Post by Cody Shea on Dec 31, 2005 12:28:49 GMT -5
NEW YORK CITY, NY – Minority Leader Cody Shea (D-NC) was on hand to deliver another one of his memorable appearances at a major fundraiser held by the Teamsters Union in NYC. The senator took the stage to uproarious applause and spoke at length about his recent efforts in the Senate to protect worker’s pensions.
"There can be no greater crime than for an employer to deny a worker his retirement," Shea said, "After a lifetime of hard labor, it is nothing short of inhuman to leave them without a pension to support them in their twilight years."
"With the Secure Retirement Act, I have single-handedly struck a blow to corporations who would attempt to steal, defraud, or deny workers’ their pensions. And, rest assured my union brothers, I am FAR from finished. I will not rest until this government reforms the corrupt practices of American industries. We shall no longer allow the anarchy of the free market to condemn the lives of working class Americans."
Later, Senator Shea spoke on his and Rep. Dennis Retton’s (D-WV) efforts to keep unions from being left out of the General Electric deal in Chicago.
"The idea that unionization hurts industry rather than enhances it is fraudulent. A union worker is a better worker, he is aware of his rights and of the expectations put upon him by his fellow union members and by the industry that employs them. That is why I made it clear to G.E. that by trying to keep the unions out they were making a tragic mistake. I did, and so did my dear friend and ally Rep. Retton."
"Let it always be said that the Democratic Party is a lifelong friend of organized labor, and that together we will reshape America to benefit its citizens and workers, rather than just the wealthiest 10% at the top."
Another hot topic at the fundraiser illegal immigration and outsourcing, both of which Senator Shea discussed.
"I applaud some efforts made by President Warder, namely putting greater accountability at the border, but I don’t feel enough is done to prosecute businesses who employ migrant labor so they can pay them sub-minimum wage and offer them no benefits whatsoever. An organized workforce would never allow such a crime to occur, so instead corporations prey on the unfortunate outside our great nation to increase their bottom line."
"The President also still has my support with numerous items in his budget proposal, namely ending the shame that is corporate welfare, and of course the increase in Labor spending that I called for and it still stands. If I had not been there, that money would have been wasted on another fat defense contract to be squandered by Lockheed-Martin or Halliburton."
Shea concluded his remarks with a promise to those attending.
"My friends, by supporting the Democratic Party you are making an investment in the future of America. An investment that I promise you will pay off and quickly. I and my fellow Democrats will continue to work to bringing justice to the American worker and bringing a better standard of living to all Americans."
"There can be no greater crime than for an employer to deny a worker his retirement," Shea said, "After a lifetime of hard labor, it is nothing short of inhuman to leave them without a pension to support them in their twilight years."
"With the Secure Retirement Act, I have single-handedly struck a blow to corporations who would attempt to steal, defraud, or deny workers’ their pensions. And, rest assured my union brothers, I am FAR from finished. I will not rest until this government reforms the corrupt practices of American industries. We shall no longer allow the anarchy of the free market to condemn the lives of working class Americans."
Later, Senator Shea spoke on his and Rep. Dennis Retton’s (D-WV) efforts to keep unions from being left out of the General Electric deal in Chicago.
"The idea that unionization hurts industry rather than enhances it is fraudulent. A union worker is a better worker, he is aware of his rights and of the expectations put upon him by his fellow union members and by the industry that employs them. That is why I made it clear to G.E. that by trying to keep the unions out they were making a tragic mistake. I did, and so did my dear friend and ally Rep. Retton."
"Let it always be said that the Democratic Party is a lifelong friend of organized labor, and that together we will reshape America to benefit its citizens and workers, rather than just the wealthiest 10% at the top."
Another hot topic at the fundraiser illegal immigration and outsourcing, both of which Senator Shea discussed.
"I applaud some efforts made by President Warder, namely putting greater accountability at the border, but I don’t feel enough is done to prosecute businesses who employ migrant labor so they can pay them sub-minimum wage and offer them no benefits whatsoever. An organized workforce would never allow such a crime to occur, so instead corporations prey on the unfortunate outside our great nation to increase their bottom line."
"The President also still has my support with numerous items in his budget proposal, namely ending the shame that is corporate welfare, and of course the increase in Labor spending that I called for and it still stands. If I had not been there, that money would have been wasted on another fat defense contract to be squandered by Lockheed-Martin or Halliburton."
Shea concluded his remarks with a promise to those attending.
"My friends, by supporting the Democratic Party you are making an investment in the future of America. An investment that I promise you will pay off and quickly. I and my fellow Democrats will continue to work to bringing justice to the American worker and bringing a better standard of living to all Americans."