The workers called their congressman, Barney Frank ( D-MA), State legislators, and city council and asked them to convince the corporation to halt the auction until February, 15th. The workers also contacted other folks in unions across New England to fight with them. Facing both the pressure from the elected officials and the prospect of a large rally of working class men and women who are furious about more jobs going off to Mexico, the company announced a delay in the auction until January 19.
The city of Taunton is moving ahead-with unanimous support from the City Council and mayor-to pursue the use of “eminent domain” to seize the machinery of Esterline Technologies’ local plant if necessary. The city will also need the support of the Massachusetts Legislature, which reconvenes in January.
“Eminent domain” is a doctrine under which private property may be taken, with compensation, by governmental units for a compelling public purpose. While often used by huge corporations to raze neighborhoods for new factories or strip malls that could be located elsewhere, this time the workers and the Taunton City Council are preparing to use eminent domain against Esterline.
In a time where millions of jobs have been lost, due to “free trade” and a recession that has left tens of millions looking for work, this fight is small. This fight also could be game-changing in an era where more people are becoming aware the “free trade” isn’t free, it comes at a cost. The cost, is increased profits for owners and shareholders, but destroyed towns and cities and crushed middle class families.
http://raymedeiros2010.blogspo…
If more cities and towns follow Taunton and the workers’ lead, the people of this Great Country could fight back against the power hungry, profiteering corporations. They have no morals,no heart and no feelings. Their goal is to increase profits no matter the cost to the society. Let’s hope Taunton and the workers succeed, because this could be used as a model across the Country to defend our economy, our middle class and America’s Promise.
I know SCOTUS said a while back in effect that eminent domain could be used for just about anything, but I’d still prefer there be a specific publicly benefitial plan in mind, such as land for a public works project or school, or that the machines need to be used for wartime production. To seize property just because we don’t like what a company is doing sounds like a throwback to the feudal system whereby a lord seized a vassal’s property because he was in a bad mood that day.
<
p>Also, I’m not convinced that free trade per se is a job killer. After all free-trader Clinton left us with 22 million new jobs at the end of his tenure.
From Wikipedia
<
p>
Was that CT where neighborhoods were seized to make room for a strip mall?
Its easy to argue that if individual property is seized and given to corporations is legal if the community will receive and economic benefit, then likewise is also fair. Somehow uncomfortable with eminent domain for economic purposes, but not totally opposed. The railroads were mainly economics.
It is possible to make a case that the well being of the economy as a whole is dependent on ending the flow of jobs overseas.
<
p>Michael Moore’s first film, “Roger and Me” documented GM moving its plant in Flint Michigan to Mexico. It was impossible for Michael Moore to forsee that the long term effect was not only the collapse of Flint, but also GM itself.
At the time of the plant closings, GM was one of the wealthiest corporations in the world. By laying off large numbers of their consumers helped bring them to the edge of bankruptcy last year.
<
p>The fate that befell Flint spread throughout Michigan and then the rest of the rust belt. Certainly stronger action is required to stop and reverse the spread. Eminent domain?
for strip malls and parking lots to benefit corporation. It took people’s homes bulldozed them and made asphalt jungles.
<
p>This would be using the same measure except that the union isn’t taking somebody’s home.
<
p>They are taking the factory they worked in for 30 years and running it as a worker owned coopertaive, which has been successful in other communities
The moment I realized Kelo was a terrible decision and fair trade wouldn’t work was the moment my nice little Peoples Republik of Cambridge bubble burst and a whole new world of ideas was exposed to me, many of which I still find disagreeable, but boy did that mind open up.
Ray
<
p>Interesting application of eminent domain, but I am not sure that I like this use any better than any other uses and it starts us all down a very slippery slope.
<
p>However, I did read your blog posting, but could not find anything on the following questions:
<
p>1) How much is the union going to pay for the equipment, etc.?
<
p>2) Where will the union get financing for the “purchase”?
<
p>3) Will the government (Taunton, MA) have to step in and pay anything as part of the deal?
<
p>4) Who will purchase the new company’s product once they have purchased the equipment taken by eminent domain?
<
p>There is a myriad of other questions, but I think you get the general direction. Interesting approach by the union, but not sure how it will work aside from not liking eminent domain in general.
<
p>Thanks
The owners of the plant want to move it. They are planning to sell the equipment. So your plan if for the City to buy the equipment. Aren’t you helping them move?