Indiana AFL-CIO Labor 2008

YOU DID IT!

Congratulations YOU DID IT!

You not only maintained, but strengthened the worker-friendly
majority in the Indiana statehouse, protecting all working
Hoosiers from dangerous Right-to-Work for less laws! And with a
guaranteed 52 person, worker-friendly majority right now, there
are still 2 close races that are undecided! (Stay tuned for the
final counts as they come in!)

And even though they said it couldn?t happen here, even though
they said it was impossible, it was YOU who made history here in
Indiana by electing Barack Obama as President of the United
States!

With all our races decided by such close margins (some
statehouse candidates won and lost by less than 100 votes!)
there?s no doubt that it was your amazing work that pushed our
worker-friendly candidates over the edge to success! And while
we weren?t able to claim victory in all our races, it was your
tireless efforts phone banking, knocking on doors, sending out
countless mailings, and leafleting at your work-sites that made
the difference, for Barack Obama and that saved our unions and
our families from Right-to-Work for less!

Check out some of these outstanding numbers that prove, it was
YOU that got the job done:

Mail Pieces Sent Out: 3,036,165
Doors Knocked: 577,702
Worksite Contacts: 1,681,673
Phone Calls: 2,708,177

And though your gym shoes may be worn out from going door to
door, your ears sore from phone call after phone call, and your
fingers tired from folding envelope after envelope, you can
sleep soundly tonight knowing that working families in Indiana
have you to thank for protecting our wages, our jobs, and for
turning around America!

Thank you for all your hard work, and again CONGRATULATIONS!

In Solidarity,

Ken Zeller, Indiana AFL-CIO President
Charles Clark, State Director, Indiana Labor 2008

Barack Obama Visits UAW 550 in Election Day Surprise!

Volunteer phone bankers at UAW Local 550 got an election day surprise when Senator Barack Obama decided to drop by to help make a few calls to voters in Indianapolis!

Senator Obama arrived at the union hall at around 11:00 and greeted and shook hands with over 50 excited volunteers. Among them, was Ray Scaggs (UAW Local 550) who said, "The visit was just totally unexpected and such an amazing experience! We got a chance to talk with the Senator and take pictures. I was kind of a nervous wreck when I heard he might be stopping by, but he's really so down to earth. He just fit right with everybody!"

After the Senator said hello, he made his way to the phones, and spent a good half an hour talking to Indianapolis voters and getting out the vote! Said Renda Scaggs of UAW Local 933, " He told us to let him know if we came across any voters who needed persuading, so that he could talk to them himself!"

Keith Neargardener, the Region 3 CAP Chairman noted that he was impressed with the timing of the visit, "You know to make the union hall your last stop before becoming president sends such a great message. It shows how he's not afraid to say the word "union" and to embrace and support unions openly. Its so great to have a candidate with that kind of commitment. We're just looking forward to seeing him as president. I know I can't wait!"

UAW members, along with all working Hoosiers, have suffered some of the hardest financial hits in the nation, and union members across the state are working hard to make sure Barack Obama has the opportunity to turn things around. Says Danny Ernstes of UAW Local 23, "He representst the right kind of change."

Happy Election Day!

Check Out the Video "Rap" Up Here! Happy Election Day! If for some reason you haven't voted already, stop what you are doing immediately and Get to the Polls! Some key things to remember while you're there:   -Do not wear or bring campaign material (union t-shirts are okay as long as they don't mention candidates) to the polls -Bring your I.D. with you! You can find your polling location by visiting: http://www.indianavoters.com/PublicSite/PublicMain.aspx This is it! Today is the day, but thanks to the tireless effort of the men and women of the Indiana labor movement, its YOUR day! It is your hard work that will ensure we protect our statehouse from proponents of Right-to-Work for less, your hard work that will elect Jill Long Thompson as Governor, and your hard work (even when nobody believed it was possible!) that will elect Barack Obama President of the United States!   See what it took to Get us this close! Since Sunday alone, Indiana union members made over 50,000 phone calls to their fellow members to Get Out the Vote! And that's just the tip of the iceberg, on top of months of hard work, passing out leaflets, sending local union mail, hitting the streets on labor walks, and of course, member-to-member phone banking! So while you volunteer to make those finals phone calls, and drive those last few voters to the polls, think about all the hard work, it took to get us so close to victory! Good luck, and remember it's not over until 6pm tonight so make you're doing all you can to get our people to the polls until then!

