And folks wonder why Unions get such a bad rap

[sirs]

Man Fired for Wearing Bush Sweatshirt at Obama Rally

October 22, 2010
 
(USC) -- Don't try wearing a Bush hat or sweatshirt at an Obama rally.

Duane Hammond says it's what got him fired.  Hammond is a union stagehand who was part of the crew that built the platform for the Obama event on campus.

He came to work early this morning wearing clothing that says "George H. W. Bush".   Hammond's son is in the Navy, currently serving on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. George H. W. Bush.

Hammond says he was not trying to make a political statement.  He says he got the sweatshirt and hat during a visit to the aircraft carrier on Family Day.  The back of his sweatshirt has a large drawing of the ship.

He says he wore it to show how proud he is of his son.

That didn't go over well with his union supervisor.  Hammond says he was told to take off the sweatshirt, or he would have to go home.

He refused.  They told him he was fired from the job.

Move over Juan Williams
---------------------------------------------------------------

Now, remind why private employers can get in so much trouble if they dare tell someone that they can't wear various pierced appendages or certain political and/or provocative attire while working, because it "abridges their 1st amendment rights".  ACLU-like trouble to boot, but this guy gets fired for wearing a shirt that's not even related to the prior administration, just simply proud of his son??

[Plane]

As Commander in Cheif President Obama has the right to inspect the USS Bush and the USS Reagan too.

If I were him I would it would be funny to have papers with the headline "Obama boards Bush" or if he is SCUBA qualified he could go for " Obama inspects George Bush's bottom".

[sirs]

I think you mean, Chub in Chief         

[Kramer]

As Commander in Cheif President Obama has the right to inspect the USS Bush and the USS Reagan too.

If I were him I would it would be funny to have papers with the headline "Obama boards Bush" or if he is SCUBA qualified he could go for " Obama inspects George Bush's bottom".

I can pretty much bet ya that there will never be a ship named the USS Barack Hussein Obama.

[Plane]

As Commander in Cheif President Obama has the right to inspect the USS Bush and the USS Reagan too.

If I were him I would it would be funny to have papers with the headline "Obama boards Bush" or if he is SCUBA qualified he could go for " Obama inspects George Bush's bottom".

I can pretty much bet ya that there will never be a ship named the USS Barack Hussein Obama.

Why not?

There is a USS James Earl Carter.

[Kramer]

As Commander in Cheif President Obama has the right to inspect the USS Bush and the USS Reagan too.

If I were him I would it would be funny to have papers with the headline "Obama boards Bush" or if he is SCUBA qualified he could go for " Obama inspects George Bush's bottom".

I can pretty much bet ya that there will never be a ship named the USS Barack Hussein Obama.

Why not?

There is a USS James Earl Carter.

Yeah and the sailors serving aboard hold their breath. Plus Jimmy was in the Navy too.

[BT]

James Wright, a business representative from IATSE Local 33, says the union is still investigating what happened.

"If he was sent home because of the sweatshirt, he will be paid for the day," he said.

***UPDATE:   Duane Hammond says union officials called him this afternoon to apologize for the incident.  He say they are "bending over backwards" to make it up to him.

Move over Juan Williams or not

[sirs]

Ahhh, the outrage at the hypocritical firing was too great for even the union to bare?  Wow, I'm impressed

[BT]

Ahhh, the outrage at the hypocritical firing was too great for even the union to bare?  Wow, I'm impressed

Don't know why you think it is a hypocritical firing. Wrongful perhaps, but hypocritical?

What do you know of the union supervisor on the job that would make this action hypocritical?

[sirs]

Hypocritical in that many who support unions are also the ones who would be supporting those ACLU-like defense of anyone wearing anythng to work, based on some 1st amendment ground

[BT]

Hypocritical in that many who support unions are also the ones who would be supporting those ACLU-like defense of anyone wearing anythng to work, based on some 1st amendment ground

Judging by the scant information provided by the article, seems the controversy is based upon the actions of one individual, that of the job supervisor, who took exception to the sweatshirt wearers refusal to comply with the demand to dress more "appropriately". Whether the request was prompted by those who contracted the stage crew (the Obama advance team) is unknown. In either case, i don't see how supporters of unions or the union itself should be held accountable for the actions of this supervisor, especially in light of the fact that the union local itself was quick not only to pay the employee the full days wages, but also to investigate and hopefully better train supervisory staff.

My guess is that future stage crews like this will be staffed by uniformed employees so that dress codes are clearly defined.

Dress codes are not a first amendment issue. Especially if the contractor is not a government entity, and in this case it wasn't.

This controversy is much ado about nothing. 

[sirs]

Hypocritical in that many who support unions are also the ones who would be supporting those ACLU-like defense of anyone wearing anything to work, based on some 1st amendment ground

Judging by the scant information provided by the article, seems the controversy is based upon the actions of one individual, that of the job supervisor, who took exception to the sweatshirt wearers refusal to comply with the demand to dress more "appropriately".

Precisely....in other words a Union leader.  Contrary to popular opinion, those that rail against unions, are almost universally railing against union leadership. 

[BT]

Precisely....in other words a Union leader

I fail to see how you can define a job supervisor as a union leader. Union leaders in my mind would be the Local's president or executive staff.

Then again i have never belonged to a union, so i'm not sure what the chain of command is. Perhaps Plane can enlighten us.

Contrary to popular opinion, those that rail against unions, are almost universally railing against union leadership. 

Guess that makes me different.

I just don't see the need for unions. And i certainly don't like the idea of being forced to join one.
Which is not the same as being against the union leadership or for that matter the rank and file that join unions. I'm sure they are fine fellows. Plane seems nice enough. I know a shop steward at the post office and he's a good guy too.

[BT]

And as a side note, I'm sure the whole brouhaha was more about location than any freedom of expression issue.

[sirs]

Precisely....in other words a Union leader

I fail to see how you can define a job supervisor as a union leader. Union leaders in my mind would be the Local's president or executive staff.

Or someone put in charge by Union leadership