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Alleged “plutocrat” to join SEIU on picket line today

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Illinois

* From SEIU Healthcare…

As Illinois nursing home owners come under heightened scrutiny for improper patient discharges and inadequate staffing care, nursing home workers will picket at 10 nursing homes in the Chicago area on Friday, including Alden Wentworth on the South Side and Legacy Chalet on the North to stand up for fair wages, quality jobs, and patient care.

Over 10,000 nursing home workers at 103 facilities have, as members of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, been fighting to negotiate a new contract for over a year to improve the quality of nursing home jobs and address concerns over low wages and patient care. Yet, despite receiving about $1 billion in revenue each year and an increasing number of residents, for-profit nursing home owners have refused to significantly raise staffing levels and have actively worked to keep wages low.

The owners want the right to pay workers less than the minimum wage – despite the demanding nature of their work, the level of skill and training required and the crucial role workers play in safeguarding the well-being of seniors and people with disabilities in their care.

* From the JB Pritzker campaign…

TODAY at 3:30 PM: JB Pritzker to Join SEIU Healthcare Illinois Picket

* From yesterday’s statement reacting to Pritzker’s campaign announcement by United Working Families, of which SEIU Healthcare Illinois is by far the largest member…

BREAKING: Battle of the Billionaires […]

A real estate mogul in the White House. An investment banker in Chicago’s City Hall. And now the billionaires are battling it out for the Illinois Governor’s mansion, while more and more working people are left behind.

It’s time to build something different: politics for the people, not the plutocrats.

* So, I asked SEIU Healthcare what the heck was going on. I mean, your coalition calls the guy a “plutocrat” on Thursday and you picket with him on Friday? The union’s response…

Today, we’re focused on nursing home workers and their fight for living wages and safe staffing for their residents—not on an election that is a year away. At least four candidates who have declared for governor are supporting these workers, along with many others—and we appreciate that support.

UWF is an independent political organization made up of individuals and organizations—HCII is one of those organizations. None that we are aware of have made any endorsements—but most are here in the picket line supporting nursing home workers fighting for living wages and safe staffing.

* According to the union, Ameya Pawar, Chris Kennedy and Kurt Summers are also joining the workers on the picket line today and Daniel Biss has expressed his support but is out of town.

Having just about all the candidates for governor joining together on a work action is a pretty major event.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:33 am

Comments

Curious if you guys think SEIU/UWF will end up endorsing in the primary? If so what way do you predict it will go

Comment by Franklin Delano Bluth Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:38 am
In such a crowded field, you wonder if there’s room for a single Democrat to run on a “I’m for big government, but I’m also for standing up to the unions on behalf of taxpayers” candidate. There’s going to be a bigger democratic primary turnout than usual because of Trump. Jim Brady showed you can win a crowded primary by appealing to a certain core. (Of course, he didn’t show that such a candidate could win the general…)

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:38 am
It actually goes back to what Pritzker said about values. He’d hardly be the first rich guy to believe the system overly rewards his own bracket, and he’ll have the resources to push such a message if he wants.

But it’ll always have his limits. He’ll never fully shed the worry that he’s just a Poverty Tourist.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:40 am
===He’ll never fully shed the worry that he’s just a Poverty Tourist===

Your concern is noted Arsenal. Lol.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:42 am
BTW- as someone who phone-banked for Pat Quinn a LOT, I can tell you that swing voters are ice cold about attacking someone just for being rich.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:43 am
Bill Brady (what can I say, I was a political kid, my mind reverts to Jim)

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:43 am
==Your concern is noted Arsenal. Lol.==

Thanks?

I think you misunderstand me. I’m not rooting *against* Pritzker, and while that could change (it’s a long primary) I’m not looking for reasons to dislike him. And hell, the first part of my post was pretty positive on him!

But as I said yesterday, I think there’s a large segment of the Democratic Primary electorate that is frustrated at the idea that we need our own rich guy,and Pritzker will never find the platform, message, or organization to make him “Not Rich”.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:46 am
Perhaps he can inform the crowd that Gorsuch was just confirmed to the Supreme Court.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:47 am
Just checking Arsenal. The other day you wondered aloud whether Pritzker would actually spend his cash on the race or if he was only bluffing.

Pritzker’s job isn’t to rebrand himself as “Not Rich.” His job is to convince Democratic primary voters that he’s qualified, competent, likable and “on our side.” And that he can beat Governor Ruiner.