1 Day Left, Labor 2008 Rap Up!

I’m phone banking all day today and tomorrow!” says Indiana AFL-CIO Secretary/Treasurer Joe Breedlove. “Because every little bit counts, especially when it comes to our statehouse candidates who oppose Right-to-Work for less. We have the power to really make an impact with these candidates especially, because in some cases these races are won and lost with only a handful of votes! With our livelihoods on the line with Right-to-Work for less, and with the nation’s economy in shambles, we need all our union activists taking part in this historic election to turn things around. I’ve been so inspired already by all the volunteers I see, from Gary down to Evansville, who are spending their time away from family and friends to contribute to this election effort. Seeing how much work is going into changing things for the better for union members and working families- I know we’re going to be successful on Election Day. It’s going to take one more day though, of all of us working together to seal the deal!” 

 

“In all my years as President, I have never seen so much activity and so much enthusiasm from all our affiliates, than I do this election year.” Says Ken Zeller, President of the Indiana AFL-CIO. “Since June, union activists have been phone banking, going on labor walks, sending out local union mail, and leafleting at work-sites to make sure that all our union brothers and sisters know the big issues, and know how the candidates stand. And because of that amazing effort, our members  know that when it comes to their pocket books, Barack Obama and Jill Long Thompson are the candidates with strong records for working families. And perhaps more importantly, they know which statehouse candidates they can turn to, to protect them from Right-to-Work for less.

 

We only have one more day to reach out to them and make sure that our members actually make it to the polls to ensure their voices are heard. I’m joining you on the phones today and of course tomorrow. And with your continued dedication-whether it’s on the phones or driving people to the polls- we can make this last GOTV push our strongest yet. A sincere thank you to all you’ve already done this year, but an even bigger thank you for keeping up the hard work all the way through to the end!

With one day left, union members have the power to make it happen here in Indiana- so for our jobs, our homes, our health, and our futures- Let’s Get the Job Done!”

 

Daily Union Spotlight: Building Trades!

Executive Director of the Indiana State Buidling Trades, Ben Ramsey

Executive Director of the Indiana State Building Trades, Ben Ramsey, says that the stakes are high for Building Trades Members this election, which is why all Building and Construction Affiliates are working hard to turn things around here in Indiana and for the nation!

“All our members are feeling the effects of the slowed national economy. And it hasn’t helped having a Governor who doesn’t support unions and who does support privatization efforts. All Building Trades affiliates are working hard to spread the message for worker-friendly candidates, whether its at the statehouse level to make sure we fight against Right-to-Work for less, for Jill Long Thompson, or Barack Obama. We’re making sure that our livelihoods are protected, and that the next generation of Building and Construction Trades Members have a lot to look forward to.” 

Check out all the BCT affiliates taking action this election season and Getting Out the Vote for working families!

Dale Johnson (BAC Local 4)

BAC
Dale Johnsen, field representative for BAC Local 4, is making sure that his 4,000 fellow BAC members know all the facts when it comes to the Presidential, Gubernatorial, and statehouse candidates this year!
"We've put out four mailings so far in the month of October alone, and we're getting ready to do the last one for that final push. We've also been participating in labor walks for all our union friendly candidates, including statehouse candidates like Shelli VanDenburgh and Myron Sutton, Jill Long Thompson and of course Barack Obama. With only 11 days left to go here, we've got so much still left to do. We've done the hard work of making sure our union members are informed, and now we've got to make sure they get out to the polls!"

Check Out the Bricklayers in Action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/10/dale-johnson-field-representative-for-bac-local-4-is-making-sure-that-his-4000-fellow-bac-members-know-all-the-facts-when.html

IBEW Local 481 Walks for Mary Ann Sutton (HD-19)

IBEW
For IBEW Local 697's Randy Palmateer, getting out the vote these last few days along with the months of hard work, leafleting at work-sites like the BP Amoco Plant in Hammond, and knocking on doors across Northwest, Indiana, is paramount to creating a stronger union movement for all working people.  "Getting out here and making sure our union members know the facts and get out to vote is so important to these elections, but also to the labor movement itself. We have the opportunity to be such a powerful force in this country and when we all do our part, working families across Indiana and our nation will reap the benefits

Check Out IBEW in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/11/daily-union-spotight-ibew.html

Paul Maday (IBB Local 372)

IBB

In order to spread the message, Business Manager of IBB Local 372, Paul Maday, is reaching out to his fellow union members and arming them with the facts this year,

"We are sending information on Barack Obama's record for working families through local union mail so our members are aware of how he stands on important issues that affect their pocketbooks, like the Employee Free Choice Act. And we're also reaching out to union members outside of our local through labor walks and member-to-member phone banking. With Obama in office, union members and all working people will be  able to count on a President who supports the rights of every worker to collectively bargain, and who stands up for the middle class.”

