Eight union radicals were arrested Dec. 4. for for disorderly conduct after raiding an employer-rights seminar in Milwaukee. Service Employees Int’l Union boss Steve Cupery was also arrested for battery. SEIU’s target was a seminar called, “Operating Union-Free in the 21st Century,” sponsored by the Wessels & Pautsch law firm. Union radicals marched outside the event, but then a security guard and a seminar attorney were punched. Protesters then attacked the meeting room and read a statement objecting to alternatives to unionization. Police soon arrived to arrested them. Battery carries a fine of $330, disorderly conduct $115. [Mil. Journal-Sentinel 12/5/98]
$346K PAC Transfer Violate Law?
The Mich. Chamber of Commerce filed a complaint with state election officials Dec. 9 alleging that the Mich. United Auto Workers’ political action committee broke state campaign finance laws by accepting $346,000 from UAW’s national PAC. The Chamber says the transfer violated the state requirement that PACs funded by payroll deductions must reaffirm the deduction with workers making the donation each year. Federal PACs don’t have the same requirements; thus, the transferred funds are deemed “tainted” under Mich. campaign laws according to the Chamber. “The money should have been ineligible for use in Michigan elections,” said the Chamber’s Bob LaBrant. UAW’s PAC could be required to reimburse the money to the national PAC or pay a fine. [BNA 12/10/98]