I know that I probably should not say a lot since I'm new, but I saw that some of the IAEP shopstewards support president Bush. I asked a friend of mine, he's not in ems, and he told me that the unions support Kerry.If you work for the union as a shopsteward, how then can you be a republican? I guess it doesn't matter who you privately vote for, but if you are for the bigger labor unions like IAEP and AFL-CIO would you not want to be a democrat?...I'm sorry if I sound so ignorant, but I know so little about politics... also, I think I like IAEP but there shure seems to be a lot of fighting going on, but I also don't know a lot about them. I do like the idea that every county could vote for themselves, that way maybe the fighting could stop and everybody could be happy with who they have...see ya out there...Michelle:)
Remember, the only thing that we as EMS personnel are focused on politically are working conditions, wages, hours and benefits. When a Republican can deliver these terms, they are eligible for an endorsement. When Democrats promise and do not deliver these terms without justification, we remove them from office. We are open to both parties.
Unfortunately, labor has had to rely on Democrats to protect the interests of American workers since Republicans will often take action to destroy the rights of workers. Take for instance this last fiasco with the FLSA. Many people, about 6 million in America, will no longer be able to receive overtime. A Republican in the White House decided to assault workers check and balance system by removing overtime in some occupations.
Several years ago, we had a staffing crisis in Monterey County. Our previous contract in Monterey was not part of the core agreement with AMR and we had no language to protect us from excessive holdovers. Paramedics were being prescheduled 15 twentyfour hour shifts each month. Every shift that did not overlap, they were held over for 12 hours. We only made time and a half for our mandatory pay. We were exploited. Thankfully, we got into the core contract and now have mandatory pay which is double time. Also, there is language that limits the mandatory holdover to less than three hours, a true blessing for those of us that worked under those conditions.
Everything in the workplace is a check and balance of power, not benevolence. The same is true in politics.
You are way off. SEIU will never remove a democrat out of office for a republican. No way shape or form. The international governs, the CLC's govern. EMS will almost always come out the looser if anything else on the SEIU agenda conflicts. This is known fact.
The CLC in Monterey County is endorsing a Republican for the Board of Supervisor's race. This is because he supports labor, and understood EMS and the importance of workforce protection in the RFP. All it takes is to show up to the meetings. Whatever Vern.
Vernon, if you know so much about Monterey County politics, then please tell us the whole truth. Erin is very straight up. She has been played by the NEMSA people for a long time. I have never cought her in a lie, and I have seen her when she has been frustrated with L250 too. She is genuine, and cares about her county mcuh more then you ever will about yours. She would never sink to you and medic ones level of insults. Please provide us with more details, otherwise don't pretend you know everything
It happens when the environmental, elitist Democrat that cannot abide labor runs for office and the Republican is not leaning towards being a Libertarian. I have heard about it a couple of times over the years in the Bay Area.
I am not registered as a Democrat, I am independent, however it is easy to understand why unions overwhelmingly support Democrats - they are much more apt to support the viewpoints of labor. Republicans are more apt to write laws favoring business. It is the focus of unions to fight for the labor side.
There is no problem whatsoever that a shop steward is Republican. In fact, the stewards in my county both come from the left and the right. My opinion...I'll vote the right person in, regardless of affiliation. I don't need a political party to tell me how I should vote.
