Faith

Trumka Now Using Faith Groups to Organize ‘Progressive Activists’

AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka has announced that his union is starting a new campaign using “1,000 congregation-based unemployed worker support committees” to offer support to the unemployed and advocate for jobs.

“The campaign will help combat the severe unemployment crisis that is devastating so many working people and families and help rebuild the foundations of our nation’s economy,” Trumka announced in a statement.

“[F]aith groups, political leaders and progressive activists have come together in the Faith Advocates for Jobs Campaign, which was launched this week at a Capitol Hill meeting,” Trumka added. “The campaign will help combat the severe unemployment crisis that is devastating so many working people and families and help rebuild the foundations of our nation’s economy.”

The campaign’s mission statement, however, reads like a progressive jobs manifesto. “As people of faith, we call for an economy that provides a job for everyone who wants and needs one,” Trumka quotes it as saying. “We affirm that all jobs should be good jobs, paying living wages and benefits, allowing workers dignity and a voice at the workplace, ensuring workers’ health and safety, and guaranteeing their right to organize unions.”

The group Tumka says will oversee the initiative, Interfaith Worker Justice, also doesn’t shy away from progressive talk.

In a video posted on its website, the group decries “wage theft,” which it describes as workers being underpaid, not paid for overtime, or being misclassified:

The group’s website also details a Labor Day weekend campaign where it encouraged pastors and laypeople to invite labor leaders to speak at churches in honor of the holiday.

“Celebrate the sacred link between faith, work, and justice. Invite a union member or labor leader to be a guest speaker on Labor Day weekend, or focus your Labor Day weekend service on worker justice issues,” the group’s site encouraged.

In regards to Trumpka’s new campaign, the group calls unemployment “the most damaging social crisis of our lifetimes.”

“Our religious traditions teach us that work is a sacred act,” it says, “that when we labor we are ‘God’s hands’ on earth. Those who work and those who cannot work must be treated fairly.”

It then goes on to use the Bible (Jeremiah 22:13) to justify its stance: “Woe to him who builds his house on unrighteousness, and his upper room by injustice, who makes his neighbors work for nothing, and does not give them their wages.”

The group’s other work includes campaigns to unionize the TSA and Wal-Mart and to force the latter to raise wages.

Comments (122)

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  • nostromo
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 12:04pm

    So we see the synthesis of religion and socialism. The road to salvation, apparently, is not a paid for gift we can choose to accept or not as individuals, but rather a process of collective political works funded by organized theft.

    Report Post »  
  • Conservo-Atheist
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 12:02pm

    Its just the Left using another direction to use fear mongering to control the People… Prey on their fears so that they turn to the Unions and Government for protection!

    Report Post »  
  • JD Carp
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 12:01pm

    We are living Atlas Shrugged! That line is right out of the book!

    Report Post » JD Carp  
  • Bob Mariner
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:56am

    Before I retired I was an officer at the Local level and we worked for our members always enforcing the contract. Now the International level that was a whole other story, all they were interested in was getting money for their political agendas. Guess which International, (SEIU).

    Report Post »  
  • microace
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:55am

    Trumka has never opened a Bible, looks to me that the quote he uses is about slaves…who is making people work for no wage?

    Report Post »  
  • Slobaphobe
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:53am

    Teaching Democratic Citizenship to your kids:
    Kinds of Citizens
    Personally Responsible Citizen Participatory Citizen Justice-Oriented Citizen
    Found in lesson plans at http://www.generationOn.org

    Report Post »  
  • Mikail_Husayn
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:53am

    Jesus (peace be upon Him) never preached Capitalism.

    Report Post »  
    • getalong
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 1:14pm

      I respectfully beg to differ with you. Jesus loved rich people because the majority have worked hard for what they have. John 19;11 – 26 “But Master, they said, “that servant has enough already”. “Yes”, the King replied, “but to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away.” He chastised the man who did nothing with the money the King gave him. Jesus would never have liked the “social justice” concept. He would have thought it to be a very offensive and degrading way to treat people. More than anything else, Jesus wanted people to use their God-given qualities inherent in all of us to survive.

