The Cover America Now! rally drew several hundred union members, activists, and a few politicians to Legislative Plaza this evening for speeches and musical acts highlighting the need for health care reform. Among those attending were Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Tuke, Democrat Mike Stewart running for TN House in the 52nd District, and at-large Metro Council Member Jerry Maynard.
The coverage was eclectic including WTVF and BBC Radio. Singer Jonell Mosser and the Rev. Ed Sanders of the Metropolitan Interdenominational Church got the most excited reaction from the crowd of progressive activists and United Steelworkers, SEIU members, and other union representatives.
The Tennessee Equality Project was one of several organizations that sponsored the event.
Showing posts with label SEIU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEIU. Show all posts
Monday, October 6, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Bad time to be a government employee in Nashville
Whether you work for Metro or for the State, chances are that someone has been evaluating how essential your job is. 2000 buyouts are being discussed for State government and 200 layoffs for Metro are in the works.
Let's say that most of these employees are downtown, just for the sake of argument. And let's say that all of them eat lunch for about $5 per person every day (or spend $5 downtown on something just about every day), that's an almost $3 Million impact on downtown in one year.
Of course, not all of the employees whose jobs are being cut work downtown. And not all of them spend $5 on lunch, but some spend more and some buy other things. And many of the Metro employees who are being laid off will land in other Metro jobs...or at least that's the hope.
I'm not saying the State or Metro had good alternatives, but there will be an impact beyond those employees and their families. I should note that SEIU's Mark Naccarato thinks Metro could approach the matter differently. He accuses Mayor Dean of "robbing Peter to pay Paul." Not surprising considering that SEIU endorsed Bob Clement in the runoff. By way of disclaimer, I should add that TEP-PAC endorsed Dean in the runoff.
Let's say that most of these employees are downtown, just for the sake of argument. And let's say that all of them eat lunch for about $5 per person every day (or spend $5 downtown on something just about every day), that's an almost $3 Million impact on downtown in one year.
Of course, not all of the employees whose jobs are being cut work downtown. And not all of them spend $5 on lunch, but some spend more and some buy other things. And many of the Metro employees who are being laid off will land in other Metro jobs...or at least that's the hope.
I'm not saying the State or Metro had good alternatives, but there will be an impact beyond those employees and their families. I should note that SEIU's Mark Naccarato thinks Metro could approach the matter differently. He accuses Mayor Dean of "robbing Peter to pay Paul." Not surprising considering that SEIU endorsed Bob Clement in the runoff. By way of disclaimer, I should add that TEP-PAC endorsed Dean in the runoff.
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