Unions sensing budget betrayal by House
Source: Boston Globe
Top Democrats could be target for challenge
By Jim O’Sullivan
Labor unions, stung by legislative maneuvering to ease privatization at the MBTA, are targeting top House Democrats, meeting privately to strategize, and discussing the possibility of running more pro-union candidates against incumbents. One union official even proposed picketing a Democrat’s fund-raiser.
About 45 top labor officials and activists met this week at a Boston electricians’ union hall in an “emergency meeting” during which some attendees strongly advocated finding challengers to Democratic lawmakers who had sided against organized labor in the recent budget fight, according to people familiar with the proceedings.
The rare display of raw friction between Democrats and a key ally comes after party leaders ratified a state budget that included a major setback for organized labor, paving the way for wider privatization at the MBTA after a winter of slowed and canceled service — a measure organized labor fears will hand government work to nonunion workers.
In an e-mail to other union leaders that was obtained by the Globe, Michael J. Monahan, international vice president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, called for picketing outside a July 28 fund-raiser to be hosted by House Speaker Robert DeLeo.
FULL story at link.
DAVID L. RYAN/GLOBE STAFF
AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman spoke at an MBTA union workers rally at the State House in May.
Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/07/16/unions-target-top-house-democrats/hYNNipPVtGwoMkr0cbYYwO/story.html#
Also see: MBTA union vows fight over Baker’s plan for agency: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/05/27/mbta-union-fights-key-provision-baker-plan/2E4secnmsLRI1DFR9uU91I/story.html?p1=Article_Related_Box_Article
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