Meet Don Young, Alaska U.S. House Incumbent

Lately it may seem that all eyes are on Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, as AFL-CIO endorsed Democrat Mark Begich attempts to unseat indicted 40-year incumbent Ted Stevens. 

 

But lest we forget, Congressman Don Young is up for reelection to Alaska’s only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

In his 35 years of service, Young has often split with his party in order to support working Alaskans.   For example, Young supports the Davis-Bacon Act, which ensures that workers receive at least the locally prevailing wages and benefits on public building projects. 

 

Young also fought for camp legislation to improve working and living conditions on remote building projects.  Previously on remote jobs, workers who could not afford trailers had to sleep in cars or even in culverts to get out of the weather.  It was incredibly difficult for an apprentice to make it.  Thanks to legislation that Don Young pushed for, laborers now make $75 per day in tax free per diem if their employer will not provide a camp with sanitary conditions and meals.  In addition to the obvious benefit, this has also encouraged companies to make more of an effort to hire local Alaskan workers.

 

Of course, the Employee Free Choice Act is a crucial piece of legislation.  Congressman Young proved that he supports the rights of working people who choose to form unions by voting for this necessary bill.  And perhaps more impressively, he held that position in the face of fierce opposition from his challenger in the Republican primary.

 

Alaskan union members face a difficult choice, as Don Young’s opponent Ethan Berkowitz also supports the Employee Free Choice Act and has a track record of standing up for working people in the State Legislature.  The Alaska AFL-CIO has given a dual endorsement to Democrat Ethan Berkowitz and Republican Don Young in this U.S. House Race.

 

Click here to watch Ethan Berkowitz's Labor 2008 video.

“In a world where politics is often a choice between the lesser of two evils, Alaskans should be excited to have two quality candidates who will support the Employee Free Choice Act and the right of working people who choose to form unions,” says Vince Beltrami, President of the Alaska AFL-CIO.