Tuesday, August 9, 2011

This Fall, I Will Be Supporting Scutari, Green, and Stender for Reelection

The representatives of the 22nd legislative district have recently received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO. State Senator Nick Scutari, Assemblyman Jerry Green and Assemblywoman Linda Stender all possess a very good track record on the state level; Scutari is best known for his advocacy for quality education, public safety, and for the compassionate use of medical marijuana; Stender for her strong commitment to public safety, women’s health, and fair housing reform, while Green is best known for his passionate support of decent housing for all of New Jersey as chair of the Housing and Local Government Committee. Most recently, this trio stepped up to the plate in support of organized labor and in opposition to Governor Christie’s assault on health benefits for members of the labor movement. They stood tall with the labor movement while Republicans and some wayward Democrats, led by Senate President Sweeney, gave organized labor the proverbial finger. Senator Sweeney committed an act of treason against the very movement that has made him one of its leaders.

I believe that the state of municipal finances across all 566 municipalities requires concessions on the part of organized labor; I also believe that with ever-increasing property taxes, with a jobless rate that is over 9%, and with thousands of homeowners facing the prospect of foreclosure, there needs to be shared sacrifice on the part of all, organized labor included. However, I believe that the bargaining table is the place where needed reform can and should be achieved. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and other laws require employers to bargain with unions and to do so in good faith. We must not turn back the hands of time. Any and all attempts to crush the labor movement by way of legislation should be resisted and should be vehemently opposed by all progressive minded individuals and by all people of good will.

There can be no denying that many of us have benefited enormously from the labor movement, and owe much of our success to the early pioneers of the movement who had the temerity to confront unfair labor practices, harsh working conditions and exploitation. Much of what we enjoy today and take for granted, are the fruits of seeds that were sewn by people like A. Phillip Randolph, César Chávez, Samuel Gompers, John L. Lewis, Bayard Rustin, Lane Kirkland and Mary Harris Jones, to name just a few. I owe my career today to a shop steward who stood up for me when a manager wanted to preserve the job of his girl friend who had less seniority than me. I kept my job in the mail room at US Lines and the girlfriend of the boss had to go, thanks to organized labor.

I stand with elected officials who stand with organized labor, I may not always agree with them, but I will give credit where credit is due. Organized labor should not fall victim to the bully pulpit of a governor’s office, and should not be betrayed by politicians who lack an appreciation for the historic struggles that have brought us this far along the way. Governor Christie maybe willing to throw out the baby with the bath water, but if we allow that to happen, chances are the baby will die and organized labor as we know it will cease to exist. Let’s keep the baby alive, let’s support those who support organized labor.

To that end, I stand firmly with the democrats in the 22nd legislative district who stood tall with organized labor in an attempt to blunt the force of Christie’s attack. This fall I will be supporting Scutari, Green and Stender for reelection as a means of keeping the Governor in check.

Regards,

Adrian

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are at one with those who let their friends and political contributors game the system and suck from the public trough. Your ambition overrides the values you profess. What dance will you and the New Dems play during the next primary?

Dottie Gutenkauf said...

Thank you, Adrian! As a former college professor who was instrumental in building what is now the largest higher education union in the country, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, and as a former union representative with the AFT's NJ affiliate, I appreciate your support of the trade union movement. This country has largely moved away from feudalism because of the labor movement, and it's frightening that so many politicians are willing--nay, eager--to kill it. Think of where the middle class came from: it was created by the labor movement. Let's not forget that! It's important to stand up for those political leaders who have stood up for working people, and I applaud you for doing so.

Rob said...

Councilman... Supporting Green and Stender is exactly why Plainfield is the way it is. Support their opponents if you want to see positive change in Plainfield. Sad to say, I totally predicted this. Not that it matters..but totally unimpressed at this point. You supporting Green is saying you agree with his petty power plays and interference in the advancement of Plainfield. Please...take an honest look at your statements and go read his blog start to finish. Then, tell us again why you are supporting him. The Governor is the last thing you need to worry about in Plainfield. Organized Labor invited the sour meal they are currently swallowing...the more for me less for your attitude toward the people of NJ was not only pathetically wrong, but pathetically ill timed in a shrinking economy.

Keeping it Real said...

You had me fooled Mr. Mapp. Whether polticial in nature or just a personal choice, I'm completely surprised, and frankly, disgusted to see that you will be supporting Jerry Green et al.

Shame on you!

Anonymous said...

Councilman Mapp

Let me begin by saying -the President of the United States Barack Obama will say or do "things" with the Republicans that I will never agree with or understand. However, I support him one thousand percent, will vote for him in the next Presidential election and will believe he is doing whatever it is I disagree with in support of America and the American people.

So Rob (you probably will miss this comment) -I agree with you 99 percent of the time. And -I agree with you now regarding the Councilman supporting Green. But, I will believe Councilman Mapp supporting the Horrible Gerald Green is for the betterment of Plainfield New Jersey. Not sure how but . . . somehow it will be.

And because of this I will stand by you Councilman Mapp one thousand percent and respect your decision to support that icky-sicky man. But -I will not support Slimey Jerry Green at all. Even though the chances of Joan Van Pelt winning are slim -I will be voting for Joan Van Pelt and if time permits I will be supporting and campaigning for her.

Because I don't just vote -
I VOTE SMART!!!

Anonymous said...

It's the political leaders who caused this situation, Dottie. The people in Trenton never met a fund they did not like to raid. The reason this is happening is because monies that would be going to pension are not there because the people who Mr. Mapp praises, raided the till.

The answer from the politicians, "let them eat cake".

Rob said...

Comment not missed Anonymous.
Jerry Green and his good ole boy style of politics is a cancer in Plainfield, Union County and the State of NJ. If Councilor Mapp is comfortable heaving his morals out the window to support the "Good Ole Boy" network...far be it from to comment again other than to say.
"Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it."
-- Please keep any complaints about Assemblyman Green and his lack of most any type of decency, especially during an election cycle ( Rebecca Williams, as 1 quick example, can bring up a couple good reasons why Jerry Green is such a stand up guy, can't she??? Or is all fair in love and war??? ) to yourself.