Powerful Unions Back Occupy L.A.'s Class Warfare Downtown

By Dennis Romero Tue., Oct. 4 2011 at 9:02 AM

Harold Abramowitz

Occupying L.A. near Disney Hall.

Those rabble-rousers that have been stirring things up downtown L.A. in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement just got some powerful backers.

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) said hell yes to Occupy L.A. in a statement released last night. Lest you forget the federation is one of the most powerful forces in L.A. politics.

So what's the kingmaker doing in bed with the people in the street? Here's how the federation explains it:

The Los Angeles labor movement stands with its sisters and brothers occupying Wall Street, downtown Los Angeles, and cities and towns across the country who are fed up with an unfair economy that works for 1% of Americans while the vast majority of people struggle to pay the bills, get an education and raise their families.

The Occupy Wall Street movement is mobilizing for a fair economy across the country including in Los Angeles. This movement is taking a stand against the corporate bullies, banks and investment firms that not only created our economic collapse in 2008, but continue to take advantage of it today, making billions in profits while demanding further wage and benefit cuts from American workers.

Ah, the proletariat against the corporate douches. The line has been drawn, and in L.A. the city's power brokers are no friends of Wall Street.

Maria Elena Durazo, federation leader:

We must continue to speak out, organize and work together in order to rebuild the middle class.

[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com]

Tags:

AFL-CIO, class warfare, Federation of Labor, Los Angeles, Occupy L.A., Occupy Wall Street

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What a valuable post.Thank you very much.

BitterEXdemocrat

EVIL unions MUST BE destroyed as anti American criminals that they are. EVIL UNIONS have RUINED our once great country. Know a UNION supporter? Spit in their face.

David_Barron

As I look at those 'Occupy' protesters throughout the country, I see the very 'anti-establishment' protesters of the 60's who are now corrupt bureaucrats destroying our America and our City of Los Angeles. However, I would suggest that the protesters, simply do their banking with another bank who doesn't charge $5 to use their ATM cards. And, suggest that protesters turn their 'anger' to LA City Hall who has contributed to our 'highest' unemployment in our City, because of the dismal policies and over-spending by our mayor and city council. Pay close attention to the city council's actions and see who they give our taxpayer dollars to. No wonder they have to keep raising our taxes and fees.Then, there's the two-faced 'antonio' handing out rain-pancho's to the protesters as a gesture of approval of their cause....only to turn and walk away, leaving them to soak in the rain while he heads out to join the very people these protesters hate; 'antonio's' capitalist, billionaire, 'establishment' friends.

David_Barron

The most effective way of protesting against Bank of America is to close your account and move elsewhere. That's 'freedom' in America....to choose whom you wish to do business with. Well, except for DWP. Villaraigosa would protest against you, if you threaten to go independently solar, and get off the DWP grid entirely. He wouldn't stand for that.....he wants your money, no matter how much you conserve. He could care less, if he's financially killing you. Remember, 'antonio' handed you a rain-pancho, to buy your vote, not a roll-back on your utility bill. That's when you know if he really is watching out for you. Just ask his past relationships.

Mike Jonesian

Okay, please excuse my inexperience on this financial matter, but aren't unions part of the problems in the first place due to the burdens placed by unionized retirees? Isn't that a type of Ponzi scheme as the current workers must shoulder the huge burden of paying way-too-inflated retiree pensions, thus borrowing from the future? Seems like unions are doing their share of messing up our economy.