Texas Longhorns with newborn calf in Bluebonnets

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512-517-2708

Alan Maki

Alan Maki
Doing research at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

A program for real change...

http://peaceandsocialjustice.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-progressive-program-for-real-change.html


What we need is a "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity" which would make it a mandatory requirement that the president and Congress attain and maintain full employment.


"Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens"

- Ben Franklin

Let's talk...

Let's talk...

Friday, January 9, 2009

Why hasn't the AFL-CIO opposed the Israeli carnage of Palestinian people in Gaza?

-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]

Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 3:29 PM

To: 'jscannel@aflcio.org'

Cc: 'dom@milwaukeelabor.org'; 'mnaflcio@mnaflcio.org'; 'Michael Eisenscher'; 'debssoc@sbcglobal.net'; 'WCS-A@yahoogroups.com'; 'teresa_detrempe@klobuchar.senate.gov'; 'amy_berglund@levin.senate.gov'; 'elizabeth_reed@levin.senate.gov'; 'eliot.seide@afscmemn.org'; 'DLONG@uaw.net'; 'rgettel@uaw.net'; 'Joshua Frank'; 'carld717@aol.com'; 'Peter Rachleff'; 'mzweig@notes.cc.sunysb.edu'

Subject: Re: Our phone conversation regarding the situation in Gaza

Josh Scannell, Media Relations, AFL-CIO,

This is to confirm our phone conversation at about 3 p.m.Central Time on January 9, 2009 concerning Gaza.

I called the main National AFL-CIO phone number (202-637-500) asking to find out if the AFL-CIO has taken a position on the Israeli carnage of Palestinians in Gaza.

I was transferred to you.

You told me that if the AFL-CIO had taken a position you would have been informed; since you were not informed you concluded, therefore, the AFL-CIO has taken no position regarding the situation in Gaza.

You further said that this situation in Gaza was not something the AFL-CIO would take a position on usually because what is happening does not affect members of the AFL-CIO… please correct me if I am misstating what you told me.

I called to your attention that unions all over the world are taking a position on this issue; including the Canadian Labour Congress and the International Trade Union Confederation.

At present I am not a member of any union affiliated with the AFL-CIO but I have been in the past.

As I explained to you, it is mainly working people and their children and families suffering and dying in Gaza at the hands of these Israeli butchers.

As I pointed out to you, it becomes very hard to convince those who are not members of the AFL-CIO to support initiatives of the AFL-CIO when the AFL-CIO shows no concern or consideration for others in such matters.

Further, members of the AFL-CIO have a direct concern in this issue as their tax-dollars, too, are being used to fund this Israeli carnage of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Also, you must be aware that many members of AFL-CIO affiliated unions have family, relatives and friends living in Gaza and areas of Israel affected by this violence.

I do find it appalling that the AFL-CIO has delayed so long in considering this issue… certainly I am not the first person to make such an inquiry.

You said that you would pass my concerns along to the appropriate person/s and someone would contact me.

Please feel free to check out my blog on this issue:

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/canadian-labour-congress-calls-for-end.html

Thank you.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/


Cc: Maggie Bird, President, Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council