Massachusetts Unions Determined to Oust Casino Blockers

Still, the politicians had to be aware there was a national spotlight on this issue.

Massachusetts lawmakers who switched their votes to help Speaker Sal DiMasi defeat Governor Patrick's casino plan now must worry about the impact with voters. DiMasi reportedly promised political favors and appointments to persuade changes of heart, but the challenge for those legislators swayed may be staying in office.

Teamsters Union officials, disappointed that the casino jobs they envisioned will not be forthcoming, wrote representatives who helped defeat the casino bill that the union would be supporting candidates against them in the next election. The AFL-CIO has said it will take casino voting into consideration when endorsing candidates.

DiMasi's office tried to mitigate the damage, releasing a letter referring to many votes in the past in which the suspect legislators supported union issues such as increased minimum wage, parental leave, and other union causes.

Sean O'Brien, president of Teamsters Local Union No. 25, said," There are fewer and fewer job opportunities in the commonwealth of Massachusetts that do not require a college education. We believe casinos would have helped to address this economic problem." 

Several of the lawmakers under attack were upset by the union reaction. Representative Michael Rodrigues mentioned his own support of labor through the years and complained,"It's a typical 'What have you done for me lately?' " 

Still, the politicians had to be aware there was a national spotlight on this issue. While those who opposed the plan from the start can claim moral high ground, the legislators who were turned by DiMasi's carrot-and-stick routine should suffer for their shaky values and easily swayed votes.