Union leader says “We are better than that”
Wednesday, Jun 8, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Illinois Valley Building Trades Council’s Facebook page…
On Monday, many union members gathered at City Hall in Ottawa to convey their extreme discontentment with Governor Rauner’s Turn-Around Agenda. To remain silent or to let his visit pass without response would be a false communication of acceptance of his agenda.
Union members, like most Illinoisans, want a budget. What we cannot accept is a budget compromise that takes away workers’ right to bargain collectively, be paid a decent wage, or work in a safe environment. These rights were gained from real struggles throughout history, often at great sacrifice. These sacrifices have created many of the rights and working conditions that all workers, regardless of union membership, enjoy. We cannot remain silent as these working conditions and rights are eroded through political agendas.
On Monday, it was our intention to communicate to Governor Rauner that we cannot and will not accept compromise or a political agenda that will in essence result in a steady regression back to the working conditions of the sweatshops and coal mines.
That being said, the profanity-laced personal insults that were directed at the Governor and State Senator Sue Rezin as they left the courthouse were unfortunate and unnecessary. We are better than that. I understand the frustration with this Governor’s political and economic philosophies, but there is a better, more effective means of communicating that frustration. We, as Americans, have enjoyed and celebrated our Constitutional right to free speech throughout history. It is exactly this right that has enabled all citizens the opportunity to be heard, resulting in social and political change. However, this right to free speech does not suggest that personal insults are an effective means of communicating that dissatisfaction.
It is my hope that all Illinoisans can agree to address political agendas or actions while remaining focused on the issues at hand, instead of allowing frustrations to prevail, resulting in personal attacks, which will surely result in only further unruliness and the prevention of an equitable solution.
Steven Conrad
President, Illinois Valley Building Trades Council
Agreed. Some of the commenters here yesterday who registered support of that disgusting behavior were just flat-out wrong. It was uncalled for and there’s no excusing it away. Conrad was right to speak out.
* I asked Mike Phillips if anybody knew who that guy was in the lime green shirt who appeared to be the most loudly obscene and even physical at the protest…
No. I am a member of the local labor council (AFL-CIO). We do not know if he is a member of one of our locals. However, because we (labor council & building trades council) organized the rally it was important to make a statement regarding the unfortunate and unnecessary actions of some of those present.
The press coverage by the local paper did include important statements from some of those present. It is our hope that those statements will get some traction. The Republicans would prefer the focus be on the few who were rude.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 9:55 am:
Excellent article from The Times-
http://tinyurl.com/h8gqw5r
From the article:
And, to be fair, are there any lessons for media covering these events?
Just last week, The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale made a bold move, choosing not to cover the governor’s visit at all.
“These ‘events’ are orchestrated precisely so that the media will write about them, photograph them and shoot video to show on newscasts,” the newspaper’s editor said in an editorial piece.
The idea is not to cave in any time a high-ranking political figure holds an agenda-driven press conference, especially when there’s nothing new to be gained.
We may not go that far for our newspaper, because as mentioned before, there’s still merit in the coverage.
Tuesday’s paper balanced the coverage between the governor’s message, the union members’ message and an article critically exploring if the governor is for right-to-work legislation.
We have to continue to ask the critical questions that go beyond the message.
Shouting the same political rhetoric back and forth isn’t progress. The state is overdue for action.”
Amen!
- Delimma - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 9:55 am:
This is a spot-on response to comments that don’t represent the goals and values of a group of people.
- sal-says - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 9:58 am:
== It is my hope that all Illinoisans can agree to address political agendas or actions while remaining focused on the issues at hand, instead of allowing frustrations to prevail, resulting in personal attacks, which will surely result in only further unruliness and the prevention of an equitable solution. ==
This is a good read for Raunner to take to heart & learn from.
- Illinois Bob - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:00 am:
An excellent, well thought out response. It’s what Hillary and Bernie SHOULD have said regarding the violence from their supporters at Trump events.
I’m actually starting to think of union leadership in Illinois as more than extorting pirates…LOL.
Well played, sir, well played…
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:01 am:
I agree that screaming obscenities in public is an uncivil act.
