Colorado AFL-CIO Labor 2008

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AFM members play a song for their union

Chris McKeever of NATCA at the last worksite leaflet for Labor 2008

“I was assigned to Colorado because of its importance in the national landscape.  Looking back on Labor 2008 in Colorado, we achieved the best possible scenario, as far as results, that we could expect.  We look forward to the positive change that the new administration and the new congress will bring to the air traffic control system. Mission accomplished!” --Chris McKeever

A look back on Colorado Labor 2008

We just made history.  Because of your passion and commitment, we turned Colorado blue for Barack Obama, Mark Udall, and Betsy Markey.  Working together, the coalition was able to expose Amendments 47 and 49 for the risky and deceptive measures that they are.  We are disappointed that the special interests won out with Amendment 54. 

And you know—turning Colorado blue and defeating 47 and 49 doesn’t happen by itself.  It happens because we’re out there, every day, talking to our fellow members.  Colorado and the rest of the country is turning around America. And this happened because every day, you were knocking on the doors of fellow members.  Every day, you were calling members on the phone to talk about issues important to working families. Every day, you were passing out leaflets at worksites.

We don't want you to forget how we did it. Because of you, because of your hard work, dedication and passion for making change, we are starting down an awesome path to things better for working families.  It’s just more true than every that this could not have happened without you. 

We have a lot of work ahead of us to change our country.  Stay tuned for an email update in the near future. But today, we just wanted to say thank you for being a part of Labor 2008.  Together, we made history. 

Election Day is here! Our hard work will bring it home.

Captain John Barton talks about anti-worker amendments 47, 49, and 54

ALPA and AFA members leaflet the airport turnstyles 1 day out

One day left to make history, brothers and sisters!

One day left to make history, brothers and sisters! This is our chance to show what the labor movement can do when we are united with a great program behind great candidates.

After hours, days, weeks, and months of hard work, we’re coming down to the final day. Can you believe we’re finally here? We are one day away.

We’re one day away from electing Barack Obama as our President of the United States.  We’re one day away from electing Mark Udall as our U.S. Senator.  We’re one day away from defeating anti-worker amendments 47, 49, and 54. 

With only 26 hours until polls close tomorrow, we want to be able to say we put it all out there; we left it all on the road; and we worked our fannies off to turn around America. 

Labor 2008 kicked off on March 29th at the Colorado AFL-CIO in Denver.  Since this, it’s been a whirlwind of labor walks, member-to-member phone banks, local union mail, worksite leafleting, and lots of fun and excitement. 

Here in Colorado, it’s clear that this election is coming down to the wire.
The energy of Labor 2008 certainly is different from other years.  You can really tell there is a feeling of hope and a feeling of change. There is an incredible sense of excitement and energy surrounding Barack Obama's race for the White House, Mark Udall’s race for the Senate, and in defeating amendments 47, 49, and 54. 

This year we’re going to turn Colorado blue, which hasn’t happened since the 1992 presidential. The possibility of turning Colorado into a truly working family-friendly state has union members really getting into the movement this year.  It's so amazing to watch people from such different walks of life, come together to fight for a common cause.

Sara Kuntzler, the Field Director for Labor 2008 is especially proud of the leadership developed by the release staff.  “We have some incredible people working for Labor 2008 and they have totally exceeded my expectations. Their enthusiasm and commitment has really shown through in working to defeat the anti-worker amendments 54, 49 and 47, and electing Obama and Udall. This campaign has brought out some of the most passionate, dedicated, hard-working people I've worked with, and I can't wait to see the amazing things they'll do for this labor movement!”

When we say the Colorado Labor Movement is on the move…we mean it!  We have 150,000 AFL-CIO union voters.  We have 2,500 volunteers. We have attempted over 250,000 contacts on the doors and on the phones.  We have distributed over 327,000 leaflets at worksites across the state. 

With one day left, we’re all still cranking away on the phones and at the doors.  We’re working through 160,000 door knocks, 50,000 calls, and distributing 100,000 leaflets at worksites. 

Here’s what our leaders had to say about our final day…

Dwayne Stephens, President of the Colorado AFL-CIO

“I think it’s very important to walk the day before Election Day so we can make sure we’re doing everything we can.  I guess at the end of the day, you want to make sure you’ve done everything you can to get out the vote. To make sure people get out and vote, because on the 5th, you don’t want to have to sit there and think, geez could I have done more? And this way you know you’re doing everything you can to make the outcome right for America.”

Mike Cerbo, Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO

“Keep pushing! We’re not letting up. We’re gong to win this thing. We’re going to win this thing big. We’re sending a message to the rest of the country about Colorado. And we’re sending a message to some of our anti-worker elements in Colorado that we’re serious. When we take on a project like this, we not only deliver to our endorsed candidates and get out people out to vote, we deliver big time! Send a big message.”

