Getting A Little Bloody For The Cause
Sometimes it’s necessary to get out on the streets and “get a little bloody”, those are the words State House News recently reported U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) used to fire up a group of union members in Boston.
“I’m proud to be here with people who understand that it’s more than just sending an email to get you going,” Capuano said. “Every once and awhile you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary.”
“This is going to be a struggle at least for the next two years. Let’s be serious about this. They’re not going to back down and we’re not going to back down. This is a struggle for the hearts and minds of America,” Capuano told union members.
The “struggle for hearts and minds” received additional help from the band Dropkick Murphys. It came in the form of a song, released on union websites including the Service Employees International Union’s (SEIU), that screams such phrases as “take the bastards down!” and “we got to smash them to the ground!” As part of the band’s efforts to support organized labor, they are working with SEIU and other unions and labor federations to have the song available to be played at rallies across the country,” a post on SEIU’s website says.
The words of the congressman and the lyrics below should be a clear warning of the lengths organizers are willing to go in their struggle to retain turf and capture new ground.
Here are some of the new song’s lyrics:
When the boss comes callin’ we gotta organize
When the boss comes calling
He’ll put us down
When the boss comes calling
You’ve gotta stand your ground
When the boss comes calling
Don’t believe their lies
When the boss comes calling
He’ll take his toll
When the boss comes calling
Don’t you sell your soul
When the boss comes calling
We Gotta Organize
Let them know
You gotta take the bastards down.
Our Spring Clinic in Tampa will be offering two sessions dealing with decisions coming from the National Labor Relations Board and activity that could effect your workplace. ◆
MARCH 09, 2011 – SHORTLINER NEWSLETTER
