AFL-CIO Boss Discusses #OccupyWallSt, Alleged Communist Ties, Obama & Jobs

The following video is from C-Span and was taped on October 18th.

During the 45-minute show, Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO, discusses a myriad of topics and answers questions from callers. [See below for approximate timeline.]

Program Start: OccupyWallStreet movement & unions’ role
1:40 – Trumka on #OWS: “We thought they’d try to marginalize us.”
2:15 – “I applaud them, we support them….A shining example of what democracy is all about.”

2:30 – Trumka responds to question as to whether AFL-CIO would sever ties if #OccupWallSt were to have violence.
3:00 – Any future potential #OccupyWallSt violence could be ‘people sent in to foment’ violence
3:10 – “This is a movement that speaks for millions of people…”
3:35 – On the AFL-CIO’s involvement with #OccupyWallSt
3:55 – Discusses messages “heard” from #OccupyWallSt protesters
4:40 – Claims so-called Robin Hood Tax is #OccupyWallSt idea [which is false]
5:30 – Blames GOP for not passing Obama’s jobs plan
6:50 – “…they opposed it because he proposed it…”
8:00 – First Caller: Addresses comment on union corruption, forced dues… [Note: The second caller called to reccomend that C-Span have an author on a later show.]
9:30 – “We [union offcials] are more regulated than any group out there…”
11:25 – Third Caller: Trumka explains unions’ political program
12:20 – Unions will be talking to all workers, not just their members
13:15 – On whether AFL-CIO will support Barack Obama’s re-election
14:00 – Explaining union expenditures on politics: Unions spend very little on candidates, most spent on educating members
14:30 – Discusses AFL-CIO SuperPac
15:45 – Fourth Caller: Trumka defends against Communists at 2010 One Nation rally
17:35 – Fifth Caller More discussion about Communist Party
18:15 – Sixth Caller Discusses bailing out Main Street
20:25 – Discussion on free trade agreements
22:50 – Discussion on supporting Obama even though AFL-CIO pledged to work against any politician back free trade agreements
23:50 – Seventh Caller: Addresses caller question on Obama record on jobs, blames Senate GOP for filibusters
30:20 – Eighth Caller: Pro-union caller discusses ending war
31:45 – Follow on to caller, uses marriage analogy between husband and wife to describe role of unions
32:50 – “Without a union, you’re like a child. You have no recourse or no power to be able to move the employers…”
33:00 – Responds to a Twitter question about secret ballots and the union desire to enact card check
34:50 – Ninth Caller: Addresses caller question about why companies leaving U.S., using data only since 2000
38:50 – Explains where the term “red neck” comes from

40:50 – Tenth Caller: Addresses question on “closed shop,” derides Right-to-Work laws [Note: The caller worked in the railroad industry, in which Right-to-Work laws do not apply.]

42:05 – Eleventh Caller: Retired UAW member differentiates dues dollars going to candidates versus member education on political action or legislative action

In listening to Trumka speak, it cannot be ignored that while much of what he spoke about was based on his perspective as the president of the AFL-CIO, there were several times where he was either dodging the question (regarding the Communist ties to One Nation), misleading (such as his explanation of card check), or not giving full and complete answers (on why union officials [and labor relations] have been regulated since 1959).

In addition, to those unfamiliar with the difference between union expeditures on specific candidates versus union political expenditures, his comments were almost entirely misleading.

Via Open Secrets: