Friday, July 27, 2007

Outsourcing the Picket Line

Hypocrisy at its worst:

The picketers marching in a circle in front of a downtown Washington office building chanting about low wages do not seem fully focused on their message.

Many have arrived with large suitcases or bags holding their belongings, which they keep in sight. Several are smoking cigarettes. One works a crossword puzzle. Another bangs a tambourine, while several drum on large white buckets. Some of the men walking the line call out to passing women, "Hey, baby." A few picketers gyrate and dance while chanting: "What do we want? Fair wages. When do we want them? Now."

Although their placards identify the picketers as being with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, they are not union members.

They're hired feet, or, as the union calls them, temporary workers, paid $8 an hour to picket. Many were recruited from homeless shelters or transitional houses. Several have recently been released from prison. Others are between jobs. Read More.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hypocrisy indeed.

Wonder if the unions engaged in hiring pickets would consider this "outsourcing"?

Ron Ballew said...

The whole thing is interesting. No benefits, can't organize and form their own union. Basically doing everything they fight against as a union.