Striking cheese workers

 
257 Cheeseheads went on strike today over at Sorrento Cheese on South Park Avenue. We're behind them, as well as the striking nurses over at "No Mercy" Hospital. Screw the man! The suits appear to be using the threat of relocation to screw with their health insurance benefits...


"The company announced that it will continue production at its Buffalo Plant, supplemented by production at the company's largest facility in Nampa, Idaho. 


"The company remains hopeful that the parties can reach agreement and remains committed to its long standing tradition of cheese making in the Buffalo community." 

That's not a statement. That's a threat. Be our slaves or we'll move. 

Leave, you greedy corporate bastards. They're already bleeding these workers dry with low salaries and slowly taking away their health benefits. For putting up with that unmistakable cheese smell for eight hours at a time, these people deserve the best health care available.


I'm thinking of becoming a scab...

Kennedy sides with Cuomo over unions

Tim "Hortons" Kennedy, a robot for Andrew Cuomo and a huge financial benefactor of unions, actually had to make a decision recently. Of course, he betrayed his union buddies and supported Cuomo with Tier VI. The question is, will the unions take this snub lying down or will they actually do something about it?

It appears elected leaders will face some fallout from unions over the pension reform.

The 265,000-member Civil Service Employees Association earlier this month suspended political endorsements and contributions because of the enacted pension reform.

"Suspended?" The politicians will simply find other special interest groups to bribe them. Let's see how long this suspension lasts. Will the unions actually run people against the likes of Kennedy? When they were supposed to meet with him on the issue, Kennedy left his office and had an intern stand in for him. And this is the guy the unions sent to Albany? Many people will be judging their strength based on how they respond to Little Timmy. Here's a chance for them to put up or shut up.

State’s new pension reform eases local burden

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Union member sheds light on cosmetic rider

The real people to blame for the plastic surgery among Buffalo teachers are the fools who negotiated their contract years ago. As I've said before, Buffalo teachers have it very difficult. They've been taking an undeserved beating in the local press lately.

Here, a union worker presents their side to the debate. Thanks for the comment...

Mike,

I know the cosmetic rider sounds ridiculous but here is some information, as explained to me by union delegates ( applies to teachers, cops, and fireman). The union contracts, as agreed upon by the city and unions, call for 4 health care plans. ( I know, sounds like alot, but of you look at the salaries of other area teachers, fireman, cops you'll see Buffalo is paid alot less ). The city used to offer two plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield and two from Independent Health. In recent years the city, without negotiating ( illegally) began offering these workers only two plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield. One of the Blue Cross plans includes a cosmetic rider. None of the unions negotiated specifically or fought for this rider.

Blue Cross threw in the cosmetic rider ( probably because they knew they could charge the city tons of money for it). The city should have never agreed to this health plan during negotiations, since it was a non issue for the unions ( possibly a pay off to high ranking officials from blue cross???). Unfortunately, the cosmetic rider is a benefit offered to these workers. Why should they give it back when a politically appointed state control board froze their wages for 3 years? Please place the blame where it belongs.


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County Executive race: A referendum on unions?

I haven't written too much about the race for County Executive, but one item caught my eye the other day. It was reported in the Buffalo News that the salary of Mark Poloncarz' campaign manager, Jennifer Hibit, was being paid by a local union (the Service Employees International Union). I also read where he received a $20,000 donation from the New York City Port Authority PBA. One has to wonder what interest a group so far removed from WNY has in this race. I seriously doubt they are helping him out of the kindness of their hearts...

The Police Benevolent Association of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey contributed $20,000 to the Poloncarz campaign, one of the largest single sums donated to Poloncarz, according to new campaign finance records filed with the state Board of Elections.

That prompted Collins to criticize his opponent for accepting such a significant donation from a police union based in Englewood Cliffs, N. J..

“He’s a pawn of Jersey union bosses who are giving him tens of thousands of dollars in a last-minute push to take our government away from taxpayers,” Collins said. “They know he will give the special interests anything they want, regardless of the cost to taxpayers.”

