It appears that the Left hand doesn’t know what the other Left hand is doing…
A couple of weeks ago, it was noted that despite Media Matters’ public support for “card check,” MMA CEO David Brock hypocritically refused to grant card check to the SEIU as it attempts to unionize MMA employees.
In fact, Brock had gone out and hired a high-profile management-side labor law firm for the union’s campaign at the liberal icon.
Despite a request to withdraw its petition with the National Labor Relations Board (as sometimes happens) last week and the case now being officially “closed” according to the NLRB’s website, on Monday, the SEIU fired a shot across MMA’s bow by releasing a statement, blasting the blatant hypocrisy of Brock & Co:
Media Matters employees often write in defense of organized labor, and our work has demonstrated the virtues of organizing through card-check and the perils of being forced through a protracted NLRB election process. It is fitting, then, that we’ve chosen to unionize and attempt to lead our own lives by the principles we regularly advocate for in our work.
The actions of Media Matters executives have placed employees in the impossible position of continuing to produce content espousing pro-labor values for an employer who is challenging our right to unionize. Not only is management subjecting Media Matters employees to arduous NLRB procedures, the actions of their attorneys indicate Media Matters executives object so tenaciously to our union that they appear willing to prevent employees from ever having the opportunity to vote on the matter.
Many Media Matters employees feel betrayed by the unexpected and unexplained path our leadership has taken in response to our efforts to unionize. Our desire to organize should be not a controversial or surprising turn of events at a progressive organization like Media Matters for America. We continue to hold out hope that our executives will change course in favor of the path the organization has long advocated.
-Media Matters Organizing Committee
It appears that Brock may be “working out a deal” with the SEIU for recognizing the union.
However, the timing of the SEIU’s statement is curious.
Whatever the case, it appears we’ll just have to wait and see.
At this point, however, all we can say is: Would you like some butter on your popcorn?