I think he can accomplish that, but that’s why we have primaries. Being wealthy has never disqualified any Democrat in the past. Why do you think it will this time?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 10:56 am
==The other day you wondered aloud whether Pritzker would actually spend his cash on the race or if he was only bluffing.==

And I still do! I mean, he’s said all the right things in public, and in “private” he’s pretty detailed about it. But until the A1s are filed…

==Why do you think it will this time?==

Never said it will. Just that it’s a problem for some, and that I don’t think any amount of policy concessions or public events will ever convince them.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:06 am
He’s not looking like Blair Hull so far, I think everyone can be happy about that. Absolutely right that this is why we have primaries, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Comment by Baines 4 Prez Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:08 am
Hyatt is not a particularly Union friendly hotel chain. Just saying

Comment by Sue Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:32 am
What a beautiful thing–Democratic politicians appearing at a physical location highlighting issues impacting human services. Use a strong campaign issue and maybe do some good.

A strong leader of the IDP would have had Democrats doing this near-constantly over the past couple of years to highlight the damage being done to the human service system.

Of course, as we’ve discussed, that doesn’t do much unless the media covers it. If only the IDP had a leader who get his/her name in the news. /s

Comment by Earnest Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:33 am
I’m pretty sure J.B. has never been a Hyatt executive Sue.

Just saying.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:35 am
Pritzker is dead serious about public service. He’s not playing at anything. He might be overly optimistic about both campaigning and governing challenges — but that is common among pols.

Comment by walker Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:36 am
Hey 47-a considerable chunk of JB’s $$ came from his family’s ownership of Hyatt. Whether he has been in one isn’t the issue. His family businesses were well run which means not rolling over for unions

Comment by Sue Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:38 am
plu·to·crat - ˈplo͞odəˌkrat/ - noun: a person whose power derives from their wealth.

If the shoe fits.

Comment by HonestGraft Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:43 am
Wow, did you uncover that oppo gem all by yourself Sue? A Pritzker owns Hyatt stock? Stop the presses. Now show me where J.B. played an active role in management decisions of the company.

My 401 (k) mutual fund owns stock in Walmart. I guess that makes me anti-union too.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 11:45 am
47th Ward-

Your 401k is not your family. Family matters. This man’s power and the fact he is running is derived from the familial wealth and position.

I am sure the Teamster’s are going to hold Bobby Kennedy’s actions against Chris.

Is it fair? Probably not. Does it matter? No.

Comment by Come on man! Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 12:04 pm
Come on man,

I’m going to try hard over the next several months not to tear down any of the Democrats running for Governor. At some point, they will all do something dumb, and I’d like to think I’ll be intellectually honest enough to call them out on that stuff, when it happens.

Until then, I’ll leave it to the GOP and Ruiner to attack the Democratic candidates while I defend them where possible. That’s how I hope to spend the next few months.

If Democrats are going to spend this time tearing into other Democrats, all we’ll do is help re-elect the worst governor in Illinois history. I won’t play that game, tempting as it may be.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 12:09 pm
===I am sure the Teamster’s are going to hold Bobby Kennedy’s actions against Chris===

You watch too much TV.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 12:16 pm
Pritzker, as other Democrats, know obtaining the union vote is key to securing the nomination. Thus, 2017 would be a great year for unions to demonstrate, knowing these guys will fall over themselves to get into the picture with them.

However, 2018 will be a little dicier, as they will suddenly have to explain a) how much of the blame unions should bear for Illinois’ current budget mess, and b) why they’re not just going to be a rubberstamp for whatever the unions want. Those picket line photos will not be helpful in those efforts.
Of course, they may wager that Illinois voters have very short memories and will believe that everything is Rauner’s fault. In which case, go for it.

Comment by JB13 Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 1:18 pm
–I am sure the Teamster’s are going to hold Bobby Kennedy’s actions against Chris.–

Raoul Castro, too.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 1:23 pm
Sue,

I don’t know about you, but I sure hope nobody is holding me responsible for the actions of my siblings, cousins or other family members. JB last worked at Hyatt washing sheets as a 14 year old. He’s never been on the board and never had a say in the running of Hyatt. So what I see an ad yesterday saying JB treats workers horribly and cites Hyatt as an example, I really have to scratch my head.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 2:32 pm
If you’re the GOP pushing a Right To Work governor, this attack is pretty…oh I don’t know…hypocritical.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170407/BLOGS02/170409906/gop-rips-into-pritzkers-hyatt-record

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 2:35 pm
Atualmente tenho 46 anos sou virgem e também jamais tenho filhos,
contudo ao longo de que me conheço rigoroso mto ignorar de me atentar em relação a os
demais bem como com porvir. https://comotrataraansiedade.wordpress.com/

Comment by augusto Cury Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 2:38 pm
I think a competitive primary might be the best thing for the Dems; it keeps Rauner from being able to fully focus his fire (and $) on any one candidate, while letting the Dems fully vet and test their candidates, who all should collectively be teeing off on Rauner anyways.

Comment by Veil of Ignorance Friday, Apr 7, 17 @ 3:56 pm