I fail to see how Poloncarz could negotiate future contracts in an unbiased fashion when his strings are being so blatantly pulled by the unions. I think Poloncarz has run a good campaign and I find him to be well spoken. However, the unions would not spend this kind of money, were they not expecting something in return. If I was in a union, I'd be more likely to vote Poloncarz. Since I'm not, I'll probably be sticking with Collins.
Collins assails union donation to Poloncarz






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Bad strategy by union leader

I, for one, think the real enemies in the class war going on in the U.S. today are the bankers, lobbyists, and hedge fund types. I think teachers and first responders are being unfairly pitted against the private sector working class by the aforementioned scumbags. Having said that, I don't think Buffalo Firefighters Union President Dan Cunningham is going to win any support from the general public with his latest negotiating strategy. Cunningham is urging all Buffalo Firefighters to switch insurance plans from the cheapest to the most costly ones (the one with all the plastic surgery nonsense)....

Union President Daniel Cunningham on Tuesday said more than 400 firefighters are still signed up for lower-cost insurance plans. He told the Common Council's Finance Committee that the union plans to urge members to change plans.

"We're going to ask each and every member of ours to sign up for the [more costly plan] with the cosmetic rider, so I can make myself look a little bit prettier," Cunningham said.

If all firefighters currently enrolled in the less expensive health plans opted for top-of-the-line coverage, it would likely cost the city at least $2.5 million annually.

What's happening in Wisconsin could easily happen here. The time may come when Public Employee Unions might need the support of the general public. Sophomoric tactics like this, which cost the taxpayers money, will not help their cause. Times are very tough. Do I think the mayor's people are negotiating in good faith? No way. However, all this is going to do is cast the firefighters' union in a negative light with their neighbors, who are struggling every day to pay their bills...

Union will urge firefighters to opt for most costly health plan

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Wisconsin Cheeseheads

Wisconsin is turning into Cairo, Egypt overnight as the public employee unions battle the newly elected Governor Scott Walker. I wonder how long it is before this scene gets played out in Albany. I don't know who is right or wrong in this debate. I expect the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Here are my two favorite signs from the protests.


Here is a clip on the story from the Associated Press: From what I hear, Ritchie Cunningham and Carmine Ragusa support the governor's bill, while Laverne Defazio and Shirley Feeney think it will have a devastating effect on the Shotz Brewery...


Tommy used to work on the docks. Union's been on strike. He's down on his luck. It's tough. So tough...

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Dr. Scammer

Dr. Kulwant Bhangoo. An early frontrunner for the South Buffalo Irishman of the Year. What a scammer...

You've done it again sound clip Cartoon Miscellaneous sound clips

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Letter to the editor- union support of state Democrats

I don't have a problem with the unions. It is their job to get the best benefits and working conditions for their membership. I do have a problem with poorly negotiated contracts that end up costing the taxpayers and anybody trying to do business in New York state. This letter writer points out that unions traditionally give money to and support the state Democrats endorsed by the political machine. There seems to be growing division between the taxpayer and the public sector unions as demonstrated by letters like this:

Private enterprise, taxpayers get fleeced

How does this make sense? On local news broadcasts, I watched public union members picketing because of the possibility of a temporary loss of the 4 percent raise they were scheduled to receive. A union official decried the injustice of it all during an interview. He thought it despicable that such a thing could take place.
Last time I checked, public unions throw massive support to the Democrats who run the state government. In turn, the Democrats vote for issues the unions favor, which in part is why the state is in a catastrophe now. It seems to me all those pickets should look at just who they voted for and what demands they, the unions, hammerlocked Albany into supporting.
In the end, private enterprise and the taxpayer get fleeced.

Charles Schwendler
Orchard Park
$12,000 firefighter payback is projected : City Hall : The Buffalo News

Letter to the editor- unions

This letter writer will make many union members unhappy. He is calling for New York state to declare bankruptcy so the state can then renegotiate all union contracts. Something's going to have to happen as the state can no longer afford to continue as is. I don't begrudge union members as I think unions have many positive attributes. Without unions, I think workers would get treated unfairly by power hungry management. However, with the state being as troubled as it is, the benefits of it's union members will be looked at very closely by people in the private sector struggling to pay their bills and the ridiculous taxes imposed by New York state. People out there are angry and looking for change. Who the hell do you think reads the crap I write every day?

