Alaska AFL-CIO Labor 2008

Check out the NEW AK Employee Free Choice Act blog

Please take a moment to click here to visit the new AK labor movement Employee Free Choice Act blog.

Labor 2008 in Pictures

 

Wow, what a night!  We are living through history.  Although we may not have secured everything that we were hoping for in yesterday’s elections (yet), one thing is for certain.  Alaskan politics is never dull.  With races this close and unpredictable, there is no question that every vote turned out by the labor movement really did count.

 

In honor of the volunteers and release staff that worked so hard throughout this campaign, please enjoy the above collection featuring some of our favorite photos. 

 

I am proud of each and every union member who volunteered with Labor 2008 on behalf of Alaska’s working families.  Regardless of what the final count in our Senate race ends up being, this experience is truly something to build on as we move forward. 

 

In Solidarity,

 

Vince Beltrami

Alaska AFL-CIO President

How Did We Get Here?

This is the historic moment that we have been pushing towards.  Cast your vote if you haven’t already, and please continue to remind your fellow union members to do so.  Many of our most significant contests, including Mark Begich’s bid for the U.S. Senate, could be decided by a slim margin.  The Labor 2008 GOTV effort can bring these elections home for working families.

We have come so far, so fast.  Please enjoy the above video in which members of APWU, AFGE, APEA/AFT, IBEW, ILWU, IUPAT, NEA-Alaska, and UFCW show us the fundamentals of the Labor 2008 program.  Local union mail.  Member to member phone banks. Worksite leafleting.  Labor walks.  This is how the labor movement wins elections.

It is not over until the polls close.  Call 344-0910 to volunteer anytime today.  Take nothing for granted; leave nothing to chance.  Today is the day that we turn around America and take back Alaska!

"Rocky" Beltrami

Just when you thought that Alaska AFL-CIO President Vince Beltrami couldn’t possibly have anything left to say about tomorrow’s election, he stars in an all new movie parody.  Click above to watch the Rocky spoof. Then call 344-0910 to and help with GOTV.  

This is a historic moment, and we must seize the opportunity to forge a better future for working families here in Alaska and across the country.  In the next 24 hours, please cast your vote if you haven’t done so already, and then volunteer to remind others.  

Make phone calls.  Visit homes or worksites.  Wave a sign.  Drive fellow union members to the polls.  It is so simple, yet so important.  With economic stability, health care access, retirement security and the Employee Free Choice Act at stake, we can’t afford to leave this up to chance.

Daily Union Spotlight: Building Trades

“Be a real maverick and be sure to vote,” challenges Mike Notar, President of the Juneau Building and Construction Trades Council.  “Support working family candidates.”

 

Jay Quakenbush, President of the Fairbanks Building and Construction Trades Council is supporting Mark Begich because of the Employee Free Choice Act.  “Let me tell you why I think congress should pass the Employee Free Choice Act.  It will give workers the right to join a union without the intimidation and coercion that they now receive from their employers.  Joining a union gives people the chance for some dignity, and to improve their wages and benefits on the job.”

 

Both Notar and Quakenbush have been active in the Labor 2008 program, participating in labor walks and phone banking.  They have also collected signatures in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

 

Building Trades could bring home the victory for the candidates who support working Alaskans.  Call 344-0910 to find out how you can help in the final, crucial moments of Labor 2008.

(Photo: Jay Quakenbush collecting signature in support of the Employee Free Choice Act on Labor Day.)

Mark Begich Thanks Labor 2008: "This is Our Moment"

“No matter what the circumstances, we are not going to take anything for granted.  We are going to work double time,” said AFL-CIO endorsed U.S. Senate Candidate Mark Begich, as he addressed a crowd of 139 Labor 2008 volunteers gathered in Anchorage for the Big, Fat Final Labor Walk on November 1st. 

Begich acknowledged the incredible amount of work done by Labor 2008 this election season and encouraged the crowd to keep pushing through Election Day.  “If Labor is united, Labor will determine not only the U.S. Senate and what goes on in Congress, but also our State Legislature.”

The Alaska AFL-CIO and NEA-Alaska are supporting Mark Begich because as Mayor of Anchorage he has created jobs, balance the budget, and supported project labor agreements.  Begich is also a firm supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act and the fundamental rights of working people who choose to form or join unions.

To volunteer in the final days of Labor 2008, call 344-0910.  Get out the vote efforts are on going until the polls close on November 4th.

“This is our moment.  This is the time and you guys are going to make it happen.  You’re going to put us over the top.  Thank you for what you are doing.”

Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk: A Big, Fat Success!

Today, 194 volunteers from 17 different national unions participated in the Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk.  The data is still being tallied, but it is possible that Labor 2008 reached out to 10,000 Alaskan union households in a single day!

 

In Anchorage, volunteers hailed from AFA-CWA Local 30, AFGE Local 1712, AFGE Local 3937, AILU Local 1, APEA/AFT, RPEA/AFT, APEA/AFT Local 4900, APEA/AFT Local 6265, APEA/AFT Local 6070, ASEA/AFSCME Local 52, APWU Local 2756, BCTGM, IBEW Local 1547, ILWU Local 5, ILWU Local 13, ILWU Local 19, ILWU AKLD Unit 66, ILWU AKLD Unit 222, ILWU AKLD Unit 223, ILWU Local 200 Unit 16, Ironworkers Local 751, IUOE Local 302, LIUNA Local 341, NALC Branch 4319, NEA-Alaska, PASS Chapter AK3, Teamsters Local 959, and UFCW Local 1496.  

