Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumJoe Biden crosses a picket line to fundraise w/ healthcare exec?!?
With Protest Outside Big-Dollar Fundraiser, Healthcare Union Members Call on Biden to Back Their Fight Against KaiserbyJake Johnson, staff writer
Source:https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/05/08/protest-outside-big-dollar-fundraiser-healthcare-union-members-call-biden-back-their
Note: Published under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License, so reproduced in full from link above. Emphases added.
"Joe Biden's statements about mental health will ring hollow if he can't make them directly to giant HMOs like Kaiser."
Healthcare workers protest as former Vice President Joe Biden attends a fundraiser at the Los Angeles home of Kaiser Foundation board member Cynthia Telles.
Workers with a California healthcare union gathered Wednesday to voice their disapproval as 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden attended a big-dollar fundraiser at the Los Angeles home of a Kaiser Foundation board member.
As HuffPost reported, the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) "is locked in a bitter, yearslong fight with Kaiser over mental health staffing levels in the healthcare provider's California facilities."
Union representatives called on Bidenwho is presenting himself on the campaign trail as a "union man"to cancel the event, which was hosted by Kaiser Foundation board member Dr. Cynthia Telles. The Kaiser Foundation is a subsidiary of the healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente.
NUHW president Sal Rosselli said he never heard back from Biden's team.
"Kaiser, Kaiser, you can't hide, we can see your greedy side!" union members chanted outside of Telles's home.
According to an invitation seen by HuffPost, average contributions at the event ranged from $250 per person to $2,800the maximum for individual donations in a presidential primary.
"The executive board members, the president of Kaiser Permanentethese executives are writing big checks to the vice president," Rosselli told ABC News ahead of Wednesday's event. "We'd ask him to use his influence with them to fix their mental healthcare system, to work with their clinicians to do it, to urge Cynthia Telles to meet with the psychologistsher fellow psychologiststo learn the inadequacies of the current system."
John Nelson, vice president of communications at Kaiser Permanente, attacked the union's demonstration in a statement shortly after the fundraiser began.
"This is a publicity stunt by union leadership disguised as a bargaining tactic aimed at disrupting a board member's event," Nelson said.
NUHW vice president Elizabeth White responded on Twitter, "This is no stunt!"
According to HuffPost, NUHW "has long alleged that Kaiser understaffs its mental health clinics, leading to long waits for vulnerable patients. The union has demanded that Kaiser hire more therapists and put pay and benefits on par with other employees in medical care."
On Twitter, NUHW said Biden's past "statements about mental health will ring hollow if he can't make them directly to giant HMOs like [Kaiser]."
This is unacceptable from any Democratic candidate.
-app
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
stonecutter357
(12,699 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hekate
(91,055 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(146,029 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
area51
(11,945 posts)as Biden is against comprehensive Medicare for All.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(298,139 posts)They weren't on strike.. nobody stopped work.
They were Not even at their place of employment. Biden didn't cross a "picket line".
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)According to the article, 4,000+M NUHW workers were striking as recently as December, and they still lack a contract.
If the union is smart enough to bring the protest to a Kaiser board member's home, then that's where the picket line is, afaic.
Why are you showing more solidarity with a private, for-profit corporate board member than with unionized health care workers?
No wonder private sector unionization is under 7%...
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/30/union-membership-2/
With friends like these, how can unions do anything but shrink?
-app
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(298,139 posts)those trying to smear Joe Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)It was an informal picket sanctioned and organised by a registered union
The Hill
Health care workers to picket outside Biden fundraiser
The president of a California union representing health care workers said members will picket outside Vice President Joe Biden's upcoming fundraiser in Los Angeles set to be held at the home of a director of the Kaiser Foundation.
HuffPost reported Tuesday that the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), an Oakland-based union representing more than 3,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in the state, will hold an informal picket outside Biden's Wednesday event.
The union has battled Kaiser for years over staffing levels in California clinics, according to HuffPost, and is reportedly pressuring Biden's campaign to side with union workers over his donors. The former vice president defended unions in recent days after criticism from President Trump over several unions' endorsement of Biden's campaign.
"He should take our side in this dispute," union president Sal Rosselli told HuffPost. "I think he should walk. He should cancel it."
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/442082-documents-provide-glimpse-into-buttigiegs-military-service
The National Union of Healthcare workers split form SEIU in 2009. It has 11,000 members.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
R B Garr
(17,022 posts)supporters. Sal Roselli has a history. Hes a Bernie supporter. No escaping what happened in years prior. Their credibility might be what the resistance to them is about.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)I was addressing the question whether this was a official picket/protest sanctioned and organised by a registered union.
My sister has direct experience of Kaisers mental health care in California. She has too dollar coverage. The under resourcing is woeful.
For what its worth, I believe retaining they ACA with a string strong Public Option is the way to go. If existing regulation of private insurers is falling short, tighten it. MFA advocates remind.me of search and destroy tacticians. We had to burn down the village in order to save it.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(146,029 posts)This was not a picket in the real world http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/picketing.html
Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/picketing.html
In the real world this is not a picket
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)4all. I am on Medicare. Thank goodness thats not the only insurance I have.
