Guess the source of this paragraph.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
Why, it's the US Department of Labor's statement about Labor Day, of course!
To add to these achievements, President Bush has just appointed Paul DeCamp to head the Wage and Hours Division of the US Dep't. of Labor. Is he a good choice? From the corporate biography linked above:
Mr. DeCamp has represented employers in numerous class and collective actions involving the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and state wage and hour laws, as well as cases brought by individuals. Mr. DeCamp has defended employers against union organizing campaigns and unfair labor practice charges; provided advice regarding acquisition of unionized businesses, including successorship issues; and challenged union election-related misconduct. Mr. DeCamp advises employers regarding the full range of employment law issues, including wage and hour law compliance, internal investigations, equal employment opportunity concerns, employee discipline and terminations, and Service Contract Act issues.Mr. DeCamp also represents businesses in a broad range of appellate matters involving issues of labor and employment, product liability, and insurance law, among others.
So here's a guy who has done nothing in his career to help labor. On the contrary, he's done everything he could, including helping employers combat union organization, to defeat it. Well then. In another example of the Bush Administration's "up-is-down" viewpoint, he's the perfect guy to help administer the Department of Labor.
Happy Labor Day, wage slaves. Your corporate masters just got a new club to beat you with.
Update: Bonus! Pete Seeger and The Weavers singing Solidarity Forever at YouTube.
Posted by Linkmeister at September 4, 2006 09:43 AM | TrackBackWith so many atrocities of policy the current regime has made I find domestic issues, especialy labor issues get ignored all to often. Going beyond pay and bennies, worker safety has really gotten the shaft. I had a business lunch a couple years ago with a contractor we did a lot of work for. He actualyy said that he was glad to see, "these kind of people" in power because they could "fix" these "extreme" safety laws in this country. When I, politely as possible, asked him if it was really that great to measure the construction of a big building or a bridge in the number of men killed building it, he replied; "it worked great for centuries, besides, it creates jobs" then laughed. A couple hours later I had to explain to my boss why we probably wouldn't be getting any more jobs from that contractor - I didn't check my tongue after the asshole said that. One of the things I love about my old boss - when it turned out I was wrong, when he called to get us on another job, my boss declined to take it or any other work from him.
Posted by: DuWayne at September 4, 2006 05:54 PMOh, suffice to say that what I told him and more importantly called him would have convinced most people not to do business with me or my company again. But the company that I worked for, and I for that matter, do really great work. I also failed to mention my boss wasn't in the least, upset with me for telling him off - said he probably would have done the same.
Thanks for the youtube link - made me all warm and fuzzy, though kind of sad too.
Posted by: DuWayne at September 4, 2006 05:59 PM