DECK the halls with non-hazardous, non-denominational holly (tra-la-la-la-laa, la-la-la-la!)
The AFL-CIO’s Web site, http://www.workingfamilies.com, has found a way to bring out the PC consumer — as in “Politically Correct,” as opposed to “beige box made with Nafta-sanctioned Mexican labor” — in its members.
Just launched this week, the proletarian portal has a shopping mall specializing in “sweat-free, union made and social justice gifts.”
Bargains include the Radio Flyer All-Terrain Cargo Wagon ($119.99) made by members of UAW Local 1066 and the Jensen CD-450K 160 Watt AM/FM Stereo In-Dash Receiver with CD ($149.96, save $99.99).
Or you can shop for union logoware — a United Farm Workers video, perhaps, or something sassy from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (who took on Verizon).
Best of all you can fire off an e-greeting to your most anti-union CEO of your choice.
Cards drawn by cartoonist Ted Rall can be sent to A Bad Boss (Boss: “I had to choose between paying myself a year-end bonus and firing you.” Worker: “I’ll clear out my desk.”) E-mail addresses and critical facts are provided for “John F. Welch Jr.” of General Electric (exporting jobs overseas), Dick King of Labor Ready (illegal deductions) and John Rowe of Unicom and Commonwealth Edison (a ban on temporary tattoos bearing the union insignia and the words “Strength in Unity”).
Other targets for Rall’s “edgy” wit include “Union Busting CEOs” (Leo F. Mullin, Delta Air Lines; Joe Corvin, Oregon Steel; Leo H. Suggs, Overnite Transportation), favorite Free Traders (Larry Montgomery, Kohl’s; H. Lee Scott Jr., Wal-Mart; and Philip H. Knight, Nike, natch) and compassionate conservatives Grover Norquist, Marvin Olasky and Newt Gingrich.
If nothing, it’ll boost your Rolodex.