I’d also argue that manufacturing a fiscal “crisis to create opportunity” to “leverage” a partisan agenda is a far more uncivil act.
The obscenities are gone in the wind.
But thousands of people have lost their jobs, non-profits are going out of business and citizens’ needs are not being met due to the governor’s uncivil acts.
The fact that he can commit those acts without yelling naughty words does not make them respectable.
- burbanite - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:01 am:
Steven Conrad +1
- Anon - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:01 am:
===It was uncalled for and inexcusable and there’s no excusing it away.===
I don’t mean to defend the hurling of insults or foul language, but I do think it is a symptom of the situation. As such I think that if the situation continues that we’ll see more of this.
I find it interesting how few folks connect the disparity between our modern attitudes for political protest and what we celebrate in our history books. Samuel Adams lead mobs that assaulted and battered members of the military, they attacked public servants, and burned physical representations of their colonial leadership, and the much hailed Boston Tea Party was the destruction of private property by folks pretending to be a different ethnicity in a play on attitudes towards other races.
At some point when your government isn’t doing it’s job, these are the kinds of result one should expect.
Is it excusable? No. But it should be expected.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:04 am:
Mr. Conrad gets it. The behavior wasn’t simply rude, it was threatening. He completely understands how that display negatively affects the image of his organization. He wasn’t willing to excuse the behavior. Anyone who justified it needs to step back and re-evaluate what the stakes are here, and what the best posture is to achieving a positive outcome.
The President of the Council wasted little time in mopping this up. Listen to him.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:04 am:
Gospel truth Wordslinger
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:04 am:
Steve Conrad, +1…
And again, yesterday, - Todd - +1
There’s always one in the crowd. Ugh.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:05 am:
Kudos to the IVBTC. Well said.
Some of the apologists in comments yesterday were despicable. That stands today, as they cannot see past their own zealotry, anger and bias.
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:06 am:
A well reasoned response by Mr. Conrad. No good can come out of such unruly behavior by a handful of individuals.
The bigger issue is the growing disparity of income between the earners at the very top and the rest of us. The Governor’s collective bargaining agenda will only increase that disparity which is the last thing the middle class needs right now.
- Team Warwick - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:06 am:
There are rudely mannered jerks in every walk of life. It says more about how their momma raised them, than anything about the target bearing the brunt of their verbal abuse. People get stressed and passionate about their viewpoints, including the belligerent brute at your kids
ballgame booing the referee and swearing. Is he a bad guy? Probably not. His manners are trash though. Could he have been raised better? Probably so. Was that guy angry? Probably so. Can we cure verbally abusive jerks? In my experience no. Their value system does not see the target as a valuable human being, they are an “object” or thing, nit a person. Can people learn better manners through education? Certainly yes.
- Springfieldish - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Just a day after Mark Kirk is heralded as “outstanding” for jumping on a rolling and crowded band-wagon excoriating Donald Trump, we see a union representative seriously and unequivocally chastising presumptive members for for unacceptable conduct in a timely fashion. Pity that we’ll see far fewer kudos here than for Kirk and Rauner’s too little statements made far too late.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Wordslinger +1
- Norseman - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Steven Conrad +2
=== The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale made a bold move, choosing not to cover the governor’s visit at all. ===
This certainly won’t be the choice of anyone else in the media, but it would be nice to see the article read: Governor here yesterday. Repeated his usual speech. He was met by protesters and then left town.
- Joe M - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:24 am:
Rauner has stated a number of times that he wanted to create “crisis” What effect did he think crisis would have on people? He shouldn’t be surprised at some of the responses to the crisis he has created.
- Graduated College Student - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:31 am:
===Anyone who justified it needs to step back and re-evaluate what the stakes are here, and what the best posture is to achieving a positive outcome.===
Rauner doesn’t consider the unions or their individual members to be a peer group, so their concerns and posture are irrelevant to him.
Which means there is no posture that can achieve a “positive outcome.”
