It comes as little surprise that the AFL-CIO is opposing Samuel Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court. But it reaffirms how closely the nation's largest labor union is tied to Democrats.
Here's part of the AFL-CIO's letter to supporters today:
"After a careful examination of Samuel Alito’s record, it is clear that his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court threatens the rights of America’s workers and their families, and we urge you to join us in opposing his confirmation.
"Time and again, Judge Alito has chosen the most restrictive view when interpreting laws that protect workers’ rights. In his decisions and dissents, he has consistently taken the side of entrenched corporate power over working families. He regularly rules against federal agencies charged with protecting the rights of workers. And his fellow judges in the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have criticized him for his narrow interpretations of worker protections.
"Contact your senators today to express your opposition to Samuel Alito’s confirmation.
"Here are just a few examples of cases where Samuel Alito has taken the side of Big Business over the rights of working families:
"In RNS Services Inc. v. Secretary of Labor, Alito dissented in favor of a coal company, arguing to limit the jurisdiction of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
"In Bray v. Marriott Hotels and Sheridan v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Alito wrote dissents that would make it more difficult for workers to prove claims of race and gender discrimination.
"In Reich v. Gateway Press, Alito wrote a dissent that would have denied overtime pay to a group of newspaper reporters."