Dave Atkinson, Secretary- Treasurer of the Colorado AFL-CIO

“Your vote is your voice. IF you have anything to say about what happened to this country in the last eight years, you better say it on Election Day.”

CBCTC: GOTV all the way

The Colorado Building and Construction Trades leafleted the Comanche Power Plant in Pueblo. This was a very, very powerful leaflet, with over 1,200 union members on the job at an all-union job. 

Jim Cooksey, IBB International Representative for the Western states. "We're out here hand billing the job for the building trades here in Colorado. This election is probably the most important in any of our lives, and we feel it's imperative that we get out here, get our message out, get our members to the polls, and get this thing turned around."

Dan Toussaint is the Business Manager for IBEW Local 12 in Pueblo.  The power plant "is a 100 percent building trades job, that has 100 percent union labor force that is building this power house.  Every man and woman that's on this jobsite are part of the union and the brotherhood."

Union members in Colorado are coming out in mass numbers against amendments 47, 49, and 54.  Teresa of UA Local 58 Steward, and Gloria of UA Local 58 apprentice, both say "We are fighting against 47, 49, and 54!" Eric of IBEW Local 113 in Colorado Springs says he is "telling everyone to vote no on 47, 49, and 54."

Eli of UA Local 208 out of Denver is voting no on the amendments because "I want to protect rights of the union and I want to keep our wages up, benefits up. We're not going to be able to compete with the non-union if they can just walk in and take our jobs. So that's the reason why I'm urging my family to do it too."

Mike Fernandez is the President of IBB Local 101 and Steward on Comanche 3 came out to leaflet his fellow members. "I'm here to pass the word that we need to vote for Barack Obama and vote 'no' on amendments 47, 49, and 54." Mike's hard hat was covered with union stickers.  "Showing pride, every day," says Mike. 

The Colorado Building Trades are also talking to their members about voting for Barack Obama and Mark Udall, our labor-friendly candidates "that will help the working families of Colorado," says Dan. 

Neal Hall (Business Manager of the CBCTC) is excited that Colorado might go blue for Obama and Udall this year. "Barak Obama is my choice because he supports working families. And I truly believe that.  Our major issues will always be on the top of his agenda. Barak Obama supports unions, and we need to support Barack Obama!"

Dan also urges every union member to get out there and vote if you haven't already.  "Probably one of the most important things that any union family and union member can do is get out and vote. Your vote is going to help the next working family."

What else is the CBCTC up to, you might wonder. Well let us tell you- they're up to a lot with Labor 2008!  Sean McGarvey, Secretary-Treasurer of the BCT, came out to Colorado in October to walk with the 14 trades. 

Neal Hall along with many more union members, participate in phone banks, worksite leaflets, labor walks, and local union mail.  He is happy to see international union leaders coming to our state to help out in this critical time.  "Colorado is an important state. We're very pleased that the international presidents have taken interest and are sending some staffers out here."

Secretary-Treasurer McGarvey says, "In the building trades, especially, we're a mobile work force.  So when we get the opportunity to go on job sites and talk to people, in a comfortable setting, at the job site, where we all have that common bond of working with the tools and the trade, you really get to have that personal conversation, give them the information, and answer their questions. There is nothing more effective for building trades than having the opportunity to walk on those job sites and talk to those members."

"For union members, there is nothing more important than hearing from another union member," says Secretary-Treasurer McGarvey.  "And they trust other union members to give them the straight talk. So there is no other way to communicate with a union member more effectively than door-to-door."

CBCTC Leaflet the Comanche Plant in Pueblo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/labor2008/sets/72157608547187710/

Neal Hall, Business Manager for the CBCTC:  http://labor2008.typepad.com/co/2008/10/neal-hall-busin.html

Building Trades Secretary-Treasurer Sean McGarvey in Denver: http://labor2008.typepad.com/co/2008/10/saturdays-walke.html

AFGE, APWU, NALC, and NPMHU leaflet the Bulk Mail Facility with U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall

Mike Cerbo, Executive Director of the AFL-CIO, was out with Congressman Udall and APWU, NALC, NPMHU.  “I’m out here this afternoon, the Thursday before the election, leafleting with some of our brother and sister unions.  Mark Udall is going to be the next Senator for Colorado!”

Tony Archuletta came out to leaflet. He’s the President of APWU Local 7029.  “Mark Udall stands for people.  The working people, middle class people, and that’s what we primarily have at the Denver BMC, working class people. I’d like to have our people go out and vote. I think it’s very important, the issues that stand for their jobs.  I think we really need to get the people out and to vote for what they stand for—what they’re working for.”

Lance Stewart, with AFGE, came out to leaflet with the soon-to-be U.S. Senator.  “I’m out here to support Mark Udall, help him get elected. We need another champion for working families in the senate. Complete our change of Colorado from red to blue—the complete transformation. The reason I’m out here today is that even though the polls are looking good, we have to go right on to the very last minute, make it an overwhelming win.” 

Check out flickr site to see photos.