(2003-12-04) — A top political advisor to Democrat presidential candidate Dick Gephardt came under fire from union leaders yesterday for violating union work rules regarding blackmail.
Joyce Aboussie, the vice chair of Mr. Gephardt’s presidential campaign, allegedly issued an “ultimatum” to two unions, threatening to call for the repeal of collective-bargaining rights for Missouri state workers if the unions endorsed rival Howard Dean.
“Our work rules clearly specify that only a designated union representative may use threats to exert political pressure,” said a spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). “Joyce Aboussie does not even have a union card, let alone the union certification to do what she attempted. We’re reporting the Gephardt campaign to the National Labor Relations Board.”

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