Visit our flickr account to see more photos from the Anchorage Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/labor2008/sets/72157608574654399/

 In Fairbanks, participants included AFGE, APEA/AFT, ASEA/AFSCME Local 52, IBEW Local 1547, NEA-Alaska, and UFCW Local 1496.

Visit our flickr account to see more photos from the Fairbanks Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/labor2008/sets/72157608572526745/

In Juneau, volunteers came out from APEA/AFT, RPEA/AFT, ASEA/AFSCME Local 52, IBEW Local 1547, ILWU AKLD, LIUNA Local 942, and UA Local 262.

 

“When Labor votes, Labor wins,” Alaska AFL-CIO President Vince Beltrami told the energetic Anchorage crowd as he introduced the guest of honor, U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich (see related article above for Mayor Begich’s remarks).

 

The Anchorage crowd was also treated to a special statement from Iowa Senator Tom Harkin.  Harkin has an excellent working family voting record and he gave Mark Begich a whole-hearted endorsement.  “You send Mark Begich to the Senate and we are going to pass the Employee Free Choice Act next year, I guarantee it!”

Watch the video above for Senator Harkin's full remarks.

(Top Photo: AFL-CIO endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich with members of AILU, ILWU and NALC in Anchorage.  Bottom Photo: NEA-Alaska members get ready to walk in Fairbanks.)

"Ransom Note" for the "Fairbanks Five"

When the APEA/AFT Executive Board met over the weekend, they were joined by five State Legislature candidates who have earned the endorsement of the AFL-CIO because they will fight for working families. 

 

Joe Paskvan of Senate District E, Karl Kassel of House District 7, David Guttenberg of House District 8, Scott Kawasaki of House District 9, and John Brown of House District 10 discussed their policy positions and thanked labor walk participants at the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks on Saturday morning.

 

Watch this fun video in which APEA/AFT Board Members explain how you can help the “Fairbanks Five” and other labor-friendly candidates win on Tuesday.

 

To volunteer with Labor 2008, call 344-0910 today.

Labor Leader of the Week: Bruce Senkow of APEA/AFT

“Politicians have an impact on every union member.  When you vote on Tuesday, your work life, your benefits, and your retirement security are at stake.”  With only 5 days until Election Day, Labor Leader of the Week Bruce Senkow of APEA/AFT has a final challenge for all union members.  “If you support the candidates that the AFL-CIO has endorsed, then you have to talk to your membership.”

 

Senkow doesn’t just talk the talk.  He leads by example, frequently participating in labor walks and calling fellow union members to discuss the elections.  APEA/AFT turned in impressive labor walk and phone bank volunteer numbers this election cycle, in part because President Senkow incorporated Labor 2008 volunteer opportunities into APEA statewide meeting and caucuses.  APEA/AFT also leafleted at worksites and conducted an aggressive local union mail campaign, urging members to “vote their paychecks.”

 

And it is not over yet.  Senkow is hoping for a huge turn out at the Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk this Saturday.  “This is our chance to make the changes that we need.”  To volunteer in the final days of Labor 2008, call 344-0910.

 

One of the reasons that Senkow thinks union voters should turnout is retirement security.  “For Alaska public employees, as well as the public at large, this election is about being able to retire with dignity.  If you work hard throughout your career, you shouldn’t have to worry about out-living your pension.” 

 

Bruce came to Alaska “for the adventure” after earning his degree in Labor Relations from Penn State University.  He worked for APEA as a Business Manager before becoming a public employee himself.  He was an Employee Representative and Local President before serving as a statewide Executive Board Member.  Senkow has been the President of APEA/AFT for the past six years and was recently reelected.  He is also a national AFT Officer.

 

Bruce’s wife is also an active union member.  “My family understands how important my union activity is, and they support me every step of the way.  I wouldn’t be able to do this without their backing.”

Mark Begich to Attend the Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk

AFL-CIO endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich realizes the critical role that Labor 2008 is playing in this election.  As he said in his Labor 2008 video, “Without your help, I am not going to be the U.S. Senator.”

 

Begich will stop by to say thank you in person before the Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk on Saturday, November 1^st.  Mark will be at the Anchorage IBEW Hall to speak to union members before the walk begins, so get there early! 

 

Where and When to Meet Mark:

 

Anchorage: Saturday, November 1st

Sign-In 9 AM until 9:30 AM

Walk until approximately 1 PM

IBEW Hall

3333 Denali Street

Anchorage, AK  99503

Contact Zone Coordinator Megan Collie at 258-6284

 

Although Begich will only be able to stop by the Anchorage office, the Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk is a statewide event.  In fact, voters in Fairbanks and Juneau may be less familiar with Mark, so walking in those locations could have a huge impact.

 

Fairbanks and Juneau Big, Fat, Final Labor Walk Information:

 

Fairbanks: Saturday, November 1st
Sign-In 10 AM until 10:30 AM
Walk until approximately 1 PM
The Tesco Building
2120 S. Cushman St.
Fairbanks, AK  99701
Contact Zone Coordinator Kelly Brown at 590-9106

 

Juneau: Saturday, November 1st
Sign-In 10 AM until 10:30 AM
Walk until approximately 1 PM
Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall
1751 Anka Street
Juneau, AK 99801
Contact Zone Coordinator Cindy Spanyers at 321-3350  

 

 

Busy this weekend?  Call 344-0910 to find the labor walk, member to member phone bank, worksite leaflet or local union mail opportunity that fits your schedule.  But don’t put it off any longer.  We only have one week to turnout 100,000 union members, retirees, and union family members to vote for candidates who support working people.