Let’s declare bankruptcy, void state’s union contracts

I have an idea on reducing the state budget. What I would do is file for bankruptcy. This way, we can break the stranglehold the state’s unions have on us. We could bring salaries and fringe benefits (health care and pensions) in line with the public sector. We all have taken a hit in these tough times. I think it’s not unreasonable to expect the same from a work force fully supported by taxpayers.

It seems they feel they are immune to tough times and all that needs to happen is to raise our taxes. I have yet to hear anyone say:We understand the issues facing New York and we would like to help. We have been extremely fortunate in having a compensation package well above the national average, and we understand that these packages are no longer sustainable. Perhaps when the state is on sound financial ground, we will be able to revisit and adjust accordingly.

This would go a long way in reducing our state’s deficit and getting labor out of dictating state policy, which only benefits the unions at the cost of the state’s taxpayers. It’s time to take the state back and make it a good place to live and raise our children.

Rick Fisher
East Aurora

State of the city protest

Very interesting clip in this story taken from the police officers and firemen protesting Mayor Brown's state of the city speech. I'm not sure who brought the bullhorn. Looks like one of the Comerfords comes out at about 0:50. That means they'll be an extra six weeks of winter. He looks mad. Wouldn't you if most of the people in your neighborhood accused you of prostituting yourself to the mayor? I hear him or one of the protestors (I can't tell from tape)calling each other "tough guys" and challenging each other to fights. Very original. We didn't see that coming.

In the actual speech itself, Mayor Brown announced that he was a huge fan of men's figure skating and Bette Midler movies.

Brown wants to eliminate Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp. : Home: The Buffalo News

Brown vows crackdown on injury abuses: This message is brought to you by Cellino & Barnes

I hope your sitting down. For the first time in four years,Deputy Mayor Byron Brown came out today and offered an opinion on an issue. Brown says 2010 is going to be the year the city of Buffalo cracks down on Buffalo police officers and firemen pretending to be hurt. He claims to be serious this time. Police and fire leaders say Brown is merely grandstanding again. Efforts to reach Mayor Steve Casey for his comments on this issue were unsuccessful.
Brown vows crackdown on injury abuses : Home: The Buffalo News#comment#comment#comment

Here are some of the more interesting comments from Buffalo News readers on this story. Most were anti-Urkel but some agreed with him:

-Here's a suggestion: Have the News publish the names and addresses of those receiving these benefits. Then let their neighbors share their observations on those who are cheating. Publish a phone number where these reports can be made with guaranteed anonymity and get ready for (pardon the pun) a "firestorm" of reports in which to "police" the abuses that will be revealed. Nah, it's probably too simple.

-For a bigger savings, Mayor Urkel should look into the citys uncivil servants who dont really work while on duty. A citizen with a video camera could catch many every day.

-Police and Fire unions are jokes. They only look for ways to take advantage of the system and by doing so leave the taxpayer with the bill. I don't agree with Brown 99% of the time, but this is the 1%.

-My neighbor is a Cheektowaga police officer who is out on disability right now, and he rides his four wheeler all the time across the street in the woods. I told him that my father was hurt on the job and was scared to go outside and rake leaves because he though he would get caught by the insurance company. My neighbor told me if they ever caught him doing anything he wasnt supposed to the union would never let that evidence come to light.

-You think fake comp claims are bad with the Buffalo police and Firemen? You should see how many questionable comp claims are in the Buffalo Board of Education!

-My neighbor is a retired cop on disability, he claims he damaged his sciatic nerve from his belt (wuss). The phony now has a second career as s security officer and runs marathons. I applaud Mayor Brown for showing some stones and taking on the corrupt unions and the biggest crooks in the world...COPS!