- phocion - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:33 am:
== uncalled for and inexcusable and there’s no excusing it away==
And yet many on this board are continuing to excuse it. And to the “anonymous” poster who suggests that protests against duly elected officials should rise to the level of violence because that’s what happened during the American Revolution, perhaps you need a history lesson. First, that was a WAR. It was a war that occurred because the colonists did not have elected representatives. Because they were under an occupying force. Because their rights to assemble and their very liberties were threatened. Equating a political dispute with that is sheer idiocy and calls for anarchy in our republican (small r) system of government. Yes, there are always winners and losers in political fights. Those who support higher taxes with no accountability for results while maintaining a system that is hostile to business formation and growth do not have a monopoly on the truth. Opposition to that position is not a pretext for threats, vulgarities, misogyny or violence against anyone, including duly elected officials. There. Is. No. Excuse. For. That.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:40 am:
==Which means there is no posture that can achieve a “positive outcome.”==
Mr. Conrad disagrees. Vehemently. Go swear at him.
- LINK - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:43 am:
For what it’s worth, a thought crossed my mind as I read the comments yesterday and today about the dichotomy (and comparison) between the damages being purposedly wrought by Rauner and “bad words” hurled out by protesters. What I mean is on television/movies it used to be more acceptable to show violence as opposed to nudity. Yet, yesterday we were taken aback by the “bad words” and actions of a few and that was the focus of news reports and the like BUT little was mentioned with regard to the purposefully actions by Gov. Rauner that have had serious, long term and short term negative impact on so many…
Maybe I need a nap for it made sense to me 10 minutes ago!
- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:46 am:
phocion +1
Not to mention what happened during the American Revolution was happening to every single citizen in our young nation.
This is all about the chosen few…..on both sides.
- truthteller - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:50 am:
The obscenities hurled at the governor pale by comparison with the obscenity of a governor of ungodly wealth refusing to support a higher tax on his own income and that of his his rich friends. I think the damage done to kids who need education and vulnerable individuals who need public services far outweigh the damage to our sensibilities from some vulgar remarks
- WIUOblivion - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:51 am:
=Maybe he needs to see that his advisors might not be in touch with reality.=
However much I share ash’s frustration (and I do), “reality” is a slippery word. Most times we should probably talk about multiple realities being in play, especially in politics. Team Rauner sees a different set of realities than most of us who follow/comment here. It’s just possible they may be on to something — things do look different once you’re outside Chicago, some other metro areas, and university or union towns. And it’s just possible that Team Rauner feels realities there mean it doesn’t need to engage in civil discussions about those other realities. Not in favor of that, just sayin’.
- Mama - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:52 am:
==”it would be nice to see the article read: Governor here yesterday. Repeated his usual speech. He was met by protesters and then left town.”== Norseman +1
More of this please!
We need more newspapers to realize they are not helping by spending more time reporting on one bad apple instead reporting the message of the group as a whole.
- SAP - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:55 am:
This I like a lot: ==We do not know if he is a member of one of our locals. However, because we (labor council & building trades council) organized the rally it was important to make a statement regarding the unfortunate and unnecessary actions of some of those present. == No mealy-mouthed he doesn’t speak for us, he’s not one of ours. Instead, it was our rally and we take responsibility for the outcome.
- Chicago 20 - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 11:01 am:
The folks that organized the protest don’t know who Mr. Green Shirt is.
I’m sure that when they organized the protest they knew that the media would be there and having someone act like Mr. Green Shirt would be counterproductive and cast their protest in a very negative light.
So the question remains, who is Mr. Green Shirt?
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 11:02 am:
My trade union oath would have my card revoked for such behavior
- A Jack - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 11:22 am:
Wasn’t there similar cursing on the floor of the GA just a few weeks ago over the budget bill. Sandack was quoted in several papers yelling an unprintable word. And if I recall several House members felt threatened.
So such behavior is allowed on the House floor, but because now we have an alleged union member in public it is somehow worse? Did the Governor condemn that display of uncivility by House members?
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 11:32 am:
President Steven Conrad’s statement is outstanding. On the same day we see two demands for civil discourse over hostile, hate filled speech that is now so commonplace in political debate these days.
