UPDATE: 11-18-09 UNION LEADER THROWN UNDER THE BUS …
As is the pattern of practice of most far-left organizations, those minor functionaries who make outrageous statements or have been found to have engaged in wrongdoing are asked to step down, are fired and the story spun as "an abberation" not sanctioned by the top leadership. We know better!
"A union leader in Pennsylvania has resigned after being criticized for threatening legal action over an aspiring Eagle Scout’s volunteer project."
"Nick Balzano, president of the Service Employees International Union’s Allentown chapter, submitted an unexpected resignation letter Thursday, along with a few other employees, SEIU spokesman Matt Nerzig told Foxnews.com. The resignations came one day after FoxNews.com reported that Balzano had come under fire for saying earlier in the month that the SEIU might file a grievance against the city of Allentown for allowing 17-year-old Kevin Anderson to voluntarily clear a walking trail in a local park, instead of paying union members to do the work."
UPDATE: 11-18-09 SEIU RESPONDS …
A reader in Allentown e-mailed me saying that “I saw your post about Allentown, and I wanted to be sure you had the facts. The following is an email from Matt Nerzig of SEIU 32BJ regarding the misunderstanding.” It is always nice to have someone local as an extra set of eyes and ears, not to mention another voice to add to the conversation.
From the SEIU …
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Thank you for contacting us regarding the recent Morning Call article regarding Eagle Scout Kevin Anderson's attempts to clean up an East Allentown community park. I want to make sure you have the facts. SEIU 32BJ and all of SEIU strongly support the efforts of organizations, including the Boy Scouts, that focus on valuable contributions to the community through volunteerism. While Nick Balzano misspoke in his exchange with a reporter, his frustration over recently laid off workers in Allentown is a sentiment shared by families all around this country. SEIU 32BJ will continue its ongoing efforts to find these men and women jobs to support their families during the upcoming Holiday season and beyond. Best regards, |
About that right-wing blogosphere … I do not let my politics or personal opinions get in the way of defending the Boy Scouts of America. I have personal knowledge of Scouting and the good they do for the community, as well as the personal sense of accomplishment that comes from earning “merit” badges. My time in scouting was fun, educational and I still adhere to the “Be Prepared” motto.
About misspeaking … It is a characteristic of those who get caught in embarrassing situations, especially those which appear to be “use of force” threats against weak or innocent others, to claim that they “misspoke” or were speaking in the heat of passion. This is crap: they often know what they are saying and the message they intend to convey. Also, it is often the very fact of being exposed in the media that brings a recantation and an apology.
About the out-of-work families … I personally sympathize with all employees who have lost their jobs and find themselves in difficulty – especially during this holiday season. But I am also cognizant of the fact that much of the difficulty in unionized arenas comes from the union’s insistence of ever-expanding wages and benefits, onerous and restrictive work rules, rewarding seniority over merit and the coercion of their rank and file into supporting political candidates not of their choosing. My beef is not with the individual union members, the majority of which are hard-working, law-abiding and legal citizens. My disdain is for the often corrupt leadership which goes beyond representing their membership into acting like petty tyrants and misusing union funds for personal and political purposes.
I have no idea whether or not reader Michelle is in the union, a member of city government or just a concerned citizens … but it is this type of reader response that adds to the conversation and demonstrates engagement with the process of making the United States at better place for all of us.
Original Blog Entry …
Once again, union thuggery and control over local government and political leaders is on public display for all to see …
With all President Obama’s emphasis on volunteerism and the need for ordinary Americans to pitch in to clean up their communities, we find the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) attacking a future Eagle Scout for performing meritorious service in his community.
The Morning Call is reporting …
“In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.
Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of the city's largest municipal union.
Nick Balzano, president of the local Service Employees International Union, told Allentown City Council Tuesday that the union is considering filing a grievance against the city for allowing Anderson to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path at Kimmets Lock Park.”"’We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails,’ Balzano told the council.’ Balzano said Saturday he isn't targeting Boy Scouts. But given the city's decision in July to lay off 39 SEIU members, Balzano said ‘there's to be no volunteers.’ No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path.”
Bullshit! Who is this thug that thinks he owns the public park and can keep the rightful park owners, the public, from lending a helping hand to maintain the grounds?
Mealy-mouthed Mayor speaks out …
"We would hope that the well-intentioned efforts of an Eagle Scout candidate would not be challenged by the union,’ said Mayor Ed Pawlowski in an e-mail Friday. ‘This young man is performing a great service to the community. His efforts should be recognized as such.’"
Hopes the union would not take action against this child? The Mayor should tell the unions that they are planning to audit the union’s finances and political actions if they take any action. Perhaps looking at overtime records and inappropriate work rules?
“Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break. ‘We are probably going to let this one go,’ Balzano said.”
Since when does the union run the city? Since when can the union dictate who can volunteer their efforts to community service?
“The possible entanglement of a local Boy Scout in a union dispute underscores the frustration and anger SEIU members feel after being the lone city union to suffer layoffs in the ongoing financial crisis. It may also serve as a preview of future labor battles as the city tries to outsource some necessary jobs as a result of the layoffs.”
Let them strike. Decertify the unions and re-open the jobs to all comers. Let the union members re-apply for the positions.
A grand vision …
“Anderson, a junior and varsity soccer player at Southern Lehigh High School, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 301 of Center Valley.
He got the idea for the trail while taking hikes along the partially complete, 165-mile Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. He noticed there were a few missing connections to the trail in Kimmets Lock Park, which is on the Lehigh River near Dauphin Street. He already has logged 250 hours trying to carve out a walking and biking trail along the river.”"’I decided to do my part in completing this part of the trail. In that way, others could enjoy walking along the river, without having to walk on the busy road,’ Anderson said in an e-mail Friday.”
Considering the alleged corruption found in the SEIU headed by an unregistered lobbyist who is lobbying the President of the United States, perhaps the SEIU should be decertified as a dishonest labor broker whose efforts put municipalities at further financial risk with their ever-increasing demands, restrictive work rules and lack of compassion for the citizens served by the municipalities.
Bottom line …
Unions are the new purveyors of socialism and the further destruction of the United States with their Marxist tactics and corrupt acts. We need to re-examine those who are attempting to use labor to move the United States towards European-style socialism.
-- steve
Reference links …
Union troubled by Eagle Scout project in Allentown -- themorningcall.com
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