Not being for Medicare4all does not mean a) being against universal healthcare b) being against unions
As I understand it, there are several other options through which to offer affordable healthcare 4all.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wasupaloopa
(4,516 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
hay rick
(7,678 posts)Biden did not cross a picket line. This is a smear.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapucelle
(18,419 posts)most likely because there was no picket line to cross.
noun
a boundary established by workers on strike, especially at the entrance to the place of work, which others are asked not to cross.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ismnotwasm
(42,030 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ismnotwasm
(42,030 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #6)
LongtimeAZDem This message was self-deleted by its author.
EveHammond13
(2,855 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)for his political fate, Biden would not cross a picket line. You should be decrying a staged effort to discredit Biden rather than chiming in on a debunked story.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)Unions are free to take their struggle to company board members' houses, afaiac.
-app
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)he did NOT cross a picket line. It was a protest.
The story being spread is a smear by a Sanders supporter, Sal Rosselli who is quoted.
Yes, he gave a story to HuffPost before the protest, as part of the set up. HuffPost favors Sanders heavily.
So the problem is a mischaracterization of what Biden ignored, while the essential criticism is that he takes money from big donors.
The protesting workers are not out of work, by the way. Biden is not a scab.
A snob? You decide.
https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/dont-go-joe-biden-passes-union-protest-to-attend-big-money-fundraiser/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)a "picket line".. Get to know the Difference.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)Bad news.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
marybourg
(12,650 posts)should not be crossed. Picketing a home smacks of a set-up intended to ensnare the candidate going to a planned fundraiser at the home. A home is not a legitimate target of picketing and its reasonable to disregard such picketing.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)What other rules do you intend to impose upon unions? And by what authority?
A legitimate target is where the union decides to picket. But your scab-logic would be embraced at many Republican sites, I am sure.
-app
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
msongs
(67,509 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)These stunts are Backfiring on BS..
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=114114
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(49,139 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)is trying to smear Joe Biden with "crossing a picket line" when there was no "picket line".
And please don't insult the poster by telling her that her "logic would be embraced by repub sites". That's just wrong.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marybourg
(12,650 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,356 posts)What's that about?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)pick·et line
/ˈpikit ˌlīn/
noun
a boundary established by workers on strike, especially at the entrance to the place of work, which others are asked not to cross.
No strike, not the place of work.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(146,029 posts)In the real world this is not considered to be a picket line https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/picket_line
they crossed the picket line
hundreds came to support the strikers on the picket line
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)(I have a personal connection to this - My sister can attest just how poor Kaisers mental heslth Care is in CA, even with top dollar insurance)
Health care workers to picket outside Biden fundraiser
The president of a California union representing health care workers said members will picket outside Vice President Joe Biden's upcoming fundraiser in Los Angeles set to be held at the home of a director of the Kaiser Foundation.
HuffPost reported Tuesday that the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), an Oakland-based union representing more than 3,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in the state, will hold an informal picket outside Biden's Wednesday event.
The union has battled Kaiser for years over staffing levels in California clinics, according to HuffPost, and is reportedly pressuring Biden's campaign to side with union workers over his donors. The former vice president defended unions in recent days after criticism from President Trump over several unions' endorsement of Biden's campaign.
"He should take our side in this dispute," union president Sal Rosselli told HuffPost. "I think he should walk. He should cancel it."
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/442565-health-care-workers-to-picket-outside-biden-fundraiser
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(298,139 posts)Sanders supporters Protesting is Not a "picket line".
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)This was put up on DU and debunked.
By the way, Medias Bias/Fact Check says about the source of the story Common Dreams:
"These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation.
They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes),
publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes
... may be untrustworthy."
Again, fake news
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)I'm sorry, but I won't limit myself to corpo-approved union-hating links to post here at Democratic Underground.
-app
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,845 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)The president of a California union representing health care workers said members will picket outside Vice President Joe Biden's upcoming fundraiser in Los Angeles set to be held at the home of a director of the Kaiser Foundation.
HuffPost reported Tuesday that the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), an Oakland-based union representing more than 3,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in the state, will hold an informal picket outside Biden's Wednesday event.
The union has battled Kaiser for years over staffing levels in California clinics, according to HuffPost, and is reportedly pressuring Biden's campaign to side with union workers over his donors. The former vice president defended unions in recent days after criticism from President Trump over several unions' endorsement of Biden's campaign.
"He should take our side in this dispute," union president Sal Rosselli told HuffPost. "I think he should walk. He should cancel it."
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/442565-health-care-workers-to-picket-outside-biden-fundraiser
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(298,139 posts)and it's BACKFIRING!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,845 posts)Glad to see how quickly and thoroughly it's backfiring.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=114114
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)( And it was a protest line not a picket line really. The workers aren't on strike and and are still going to their jobs. )
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=114022
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)I am on DU very frequently, but not constantly. I missed this one.