Check out IBB in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/09/labor-leader--3.html

Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers

(From Left) Andy Colbert, Rich Downs, Dave Price (Heat & Frost Insulators & Allied Workers

Dave Price of Insulators Local 18 expresses his motivations for taking part in GOTV in the final days of the campaign, "We need to keep Indiana from becoming a Right-to-Work state and we've been letting people know that candidates like John Barnes (HD-89) are going to stand up with us on that important issue. It's exciting to see so many people involved this year, its really different from any years past really. We're phone banking here at the CLC and also out of our own hall to see if anyone needs rides to the polls and to make sure our members have the information they need to make an educated decision on election day. I think we're going to turn Indiana blue!"

http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/10/members-of-awiu-heat-and-frost-insulators-local-18-come-straight-from-work-to-phone-bank-every-evening-as-part-of-the-hug.html

Mike Summers BM Ironworkers Local 395

Ironworkers
Mike Summers, the Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 395 is busy hosting member-to-member phone banks to Get Out the Vote for Barack Obama, Jill Long Thompson, and statehouse candidates Myron Sutton (HD-15) and Shelli VanDenburgh
(HD-19). “We’re concerned with all the major races this year, but we’re particularly focused on making sure our state is never in a position where Right-to-Work can be passed into law, and so we’re protecting our statehouse candidates like Myron and Shelli, who oppose the deceptively titled legislation.” Brother Summers spoke passionately about anti-worker initiatives like Right-to-Work for less, saying they are “completely detrimental to union wages- to middle class wages in general. We’ve seen how Right-to-Work laws adversely affect union density, safety, health care benefits, etc. Especially in financial times like these, we just can not afford to make things worse like that.”

Check out the Ironworkers in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/11/daily-union-spotlight-ironworkers.html

 

Joe Albertson (IUEC Local 34)

IUEC
When it comes to member-to-member contact this election, Joe Albertson of IUEC Local 34 proves the old adage, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Though Local 34 is not only of the largest locals in Indiana, Brother Albertson is making sure it does more than its fair share when it comes to spreading the word on Barack Obama this year.

Brother Albertson explains why his members are getting so active this year,
“We’re a small local- roughly 170 members. So a lot of things we have to tackle a lot stronger than some of the bigger locals because we’re such a small amount. But we make sure to get the message out to our members by passing out information leaflets through the mail and at the work-sites!

Check out IUEC in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/08/in-labor-lead-1.html

 

(From left) Angela Higgins, Rhonda Oakley, Kathy Wilson (IUOE Local 181)

IUOE
"When it comes to phone banking, members of IUOE Local 181 know how to get the job done!" says frequent phone bank participant, Angela Higgins (IUOE Local 181). Sister Higgins and the "Smooth Operators" from Local 181  are teaming up with their fellow CLC affiliates including AFSCME, Roofers, UA, and USW, making calls from the Evansville Labor Temple to get the word out to union families about candidates like Jill Long Thompson and Barack Obama, who will stand up for Hoosier working families!
"We're in the midst of an economic crisis here in Indiana" says Rhonda Oakley (IUOE Local 181) who sped through pages of phone lists this week. "And we need to elect candidates like Barack Obama and Jill Long Thompson who will lead us out of this economic disaster and protect good, union jobs here in the state. It's up to us to make sure our union brothers and sisters know the facts and get out the vote!"

Check Out Members of IUOE in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/10/when-it-comes-t.html

(From Left) Kelly West, (IUPAT DC 91) Sylvester Cooper (IUPAT Local 47), and Ron Zell (IUPAT DC 91)

IUPAT
Johnny Alderman of IUPAT DC 91 is  busy wearing in his walking shoes going door to door to union members' households. Brother Alderman says that he's making sure when it comes to the Indiana statehouse races, his fellow members know which candidates will oppose the Right-to-Work Rip off. "There are people in the statehouse who would like nothing better than to sign this dangerous legislation into law and destroy unions. So we're out here fighting for our survival. We can't fight them with money- the only way we can get the job done is with our boots on the ground!"

