The President of the SEIU, Andy Stern, has stated that his union uses the “persuasion of power.”1 In the summer of 2009, SEIU’s “persuasion” was demonstrated at town hall meetings across the country.
At an SEIU sponsored a town hall forum with U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) in Tampa, FL, the organizers allegedly chose which participants they would let inside the building. The town hall erupted into protests and was described as a wrestling match and a riot. Rep. Castor had a police escort get her out of the building.2
At a St. Louis, Missouri town hall meeting, SEIU members clashed with opponents of health care reform, resulting in 6 arrests. They reportedly attacked a man handing out flags outside of the town hall forum.3
SEIU has amply demonstrated what it means by the persuasion of power. It’s frightening to imagine what kind of persuasion would be applied to workers if Card Check were passed into law.
1Matthew Kaminski, “Lets ‘Share The Wealth,’” The Wall Street Journal, 12/6/08
2Adam Smith, “Is This A Near Riot Or A Health Care Forum,” St. Petersburg Times, 8/7/09; Jeremy Wallace, “No Town Hall Fireworks In Buchanan’s District,” Sarasota Herald Tribune, 8/10/09
3Bill Lambrecht, “Anger Greets Lawmakers Town Hall Protests,” St. Louis Post Dispatch, 8/8/09; Ian Urbina, “Beyond Beltway, Health Debate Turns Hostile,” The New York Times, 8/8/09; Editorial, “Look For The Union Lable,” The Washington Times, 8/10/09
