Thread: Unions Join With Obama Re Amnesty

From Yesterday's New York Times, as linked to in Roger Hedgecock's e-mail newsletter.

Immigration Accord by Labor Boosts Obama Effort
JULIA PRESTON and STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: April 13, 2009

The nation’s two major labor federations have agreed for the first time to join forces to support an overhaul of the immigration system, leaders of both organizations said on Monday. The accord could give President Obama significant support among unions as he revisits the stormy issue in the midst of the recession.

John Sweeney, president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., and Joe T. Hansen, a leader of the rival Change to Win federation, will present the outlines of their new position on Tuesday in Washington. In 2007, when Congress last considered comprehensive immigration legislation, the two groups could not agree on a common approach. That legislation failed.

The accord endorses legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already in the United States and opposes any large new program for employers to bring in temporary immigrant workers, officials of both federations said.

But while the compromise repaired one fissure in the coalition that has favored broad immigration legislation, it appeared to open another. An official from the United States Chamber of Commerce said Monday that the business community remained committed to a significant guest-worker program.

“If the unions think they’re going to push a bill through without the support of the business community, they’re crazy,â€

this is utterly cynical on teh part of teh unions. this is only to get more members. claiming workers rights for illegals is insane. tehy are not supposed to be here comrads!

alamb, that's the problem, isn't it. Businesses hire illegals to cut wages and benefits, politicians court illegals to increase their party membership, Catholic church officials seek amnesty to increase their revenues, and now unions consider legalization to increase their membership rolls. Nowhere in any of this is there even a hint of a first principle of what should be everybody's starting position: It's Americans and the quality of American life first in this magnificent country.

Is Obama planning to run for a second term? He might need those illegal aliens votes to win next round .... he is a smart man.... I tell you

Is Obama planning to run for a second term? He might need those illegal aliens votes to win next round .... he is a smart man.... I tell you