Extremist Media Steps Up Attacks on Workers, Unions
Tula Connell 
Aug 11, 2010
http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/08/11/extremist-media-steps-up-attacks-on-workers-unions/

In their attack on the union movement, extremist
reactionary media outlets increasingly are depicting
unions and workers as thugs, Communists and destroyers
of free enterprise. Media Matters has compiled these
recent attacks and we're cross-posting some of  the
watchdog group's findings here. We urge all unionists to
take a minute from pinko thuggery to check it out.

The Blame Game: Conservative Media Try to Pin Problems
on Unions
Beck says unions have "raped" police and firefighters.
On the August 4 edition of his radio program, Glenn Beck
said of unions: "Look what they've done to the police
and firemen. They've raped these guys. Along with
politicians. Along with politicians--raped them. The
bravest among us." Beck went on to ask, "What, do you
think the politicians are not in bed with the unions?"

Beck blames unions for woes of local governments and
industries. On the February 25 edition of "The Glenn
Beck Program," Beck blamed unions for the financial woes
of local governments, the auto industry, airlines,
schools, the steel industry, and the textile industry.
He continued: "Mr. President, until you get the unions
out of this business, I don't think we have anything to
talk about."

 Carlson blames cost of living in NYC on "union
pensions" and "raising taxes" for "schools." On the
August 5 edition of Fox News' "Fox & Friends," co-host
Gretchen Carlson asserted that the cost of living in New
York City, California, and Honolulu is "so expensive"
"because of union pensions; because of raising costs for
other things; for raising taxes along the way for
schools." Carlson concluded: "If you go back in history
and look at who incorporated a lot of that, maybe the
blame comes right back to the same party. Or maybe it
doesn't."

Root: "Unions destroy capitalism and free enterprise."
On the May 27, 2009, edition of Fox News' "Glenn Beck,"
guest Wayne Allyn Root stated that a "point we all agree
on" is that "unions destroy capitalism and free
enterprise." As examples, Root cited the public school
system, the auto industry, and the steel industry. Beck
pushed back slightly, stating that he's "against unions,
but not all unions" and explaining that "the way to
success is to be a decent person, treat other people
with dignity, give them a good fair living wage because
if you're good to your people they're going to make a
better product, everybody wins."

Bernard: "[A] lot of labor unions are what holds America
back and keeps us from being as good as we can be." On
the August 19, 2009, edition of MSNBC's "Morning
Meeting," Independent Women's Forum CEO Michelle Bernard
stated:
 The labor unions right now simply exist for one reason:
To self-perpetuate, receiving union dues, and having
political influence. I think it's absolutely amazing to
watch that clip from "The Rachel Maddow Show" last night
where this guy is, he's saying to President Obama, "I'm
strong arming you, buddy."

And my answer to this would be they are showing
themselves to be as ridiculous as many members of the
American public think they are. What happened to
pragmatism, what happened to competition, and what
actually happened to winning? Maybe it would be great
for the Democratic Party to lose the support of labor
unions because quite honestly, a lot of labor unions are
what holds America back and keeps us from being as good
as we can be.

Conservatives Smear Unions as Violent 'Thugs'
Limbaugh accuses unions of resorting to violence. On the
May 18, 2009, broadcast of his radio show, Rush Limbaugh
attempted to smear unions as violent, declaring that the
Employee Free Choice Act should be titled "The Union
Brass Knuckles Busting On Your Knees Act."

Beck warns of "possible super-union" of "out-and-out
thugs" that will have "extraordinary power." On the
April 14 edition of his radio show, Beck warned
listeners of "a possible super-union coming" with
"extraordinary power." He added: "And they're thugs.
Out-and-out thugs. Not the members, the unions." 

Beck says violence is a "self-fulfilling prophecy" of
labor unions. During the May 3 edition of his Fox News
show, Beck said, "The unions are in bed with Washington
and special interests and they are not in your or this
nation's best interest anymore. They are following the
playbooks from Europe." Beck went on to spell out the
"playbooks from Europe," concluding that the process
ends with "violence. ... This is a self-fulfilling
prophecy."

Beck suggests unions are prone to violence. On the
April 12 broadcast of his radio show, suggesting that
unions are prone to violence, Beck asked of New Jersey
Governor Chris Christie: "How long does that guy live?
Seriously, how long does that guy survive? He's in New
Jersey. He's got to break up the union pensions." Beck
further said, "If I do my job and I don't get paid, I'm
angry too."

Trace Gallagher: "With the 1930s came ... the labor
movement -- organization by way of strikes, votes,
violence." During the January 15, 2008, edition of "The
Fox Report with Shepard Smith," in a segment discussing
Michigan history and the issues pertinent to voters
there, chief correspondent Trace Gallagher asserted:
"With the 1930s came men like Jimmy Hoffa and the labor
movement--organization by way of strikes, votes,
violence." However, Gallagher did not mention the
positive effects of the 1930s labor movement for workers
in Michigan, which included banning "oppressive child
labor" and federal laws "which strengthened unions'
rights to organize and negotiate with employers."
Beck pushes Obama "civilian army" conspiracy theory:
"The unions are his enforcers." On the April 12 edition
of "The Glenn Beck Program," Beck told listeners,
"People say, 'Oh, Barack Obama's building a civilian
defense force--a civilian army.' He has one. It's called
the unions. The unions are his enforcers."

Cavuto tells union spokesman: "You politely do your Tony
Soprano thing, albeit in your little sweater vest
there." During the January 11 edition of Fox News' "Your
World with Neil Cavuto," Stewart Acuff of the Utility
Workers Union of America appeared to discuss union
opposition to a tax on health care plans backed by
President Obama. Cavuto told Acuff: "You politely do
your Tony Soprano thing, albeit in your little sweater
vest there, 'cause you're such a decent guy, but you're
saying 'Mr. President, may I remind you that you are
sitting in this room because of us.' Which is a very
nice way of saying, 'Tread slowly, big guy.' "

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