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#OCCUPYWALLSTREET LABOR ACTION AT SOTHEBY’S ART AUCTION

September 9th, 2012 Leave a comment Go to comments

On the morning of September 22nd, 2001 activists involved in #OCCUPYWALLSTREET disrupted an art auction at Sotheby’s Art Auctions on the Upper East Side. Last year Sotheby’s made profits of $680 Million Dollars. Their CEO Bill Rupprecht awarded himself a 125% raise. At the same time Sotheby’s has decided to use union busting tactics, demanding over 100 concessions to the IBT 814 Art Handlers Union Contract.

#OCCUPYWALLSTREET supporters are appalled at the persistent attack on workers rights. We support the right of the workers to collectively bargain. Sotheby’s wants all new hires to have no collective bargaining rights, no health benefits and no job security. After locking out their unionized work force, Sotheby’s continues to operate using scabs and a non-union subcontractor. Sotheby’s Art Auctions epitomize the disconnect of the extremely wealthy from the rest of us. Sotheby’s Art Auctions are a sanctuary for the financial elite; where hedge fund managers & wealthy bankers bid millions of dollars for art objects; while the rest of us struggle to put food on the table because of their actions. These are the same financial elite who were bailed out in their moment of need and now refuse to pay their fair share in taxes. Many of these Hedge Fund Managers still pay a nominal tax rate compared with the average worker. That is our money! End the greed & expose the disconnect!

#OCCUPYWALLSTREET supporters call on the 99% to raid the sanctuaries of the financial elite; to conduct non-violent civil disobedience in the country clubs, luxury shops, and private resorts where the Financial Elite gather; and to show that WE WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE BUSINESS AS USUAL.

DON’T LET SOTHEBY’S AUCTION OFF GOOD MIDDLE CLASS JOBS TO THE LOWEST BIDDER!

DON’T LET SOTHEBY’S AUCTION OFF THE AMERICAN DREAM!

MAKE WALL STREET PAY!

DOWN WITH SOTHEBY’S! DOWN WITH GREED!

UP WITH THE PEOPLE! UP WITH THE UNIONS!

#WEARECOMING

Hugs and Kisses,

#OCCUPYWALLSTREET Labor Group

Duration : 0:2:33


[youtube NwjcR_UrzWw]

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  1. dillonfreed
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #1

    The “workers” …
    The “workers” screaming probably never even had a job. 

  2. koppellhinex
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #2

    CAPITALISM & …
    CAPITALISM & COMMUNISM SUCKS..!!!

    human beings still not equal specially in any form of government interference. No Politicians. No Bankers. No Drug Lords. No lawyers. No Gambling Lords. No Anarchist. No to rebel Politicians. No to Dictators. No Opportunist Lazy People. No King. No Emperor. No Sultanate. No Rulers. No Royal Families. No Criminals. No Elite Evil Minded People. etc. etc.

    We humans need more freedom. We dont need any government anymore.. we are all free.!!!

  3. PATR1CKBATEMAN
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #3

    THIS IS …
    THIS IS DISGUSTING! THIS IS WHAT I HATE ABOUT THE OCCUPY WALLSTREET MOVEMENT! YOU! LET PEOPLE BUY AND SELL WHAT THEY WANT, HOW THEY WANT TO DO IT, YOU PIECES OF WORKING CLASS SHIT!

  4. stevensartifacts
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #4

    they were informing …
    they were informing the buyers that by purchasing through sotheby’s they were supporting a greedy company that has no concern for its workers. did you even watch the video? no one was ever criticized for wanting to spend their money on art. you’re clueless.

  5. McTacobell808
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #5

    And how is that? …
    And how is that? They are fighting for what? More money for themselves? In a capitalist society, people are going to be greedy. People need to accept that.

  6. jptugagmr
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #6

    you are a system …
    you are a system slave.

    They are fighting for the rights of all the citizens.

  7. cdagggga
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #7

    @jmj540 no they are …
    @jmj540 no they are saving america, you are whats wrong with it, you and your absurd ignorance

  8. jmj540
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #8

    FUCKING TEENAGERS …
    TEENAGERS EM THEY’RE RUINING AMERICA. GET A JOB AT MCDONALDS OR SUMTHIN

  9. MrPrinceOFpa
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #9

    i hope the unions …
    i hope the unions and the liberals have a big war with the republicans and they all kill each other.

  10. TheSchug
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #10

    So they disrupted …
    So they disrupted an auction because there were people who made money there? That doesn’t make sense, it just makes more people hate OWS than there already are.

  11. Z3r0Up
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #11

    I support this all …
    I support this all the way! The next time something like this happens, though, there should be a lot more then just 9 of the protesters there. Keep it up, OWS! 🙂

  12. reb618
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #12

    You Occupy people …
    You Occupy people don’t even pay your local drug dealers to supply you with pot, and are getting shot and killed over it in your emcampments. At least these people are paying for their artwork. Shitheads!

  13. reb618
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #13

    Who’s …
    Who’s business is it of yours to challenge what these people spend their money on. Brats!

  14. measdna
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #14

    Next time time just …
    Next time time just bring one of those little bottle that smell like raw eggs (fart bombs/stink bombs) and break one there… now, that’s how you sabotage a meeting. I will guarantee you, people will not be able to stand the smell.

  15. daniel27121993
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #15

    u shud of blew the …
    u shud of blew the room up instead lol

  16. FreeMarketCap
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #16

    Nice intimidation …
    Nice intimidation tactics, why does everybody think your a bunch of union thugs again?

  17. Khaos07
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #17

    RESPECT!!! *cheer*
    RESPECT!!! *cheer*

  18. Someideasandstuff
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #18

    .
    GOOD JOB #OWS, …

    .
    GOOD JOB #OWS, GOOD JOB
    .

  19. zachgre1
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #19

    These people who …
    These people who protesting are doing what is wrong in the building but I agree with the message. They can go outside. They are in private property. If the building is public then it is fine. People who want to buy the paintings is their right of freedom of speech if it is wrong the management is doing. It is not right strike the building. Have you see strikes outside of the building. Peace and love.

  20. expatted
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #20

    We are 99
    We are 99

  21. tazrockon
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #21

    What a bunch of …
    What a bunch of retards.

  22. bwelb
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #22

    If you don’t think …
    If you don’t think they pay you enough, then go get a job somewhere else.

    If you think their business is reaping way too high of profit margins, then move in and open up a business to compete with them with much lower prices.

    Otherwise, you just appear like a cry baby who is jealous with envy.

  23. spacemooseprime
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #23

    Jesus would …
    Jesus would probably have supported unions which give the working classes a way of negotiating at a fair level with the ownership classes. Obviously the concept didn’t exist at the time, but I encourage you to read the sermon on the mount to see how old mr. J’s attitudes towards social structure and wealth distribution.

  24. elikent78
    September 9th, 2012 at 20:35 | #24

    Sotheby’s gave it’s …
    Sotheby’s gave it’s CEO a 125% raise in 2010, but locked the workers out after they refused to accept stiff givebacks such as signing away their right to sue in federal court for employment discrimination (why was Sotheby’s even asking for this) and giving Sotheby’s the right to take away their pension plan.

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