I still think that people denying that it was a picket line are off-base. In this day and age, actual strikes are very punishing to workers. I support union actions above and beyond strikes, and I think that every Democrat should.
Work-to-rule, workplace slowdowns, public protests, off-site picket lines: these are the least of what will be necessary to regain workplace protections and fair wages.
-app
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)....knowing how these things work, no doubt Biden never even saw the "picket line". It WAS a stunt, and after the fact was blown way out of proportion.
BTW, the article states "average contributions at the event ranged from $250 per person to $2,800". How can that be? An average is ONE number, somewhere between $250 and $2800.
BTW2, the legal contribution limit is $2800, why are people complaining about people making legal contributions? EVERY candidate accepts them.
BTW3, this took place last Wednesday, why is this being brought up now, again?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)I just read about this event, and had not seen the discussion of it at DU. Did I post it in LBN? No.
I realize that it will take quite a few $250-$2800 checks to make a campaign run, but should a Democratic candidate solicit them at a private, for-profit health care corporate board member's house and refuse to even meet with the union asking for a contract from said corporation?
I am disappointed in old Joe here, and it's not like I was impressed with him prior.
-app
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(298,139 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
appal_jack
(3,813 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(298,139 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)Ageist crap should be no more welcome here than would sexism, racism, ethnophobia, homophobia...
Elders face enough discrimination, predatory behaviors, dismissal, and stereotyping in society at large.
We dont need it here.
One can give a cogent mention of Bidens age as it might affect job performance.
But the flippant, derogatory name-calling wont be tolerated by at least two of us.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)then denied it.. when it's written there for everyone to see.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....if the Secret Service was involved (most likely they were, him being an ex-Vice President) they swept him in through a back door.
And EVERY candidate has accepted $2800 or $5600 (for a married couple) contributions, even Elizabeth Warren who has already reported more than 150 worth about $500,000 total.
I don't fault any of them. In order to wage an effective campaign they HAVE to do so, every one.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Security may have required that he not enter through the front door.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ismnotwasm
(42,030 posts)Is it your understanding, that old Joe crossed a picket line to talk with healthcare executives from an insurance company? Is that what you think happened?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to ismnotwasm (Reply #50)
Post removed
highplainsdem
(49,139 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Ill drop a stone, and you count seconds until you hear it hit bottom, okay?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NYMinute
(3,256 posts)This smear has already been posted and debunked completely.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to NYMinute (Reply #40)
Post removed
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)said in the first line of its article Biden did not cross a picket line. I provided a link up thread. Use your common sense. If Biden had crossed an actual picket line, youd have seen photos of him doing it across the nation and across the pond.
You have an entire thread-ful of details. But believe what you need to.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapucelle
(18,419 posts)The HuffPo story says it was an "informational picket line", whatever that is.
a boundary established by workers on strike, especially at the entrance to the place of work, which others are asked not to cross.
There is no strike, and there was no picket line. It was a publicity stunt that failed.
I heard that there were 12 people at the protest. I wonder if they like donuts.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)along with their judicial rubber stamps there might not even BE unions in a few years.
All it takes is a 5-4 decision to impose Right To Work nationwide. From there it's a simple matter of finding a pretext, no matter how flimsy, to shut them down either legislatively or through the courts. Picture William Barr wielding RICO to break the backs of organized labor.
At least with a Dem administration and a Dem AG, labor has a fighting chance. If we take just enough seats to control the Senate that puts judicial confirmations back in our hands which allows us to temper the fascist assault on our very democracy.
Unfortunately that takes money. Lots and lots of money. I want the Dem nominee to build the biggest war chest he or she can and if that means taking PAC money or playing nice with corporate America then so be it because my goal is to get Trump and the Greedy Old Party OUT. Then we can work on greater labor protections and better funding for things like mental health care or work on blunting Citizen's United.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
4now
(1,596 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
quickesst
(6,285 posts)The biggest problem as I see it is that Joe Biden's detractors are using the run of the mill wishful thinking. Everyone knows that in order to make any progress, one has to double down, pull up your bootstraps, and use that strain till your eyes squint, sweat popping out of the forehead, grunting like you have to take a shit that's been built up for 2 weeks kind of wishful thinking. Believe me, it's the only way.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
revmclaren
(2,581 posts)Now it's just bashing a Democratic figure.
ONLY!!! 2019 and beyond.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
cilla4progress
(24,804 posts)Among just one select group of users about just one issue is somewhat frightening!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
R B Garr
(17,022 posts)Read the link in post 39. They wanted to stop the fundraiser. That is not union business. LOL, the desperation to force fake talking points is pretty silly and so unnecessary. Going to someones home is not anything informational. Its a protest.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(298,139 posts)For the next time someone tries to smear Joe Biden with "crossing a picket line".
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emulatorloo
(44,276 posts)Maybe write positive threads about Warren instead. Those would be interesting
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
EveHammond13
(2,855 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
WeekiWater
(3,259 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Fail.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided