chattanooga.”

Corker claims that it was politicians expressing their views. Saying, "I'm anti-union" is expressing views. Saying that x will happen if you do what I want is something else entirely.

[malaise]

8. Make that fugger

PAY!!