True North

After seeing the YouTube video that Michael posted</a>, I'm wondering whose side El Tinklenberg is on, the unions' side or the employees' side.

As you heard, Tinklenberg's response to the questioner was that "the threats were from the employer side."

Here's the transcript of the video:

Questioner: I just wanted to know where you stood on the card check issue.

Tinklenberg: I support it.

Questioner: Are you concerned at all...there's been some rumors about people who have opposed the card check have been intimidated by the union to enforce this limit on the cards. What do you think should be done about that?

Tinklenberg: As I said before, i support it.

Questioner: Even though there's intimidation, Sir?

Tinklenberg: The intimidation has been on the employers' side.

What proof does Mr. Tinklenberg have that the "intimidation has been on the employers' side"? That's a pretty serious accusation to make. Based on his rush to redeploy away from this questioner, I'm betting that he doens't have proof that the "intimidation has been on the employers' side." I'm betting that it was just a cheapshot at business owners in an attempt to pander to union votes.

Frankly, that's a foolish side to be on. I can't imagine employees like the thought of threats and intimidations forcing them to make workplace decisions like that in public. In fact, I'd bet that the thought of threats from union leaders is extremely unappealing to those employees.

Comments welcome at LFR.