Union boycott threats: see how ridiculous you sound?

by TrogloPundit | April 3, 2011 6:00 pm

If you’re not with us, you’re against us! That’s the “new tone” coming from union leaders in Wisconsin.

In case you missed it, AFSCME has taken to sending letters to local businesses, containing a thinly veiled threat of boycott if those businesses don’t place a pro-union sign in their windows.

Mister Pterodactyl linked the story last week[1]. Here’s the most juicy parts of the letter:

It is unfortunate that you have chosen “not” to support public workers rights in Wisconsin. In recent past weeks you have been offered a sign(s) by a public employee(s) who works in one of the state facilities in the Union Grove area. These signs simply said “This Business Supports Workers Rights”, a simple, subtle and we feel non-controversial statement given the facts at this time.

…With that we’d ask that you reconsider taking a sign and stance to support public employees in this community. Failure to do so will leave us no choice but to do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means “no” to those who work for the largest employer in the area and are union members.

The good news is, the letter appears to be backfiring. Instead of cowed and frightened, business owners are either angry or – even better – laughing at the whole thing.

And indeed, the whole thing is laughable. Let’s imagine how it might look if other groups tried doing the same thing. For example:

It is unfortunate that you have chosen “not” to support your local church community. In recent past weeks you have been offered a sign(s) by a local Christian(s) who attends one of the churches in the Union Grove area. These signs simply said “This Business Supports Christians’ Rights”, a simple, subtle and we feel non-controversial statement given the facts at this time.

With that we’d ask that you reconsider taking a sign and stance to support Christians in this community. Failure to do so will leave us no choice but to do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means “no” to those who follow Jesus in the area.

Or:

• It is unfortunate that you have chosen “not” to support the most influential political organization in this area. In recent past weeks you have been offered a sign(s) by a local Republican.

• These signs simply said “This Business Supports the Wisconsin Badgers”, a simple, subtle and we feel non-controversial statement given the facts at this time.

• With that we’d ask that you reconsider taking a sign and stance to support the local art community. Failure to do so will leave us no choice but to do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means “no” to those who work in the arts and those who enjoy the arts.

Or how about:

It is unfortunate that you have chosen “not” to support your friendly neighborhood blogger. In recent past weeks you have been offered a sign(s) by a local blogger(s) who spends countless hours typing away in a Union Grove area basement. These signs simply said “This Business Supports Local Bloggers”, a simple, subtle and we feel non-controversial statement given the facts at this time.

With that we’d ask that you reconsider taking a sign and stance to support blogging in this community. Failure to do so will leave us no choice but to do a public boycott of your business. And sorry, neutral means “no” to those who blog in the area.

Well, okay, that last one sounds serious.

(Posted by The TrogloPundit[2])