You may have noticed, for those of you who read the national press, that a new organization popped up called the “Center For Union Facts.” On the one hand, it’s actually quite a lame operation–and you have to chuckle at the stereotypes it tries to promote. And, you have to question any operation that features a quote from yours truly *above* a quote from Andy Stern–don’t they know who has no power in the labor movement versus who has real power?

John Stauber, Executive Director, Center for Media and Democracy, had this tidbit to pass on:

On February 13, a full-page advertisement in the New York Times and a media stunt involving a dinosaur announced a new union-bashing front group called Center for Union Facts. Who is behind the ad and their UnionFacts.com website? Nothing in the advertisement or the webpage mentions Rick Berman, but –Bingo! — that’s who owns the website domain name. Rick Berman is a right-wing lobbyist who has built a lucrative career establishing industry-funded front groups including FishScam.com, the Center for Consumer Freedom, the Employment Policies Institute, the Employment Roundtable and ActivistCash.com. Berman specializes in personal attacks, smear tactics and playing loose with the facts. He has raised millions of dollars from tobacco, booze, biotech, fast food, grocery and other businesses eager to have Berman do their dirty work. Another Rick Berman connection to the Center for Union Facts is Sarah Longwell, the group’s PR contact, who has also worked for Berman’s Employment Policies Institute.

More as it comes in. But, my guess this Center just disappears into the wind. It will huff and puff…

Steve Greenhouse has a by-the-numbers account in today’s New York Times.