The Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, today announced its support of Methuen Mayor William Manzi. The council voted unanimously to endorse the Mayor’s bid for a second term as the CEO of the City of Methuen.
“I have always stood with labor proudly. It is truly humbling to know that they stand with me as well. I come from a working class family with deep roots in organized labor and I am honored to accept their support and endorsement,” said Mayor Manzi.
“We, The Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, are proud to support Mayor Manzi in his efforts towards reelection. The Mayor has always been a friend to labor and we will do all we can to ensure he remains in office to continue the great work he does each and every day for the good people of the City of Methuen,” said DJ Cronin, Secretary-Treasurer Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
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Bill Manzi.com 
Your Honor,
I congratulate you on the earning the support of the Labor Council. Being a Democrat, though, makes that achievement a slam dunk.
I am watching the presidential candidates tripping over themselves to earn support from the various unions as well.
I challenge your “support of workers” in general as disingenuous. The unions represent between 11% and 15% of the workers. Yet, they are doing everything possible to influence national, state and town laws to make it harder for non-union workers to work. Example; The “fairness rate” has boosted the cost of the youth facility by a million dollars. This means workers must be paid union wages, thereby, preventing non union workers from having a cost advantage. Kids take on the chin also. Taxpayers take in their wallets.
Who represents the 80% of non union workers in this State and town? Your in the AFL-CIO pocket, so it’s not you. (Deval Patrick, the peoples Governor, submits to the union’s will handily).
This should be an interesting discussion, your honor.
I await you reply.
(When are you going to post the transportation boondoggle for discussion?)
Jules
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Before I write a full response let me first welcome you back. I must compliment you on that letter that whipsawed my good friend Steve Baddour. Tsk Tsk Tsk. I have not let on to Steve that you are a contributor to my blog. I will post a fuller response shortly.
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I Look forward to resuming our te-ta-te’s.
When you talk to your good friend, ask him if he plans to respond to my question at the end of my response to his op-ed piece?
Jules
PS I plan an S-CHIP response.
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Jules,
As a Mayor I can say I do not always agree with union positions. But I can say that if there is a construction project occuring in Methuen I would like to see Methuen people working on it and deriving a financial benefit from economic development. If there is a choice I would like to see health benefits and pension benefits attached to such work. I do not believe that the trade unions are doing anything wrong in promoting such values. As far as the Governor goes it is true to say that he has union support. But it is also true that Republican governors, with some minor exceptions, have been strongly anti-union. As far as the non unionized work force I would guess that a large portion of them would appreciate belonging to a union, and may in fact desire to join one. Not everyone wants to work in low paying non benefit jobs. I await your reply.
Bill
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Your Honor,
The statistics I quoted in my first reply covers the entire nation. 80% of working Americans choose not to join unions.
Unions back politicians in order to improve their ability to enlarge their membership and influence through favorable legislations. They do this because they cannot influence potential members through ideas in a free market.
Consequently, I challenge your idea that many non-union people would like to belong to a union. They are free to do so.
Question: How many successful industries are union dominated?
Personally, I wish all politicians would not accept any endorsements from any type of organizations. They ALL want something.
The Governor is in many pockets, including union. I believe he has signed into law the right for unions to sign up state employees without a private vote. Who gains from that one your honor. Please confirm if I am right or wrong.
We are in a period where the Democratic party’s motto is,”Ask not what I can do for my country, ask, instead what my country can do for me”.
I challenge your observation that many people are in low pay/no benefit jobs. Most people have good jobs. They spend their lives preparing for good jobs. Some don’t. No one can make everyone rich in a free society.
But, that’s a discussion for another time.
Ball is in your court
Jules
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