Both Conrad (and Senator Kirk on a different subject but with the same attitude) are +10 in my view right now.
- btowntruth - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 11:35 am:
If I acted like “Mr. Green Shirt” at one of my unions functions I would more than likely have a date with the executive board of my local.
- Mama - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:26 pm:
“Governor here yesterday. Repeated his usual speech. He was met by protesters and then left town.”
I would love your type of news - short, sweet and to the point. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sell newspapers.
- Todd - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:30 pm:
The %$^%&* mope in the yellow shirt appears to be Charlie Raikes from the local laborers union.
I’m not sure of his involvement, but his brothers ran that local for a number of years.
In my opinion they were often the low brow end of the labor movement who never adjusted as labor law changed and just thought that being a thug and crass knuckle dragging Neanderthal was acceptable behavior.
I’m aware of more than one issue they FUBAR’d.
Looks like even in retirement they continue that practice.
I’m sure that’s how you win friends and influence people in districts that have been trending republican.
- A Jack - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:37 pm:
Yes, the union should not lower themselves to House Republican member standards, i.e. that cursing incident over the budget bill in May.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
- phocion -
===First, that was a WAR.===
If you presume the authority to lecture me on history, it would do you well to look up dates and times of events. The Boston Tea Party occurred in 1773, the Boston Massacre that I was referring to occurred in 1770.
Lexington and Concord occurred in 1775 and I think we all know that the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
What date did the rebellion begin?
===is not a pretext for threats, vulgarities, misogyny or violence against anyone, including duly elected officials. There. Is. No. Excuse. For. That.===
You just offered an excuse. A completely non-factual excuse to boot.
My point is simply that while disreputable, any government failing so egregiously to govern should expect such back lash to occur — that’s not supporting the backlash, it’s just what happens when governments are perceived to fail at their basic functions.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
Loving God Rich, you’re going to allow the publishing of the guys name?
- Beeker - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:44 pm:
Leftists gonna left.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:45 pm:
Publish his name on hearsay? “appears to be”
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 12:53 pm:
Come on Rich. This creates trust issues. We are all on here, for the most part, with pseudonyms. It makes me nervous wondering if you would out someone because you didn’t like what they did or said. Am I in the wrong here?
- Todd - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 1:25 pm:
if it WASN’T him , poor typing skills
I’ll apologize to him
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 1:30 pm:
HB, you can’t have a reasonable expectation for anonymity when you’re screaming cuss words at the governor in the public square in front of TV cameras.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 1:42 pm:
I get that the media may find him or if someone presses charges against him, but in the days where people get death threats, I don’t think that it’s good to out someone like that. I felt bad for mentioning the specific trades that were involved. Todd, I’m not trying to impugn your honor or call you out. I am just paranoid about what people might do to him or his family. I’m mostly worried about anonymity on this site. My trust is shaken. I’ve got a lot to lose. I feel like that is in jeopardy if I anger Rich. A huge part of this is personal fear. I don’t know the guy but I would hate for something to happen to him.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 1:42 pm:
===you’re going to allow the publishing of the guys name? ===
Not just allow it. I’d actively encourage it.
- Todd - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 1:47 pm:
HB
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 1:57 pm:
Can I ask why Rich?
(Todd, did something not type? What did you mean by HB, besides obviously my pseudonym)
- phocion - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
ANON,
I didn’t bother going through the course of and the causes of the American Revolution. I am a student of history and understand when the civil unrest occurred and when the actual pitched battles were waged. Your continued defense of the indefensible is as reprehensible as the ogre who called a female state senator a b*tch and hurled other obscenities at the Governor. No excuse for it. Got that, history boy?
- Todd - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
yes and im driving now
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 2:41 pm:
HB, the guy physically thrusted himself into the news. That was his call. Not mine.
- pundent - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 2:42 pm:
Honeybear - By no means would I want to steal Rich’s thunder but this guy was a brute. He should be condemned particularly given his actions. While he’s free to make his point in a public forum he also has to recognize in this day and age there’s always a camera rolling. He’s not posting anonymously on a blog he’s putting his behavior on public display. In short he called himself out.
