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Obama defers to unions over U.S. mayors
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Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline
In a move of clear political pandering, the Obama administration has decided that members of his team will take a pass on attending this year's vital meeting with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, choosing to defer to a years long labor dispute between firefighters and the city of Providence, R.I.
"Unfortunately, because of circumstances surrounding the conference, administration officials will not be participating in this year's meeting," stated White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs.
Just what are these "circumstances?" Is there a national emergency? Has there been some sort of natural disaster? Has there been a terrorist attack - oops, I mean "man-caused disaster?"
No, it was none of these things. The Obama administration has decided to pass on this vital meeting with the nation's mayors because the firefighters threatened to set up a picket line at the meeting, and they determined that not crossing that picket line was more important than attending. In addition, and true to Obama's past behavior, he made this announcement at the last minute, as the meeting is to take place one week from today.
Obviously, this annual meeting carries extra significance in light of the national recession and the Administration's economic stimulus plan. The importance of the President's people being there to support and communicate with these front line leaders can't be understated. You'd think that the man who ran on a "fix-the-economy" platform would insist on being there, not to mention that he usually feels that nothing can happen without him anyway.
"While this administration is taking no position on the circumstances of the dispute itself, we have always respected picket lines, and administration officials will not cross this one," Gibbs said.
Isn't making the decision not to cross a picket line taking a position? Aren't you saying that you support the union over the city of Providence? If you're truly "taking no position," isn't it better to meet with the nation's mayors? Even the president of the union sees this as support for their cause.
"We appreciate the Obama administration's support of fire fighters. This is another example of the administration's unqualified support for workers and organized labor." - Firefighters' International Association president, Harold Schaitberger
Yep, the Obama administration has "unqualified' support for workers and organized labor, even at the expense of the nation's economic issues. Somehow the phrase, "get your priorities straight" comes to mind. No union concern should be paramount to the national issues our nation faces or the local issues Providence is facing. In fact, doesn't it seem that helping the nation's mayors would be the right thing to do if your union is struggling? Wouldn't helping Providence benefit the fire fighters?
Apparently, Obama feels that deferring to the unions is more important that supporting U.S. mayors.
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