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August 03, 2007
Houston In The Spotlight (Sort Of)
Attending the luncheon panel here at Yearly Kos -- it's a very interesting discussion between Harold Meyerson, a Washington Post columnist and head of the American Prospect magazine and Andy Stern, the legendary head of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Stern chose to highlight the efforts to organize janitors in Houston as part of his remarks. Houstonians will recall that union organizers and local janitors caused quite a kerfuffle when they decided to block traffic one day last fall at a busy Galleria-area intersection. The blogger audience gasped when Stern told them those arrested were held for over $800,000 bail.
Interesting perspective from Stern. While many locals -- including the Mayor and much of City Council -- condemned the action taken as lawless and over the top, Stern wears it as a badge of honor and necessary to get something accomplished. (A deal was reached to give those janitors health benefits and a pay increase.)
The discussion is continuing about the need for workers to organize beyond national borders, to create global standards for fair labor practices. Most interesting.
Posted by houtopia at August 3, 2007 12:10 PM
Comments
Houstonians will recall that union organizers and local janitors caused quite a kerfuffle when they decided to block traffic one day last fall at a busy Galleria-area intersection.
Local janitors?
I'm pretty sure a few people were brought in from out of town for these "local" protests.
Posted by: kevin whited at August 3, 2007 02:38 PM