- Thunder Fred - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:05 pm:
HB, sometimes thugs need to have their hoods pulled off. Comment section warriors are easily ignored. Physically getting in someone’s face is a whole different story.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:18 pm:
I apologize, I had not carefully read the post above. The answers to my question are there.
I do care what people think of me on this blog. This place has been sustaining for me. I love it when my thoughts get feedback. What happens here matters to me greatly.
I also feel the uncontrollable rage that these men exhibited in Ottawa. I don’t stand outside the situation. I’m not going to deny it. A part of me would have loved to join them, for the Governor at least. Violence to women is extremely repellant to me and he went way over the line there. I regret having supported that. But you don’t know the number of times I’ve fantasized about cussing the Governor our, to scream at him, rage with every fiber of my being. I’m being personally effected by his actions. I’m also forced to trust that Madigan is being helpful and won’t sell me down the River. With my spouse and I both working for the state, everything is tied to the resolution of this conflict. Either one or both of us could fall victim. If L. Madigan kills our pay in July, we’re really shot. If Rauner puts me out on strike in September we’re going to get really pummeled financially. If the union breaks and we swallow the poison contract, we’ll pay double for two health ins plans.
So yeah, I’m a bad person who wants to scream obscenities at Governor Rauner.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:38 pm:
and thank you for responding Rich.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:44 pm:
Didn’t we eventually see the name of the lobster that promised $ to the Black Caucus here for Fantasy gambling?
This person was not seeking anonymity when he was screaming obscenities and acting threatening. In fact, he was doing the polar opposite. He considered himself heroic. I could care less if I see his name or not, but pleading for his privacy and protection here????
Nah, he gave that up himself.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 4:07 pm:
Well, that’s a good point A Guy. It didn’t make sense until you wrote that. I get it now. Sorry guys, it’s one of those days I’m having trouble coping.
- Todd - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 5:09 pm:
HB –
I had a thought a couple of hours ago, but driving to Springfield, lost part of it.
But the issue is after 25 + years in the trades I know these guys and the other players. This doesn’t help. You can dissagree with something or someone and not do what he did.
Now the video is being picked up and the anti-union guys will use this as the face of labor. That whole crew from that local is short fused with even shorter on thought
and now the building trades should give a sincere appology to Sen Rezin
- the Cardinal - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 5:12 pm:
HB the difference is, while you may want to scream obscenities at the Gov,(or anyone else) you and most others exercise self control. Identifying yourself with a group by wearing the colors and being obnoxious paints the whole group in bad light.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 6:21 pm:
Todd, you’re right I get it. I’m struggling as former clergy with how much anger is in my heart and how much hatred people have for labor which has given me so much in my new career.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 6:53 pm:
Unskilled labor is not paid to think
- Robert the 1st - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 7:53 pm:
“Yes Honeybear, yes! Let the hate flow through you!” – Bruce Rauner wearing a dark robe with low hanging hood.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 10:48 pm:
== I’m mostly worried about anonymity on this site. My trust is shaken. I’ve got a lot to lose. I feel like that is in jeopardy if I anger Rich. A huge part of this is personal fear. ==
-Honeybear-, in my years here I’ve never felt I couldn’t trust Rich. He is a Journalist … and I use that word in it’s most complimentary sense.
As to anonymity, you pretty much control that. You reveal a lot about yourself, like I do. We know your education level, your approximate current job, your religious background, etc. I could probably make a close guess to age also. Plus your writing style is unique. Your friends and even co-workers may be able to guess your identity.
I know I’ve dropped plenty of bread crumbs, including the agencies and time periods I worked, along with personal info like approximate age and hobbies. I’ve had former co-workers, friends and even close family guess and ask me if I was RNUG. If directly asked, I admit it.
And some of the other commenters here have either outed themselves to me, or I have to them. And I have a pretty good guess on a couple of others, but figure it’s their business and haven’t asked. Right now there are probably 10 - 15 people who know my identity.
That was a long winded way of saying you pretty much control your own fate here.