Saratoga Springs Politics

Probing Politics Affecting Saratoga Springs. By John Kaufmann.

Picketers And Saratoga Springs Police Show What The Word “Class” Means

Members of the International United Electrical Workers and the Communications Workers of America have been on strike in Waterford now for eighty-two days against Momentive.  I have discussed the details of this job action in another blog.  The company was bought from General Electric by Apollo Global Management which is run by Leon Black and Steven Schwartzman.  These are two of the wealthiest men on Wall Street which makes them two of the wealthiest men on earth.

After successfully cutting wages and benefits in a previous contract with the unions they now want to cut health benefits for both current employees and retired employees as well as cut retirement benefits among other give backs.

This evening (Monday, January 23, 2017) the employees set up a picket line at Jack G. Boss’s home off Meadowbrook Road.  Mr. Boss, who is the CEO of Momentive, had a compensation package of $5,418,611.00 in 2015.  Picture of Mr. Boss.

Joe Levy and I went out to see what was going on.

Everything was rather quiet in the cold night until a man driving an Audi with his children in the car stopped in front of the union members holding a banner.  Much of this incident was caught on video by channel 13. One of the strikers approached the car and this elegantly dressed gentleman got rather ugly.  To my amazement, in spite of the fact that there were approximately fifty men from the unions there, he got out of his car appearing to be interested in a fight.  If you find this hard to believe, watch the video.

What was most impressive was the restraint of the union members and the excellent job done by the two city police officers who were present.  The police officers got this gentleman  back in his car and patiently urged him to leave.  This was another time I was very proud to be living in Saratoga as I watched our city’s officers work to defuse the situation.  The man continued to be belligerent with the police.   I couldn’t hear it all but I did hear him ask the police officer, “Do you know who my wife is?”  “I’d like your name.”  “How long have you been a policeman?” (seventeen years he was told). 

The police officer pointed out that the man had children in the car and suggested he should  take them home.  None of this seemed to do much good.  I cannot recall exactly how the police officer put it but in a very dignified and firm voice he sent the message to the man that if he did not leave action would be taken.  The man finally left. 

The man’s  license plate was “Joe 14”.   If anyone recognizes this man I would very much like to know who he is and who his wife is who apparently is someone “important.”