      Report Post »  
    • Mikail_Husayn
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 1:33pm

      It’s amusing, how you claim that Jesus supported Capitalism by using that verse. I doubt He was talking about capitalism. He also stated that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus FED the poor, and made himself poor WILLINGLY. He never used His position as Prophet of God to increase His lot.

      Report Post »  
    • getalong
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 2:08pm

      While I agree that Jesus was great defender of the poor – he also was a great defender of each person’s abilities. May I direct you to the story of the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesada?. When Jesus asked the man if he really wanted to be healed, Jesus was calling the guy out. I mean when you think about it, here is a man who has been waiting for 38 years to be first in the pool, and still had not figured out for himself how to do that, Surely in 38 years he could have found people who would help him get to the pool first, but instead he chose to do nothing. It does not say this, but most likely the man lived off of money people gave him because they felt sorry for him. I think one of the things that gets lost in the stories of Jesus is his great humor and intimate knowledge of man’s weaknesses. I believe that when Jesus changed the water into primo wine at the wedding, it was a practical joke meant to call attention to the phoniness of serving bad wine once people were drunk. Jesus wanted us to be authentic. His statement about it being harder for rich people to get into heaven than a camel going through the eye of a needle, I believe was meant to call attention to the fact that with wealth comes great responsiblity and temptation. The story that is told before this statement illustrates this, but the interesting statement made by Mark in telling this story is when he says that “Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him”. Have you ever thought that when Jesus talked about money, he meant richness in their faith in God? Maybe when he talked about the poor, maybe what he meant was people poor in faith. I believe that Jesus was God and also had the very best qualities of man which would include a great sense of humor. If Jesus loved the man in Mark 10 17-25, than why would he want this man to be homeless and poor and unable to take care of his family? It makes no sense. .

      Report Post »  
    • edfromtexas
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 3:04pm

      Jesus was for individual responsibility and he hated tyranny especially from the religious establishment!

      Report Post »  
    • Mikail_Husayn
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 7:55pm

      @getalong: The man was healed by the POWER and GRACE of God, through His Messenger Jesus (peace be upon Him).

      Report Post »  
    • getalong
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 8:33pm

      You are right. He was healed but that doesn’t take away from what Jesus was trying to say by asking him if he really wanted to be healed. Do you understand what I am saying. Jesus was all about hard work, innovation, personal freedom to make choices in your life that affect your social, financial, and spiritual status. If you think about the concept of social justice – it does not make any sense. You can’t give someone social status among their peers. Social status comes from good charactor and good charactor is developed by always trying to do the right thing. Anything worth having in this world requires, commitment, hard work, and sacrifice. At least this is what my Father taught me.

      Report Post »  
  • OneRepublic4us
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:52am

    Didn’t anyone catch that both places mentioned that this was a problem is San Fransisco and Chicago? These two places are probably the “models” by which they want the rest of the country to follow. I feel these “sanctuary” types of cities draw illegals to them to exploit them. Why isn’t this looked in to?

    Report Post » OneRepublic4us  
  • My Two Cents
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:51am

    Note To My Church: If you ask some parasitic union labor leader to appear as a guest speaker you should also ask him to replace my weekly tithe.

    Report Post »  
    • EP46
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 12:56pm

      Agree. Months ago Glenn had programs on Social Justice invading the churches. He had different ministers speaking about it. This is Social Justice being used as rercruitment within the churches for LABOR UNIONS. Each point made by Trumka is straight out of the socialists play book. Get the ‘down trodden’ and promise them everything. We were warned about this activity moving into the churches, so do what you can to protect your place of Worship. I remember Glenn saying…if your minister starts pushing Social Justice..find another church (paraphased). This is just another way for Union leaders to BLACKMAIL the government and gain more money in their coffers from workers.

      Report Post »  
  • Alvin691
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:50am

    The war is coming folks. At first I thought it was the battlefield of ideas as Geo Washington spoke of. It’s not. It’s going to be a class war, just like the communist revolution and the unions will be at the middle of it.

    Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 6:43pm

      What happened in all the socialist, communist countries did not happen overnight. Things were moved into position. When it all comes down, people will be scratching their heads asking how did we get here? From a country just a couple of decades ago we we’re proud to be Americans….where atleast we knew we were free.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:46am

    Trumka might become the next Jimmy Hoffa. we hope.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • TerribleTroy
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 3:40pm

      Trumka end up like Hoffa? I would not lose one bit of sleep if that were the case. I had dealings with Trumka and his merry band of Union Thugs in the very early 90′s during the Peabody strike. Do some research on Pittston Coal and Massey re: criminal charges filed, who was convicted, etc. etc. The West Virginia and southwest Va. coalfields were a war zone that the media refused to cover. I‘m talking IED’s, Snipers, Ambushes, the whole nine yards, and Trumpka was very much involved as officially acknowledged by Virginia Circuit Court Judge Donald McGlothlin Jr. who declared that “the evidence shows beyond any shadow of a doubt that violent activities are being organized, orchestrated and encouraged by the leadership of this union.

      But hey…he’s a good “Christian” right?

      Report Post »  
  • joseph Fawcett
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:40am

    with the creation of the one world goverment there will be a one world faith too. seems like it is all coming together as planned for the end times. wow!

    http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist

    Report Post » joseph Fawcett  
    • BurntHills
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:48am

      we had that same thought. one religion? soros as god? he said he is. and we must all worship obama until soros replaces him with the next vile POS to further the global domination?

      Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Right in Oregon
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:40am

    Too many Christians will see this as a good idea. We need to keep up the pressure on Unions and its demise.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

    Report Post »  
  • TEIN
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:39am

    Trumka quotes it as saying. “We affirm that all jobs should be good jobs, paying living wages and benefits, allowing workers dignity and a voice at the workplace, ensuring workers’ health and safety, and guaranteeing their right to organize unions.”
    Trumka just defined himself as a pimp.
    Hey Trumka, let me make my own living…your design is that I will be a slave to you my master and what ever corp. I work for.
    I want to work for myself not you.

    Report Post »  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:39am

    Normal liberal. Make God important when the use of God becomes a useful tool to them.

    Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
    • vennoye
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 10:09pm

      Have you ever noticed that Liberals, Progressives, Communists, Socialists or whatever they are calling themselves this week–inorder to sell their social justice have twisted scriptures, taken them out of context to present G-D in their own image, instead of them in his? Now the real question is–IF the Pastor and the members read and understood their Bibles, how do they fall for this perversion???

      Report Post » vennoye  
  • bookofwisdom
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:37am

    If they would not employ illegal aliens and people who come here and don’t speak or understand English how can you expect them to get a good paying job and not get taken for a ride. I know lots of waitresses and they make really good money, even the guy who mops the floors is paid more than minimum wage, but every one of them speaks, writes and understands English. God gave them a brain but some people don’t use it because if they speak up or complain everybody will know they are here illegally. May God Bless.

    Report Post » bookofwisdom  
  • Mikail_Husayn
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:36am

    “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the Poor; He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” – Jesus (peace be upon Him), reading out of the Book of Isaiah. Gospel of Luke, 4:18,19

    Report Post »  
  • lenavid
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:34am

    Wage theft? I thought that was when a union employee who’s a goldbrick got the same unmerited raise as the guy next to him that does all the work.

    Report Post » lenavid  
  • crossdraw
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:33am

    Unions/Communists, I seem to be having difficulty separating the two. When are we going to have had enough with “Union Bosses” and give them a new attitude? Their security force would be a problem. That’s because the size of your security force is in direct proportion to how big an ******* you are. I’m sure this guy needs a small army. Trumpka my ass.

    Report Post »  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:31am

    Getting rid of the UNIONS would go a long way to help the unemployment crisis. In fact getting rid of the UNIONS would go a long way to getting rid of a lot of corruption.

    Report Post »  
    • J.C. McGlynn
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:46am

      HD. You and Lenavid got the right idea. I went fairshare in my union to get a better medical plan and paid extra for it. In return, I got to follow union rules, the contract, and was not allowed to vote in union representative elections. Then when I needed help they told me “GO TO HELL.” Many times when I worked third shift I was the only one working; all the others were sleeping. Now, Trumka wants to play the part of GOD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?

      Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
    • M31Sailor
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 2:04pm

      JC what is fairshare??

      Report Post » M31Sailor  
    • J.C. McGlynn
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 6:05pm

      To M31 Sailor – You pay most of the monthly union dues, like $22.00 out of $25.00.

      Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
  • Race
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:31am

    The Commies are out in the open, why does no one care?

    Report Post » Race  
  • john seven eighteen
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:21am

    Bullpoop!! How about eradicating your stupid unions and letting people EARN their jobs like the rest of the country. The demand for those jobs would give you the best possible employees who actually want to work for a living instead of having their jobs dictated to them, and paying insipid fees for the pleasure.. Ridiculous!!

    Report Post » john seven eighteen  
  • powhatan
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:20am

    right out of the playbook….We are doomed by God with these people ringing the bells..

    Report Post » powhatan  
    • what4
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 5:44pm

      Are they building a Stadium anywhere?? say around the 15 yard line will do!

      Report Post »  
  • wodiej
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:18am

    Giving someone a job without making them earn it gives you a crappy employee.

    Report Post »  
  • LadyLiberty
    Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:18am

    So now they believe in God? Oh wait sorry.. no, just in recruiting at churches to complete the circle of hypocrisy.

    Report Post » LadyLiberty  
    • Bad Thunder
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:22am

      ah…. the prey should pray….. I get it

      Report Post »  
    • getalong
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 11:59am

      I just read an example of this in the Mpls Star/Tribune Monday, Dec. 6th) section: ” twin cities + region”, titled “Faithful tell Dayton: Erase Gaps. The gathering was put together by ISAIAH a twin cities religious coalition. Interesting article to read because it gives you the spin these progressives are using in the churches. ISAIAH organized and held meetings at homes attended by an estimated 4,000 people. ISAIAH states that it is especially concerned about the economy and education and “racial disparities in both areas. Bottom up – top down as Van Jones puts it.

      Report Post »  
    • wildjoker5
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 12:05pm

      “The campaign will help combat the severe unemployment crisis that is devastating so many working people and families and help rebuild the foundations of our nation’s economy.”

      I don’t see how the “unemployment crisis” hurts the work families? They working families, HAVE JOBS.

      Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 12:11pm

      Nothing new here….reference what the Nazis did in Germany regarding the churces. I wonder if there’s a special place in Hell for those that promote evil using the Lords house? Beware Progressives…. being hypocritical to your God seems a highly dangerous thing to do.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 12:14pm

      This is another of the Progressives having infiltrated some churches and made radicals of them under the guise of religion. They can twist and manipulate events and ideals to suit their own purposes, the old adage is ‘tell a lie loud enough, long enough, and people will begin to believe it to be fact.’

      This is part of their efforts to make religion become part of the State, and to be used by the State for the control of the people.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Resolved
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 1:54pm

      Aren’t these the same people crying out for churches to lose their tax exempt status for even mentioning tea parties, conservatives, or any words beginning with R?

      Report Post » Resolved  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 4:19pm

      To help with the unemployment problem, why not get rid of the unions and their overpaid leaders. Maybe without clowns like this guy employers would be eager to hire, knowing strong arming thugs like him wouldn’t be around.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • Max jones
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 5:01pm

      It is my personal view that collective bargaining has done more damage to the economy of this country than any other factor. it has made our products too expensive to export, It has “dumbed down” the workforce. It has entrenched Greed as the platform from which we deal with the world. Union workers produce less per dollar than their “right to work” counterparts, and, being tenured, it is hard to impossible to replace them, with more dedicated and productive employees.
      Any church that takes trumpka up on his offer should be investigated and penalized. I won’t be shy about ratting them off…even if I have to call the IRS ibapwj;lngkn c/v Sorry, I gagged on that one!

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 6, 2010 at 6:37pm

      I know! Umm aren’t they so nice since Obama came to DC.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
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