Check out IUPAT in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/11/daily-union-spotlight-iupat.html

Russell Redmon (OP & CMIA local 692) passes out leafets for Obama!

OP & CMIA
Thanks to the efforts of Pat Hansen and his brothers and sisters of OP & CMIA Local 692, working families are one step closer to ensuring a worker-friendly majority in the Indiana statehouse, “ We sent out local union mail pieces several times this month, including one more this week to make sure our members are informed on which statehouse candidates will oppose Right-to-Work for less. I think that our members get how dangerous these laws would be and know that if they want to keep their wages and benefits they’ll vote for the people who oppose the laws. But its our job to make sure they know who’s who and to make sure they Get Out the Vote this year!

Check Out OP & CMIA in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/10/click-here-to-see-the-video-business-manager-of-op-cmia-local-692-pat-hansen-gets-out-the-vote-through-l.html

Karen Mercer and Don O'Blenis (Roofers Local 119)

Roofers

Don O’Blenis, President of the Indiana State BCTC and Business Manager of Roofers Local 23 says, “This is such an historic election for many reasons, but especially because Indiana is in a position to impact the national elections and elect Barack Obama. Union members can make a huge difference in the race and ensure that unions, and the entire middle class is protected from corporate economic policies like Right-to-Work for less. " Karen Mercer, President of Roofers Local 119 says, "We're making sure our members know how the candidates stand on issues, whether its the presidential, gubernatorial, or statehouse races, and get out to vote!"

 

Jim Sheetz (UA Local 172)

UA
Jim Sheetz, Business Manager of UA Local 172 and President of the South Bend Building and Construction Trades  is helping to Get Out the Vote by hosting member-to-member phone banks out of the South Bend BCT Hall! “We’re doing everything we can to make sure our people get to the polls, and vote!  We haven’t stopped working since June, and we don’t intend to quit until the job gets done!”

Check out UA in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/08/in-local-union.html

 

(From Left) Kyle Smith, Blaise Ginter, Joe McIntosh, Nathan Pittman, Political Director of the IN AFL-CIO Steve Henderson, Mike McCaffe, and Lyndal Tipton (SMWIA Local 20) send out hundreds of informational mailings to members!

SMWIA
We know that the stakes are high this election" says Business Manager of SMWIA Local 20, Jay Potesta. "If we loose the majority in the statehouse, we'll be facing Right-to-Work in no time, so we're working hard to make sure that doesn't happen, and that all union members and all working people in Indiana are protected. As part of our youth-to-youth program, we have several of our apprentices on full release, spreading the word for our worker-friendly statehouse candidates, as well as Jill Long Thompson, and Barack Obama! And with all the amazing work that's going on across the state I'm really optimistic. I think we're seeing a GOTV effort in Indiana like never before, and that we're going to be successful on the 4th!!"

Check out SMWIA in action by visiting:
http://labor2008.typepad.com/in/2008/11/daily-union-spotlight-smwia.html

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Daily Union Spotlight: IUPAT

Click Here to see the Video! (Right) Kelly West (IUPAT DC 91)

Members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades are rocking out this Labor 2008 election by getting the word out using the core Labor 2008 components! As business representative of IUPAT Larry Harringer said after over 20 IUPAT members went walking in Eastern Indianapolis, "We've got a big job ahead of us. Even though we've only got a little time left, we can't let ourselves slow down!" Check out the ways IUPAT isn't slowing down:


Labor Walking:

"We're going door-to-door, visiting with our union brothers and sisters in person so that they know the facts about the candidates and how they stand on all the important issues." says Kelly West of IUPAT DC 91. Sister West is released to work for Labor 2008 and is tirelessly pouring all her energy into getting out the vote! Says Sister West, "We've been especially focused on the Indiana state house, and supporting our candidates who oppose the Right-to-Work Rip-off. We've also been getting out the message for Jill Long Thompson and Barack Obama, letting our members know what a disaster 4 more years of Daniels and

Click Here for the Video Interview! Johnny Alderman (IUPAT DC 91)

McCain would be." Along with going door-to-door on labor walks, Sister West is busy every day stuffing envelopes for local union mail, or handling the member-to-member phone banks at the Central Indiana CLC. She says, "It can be a hard job, but we know our work makes a difference- and with these elections we can't afford not to."

Johnny Alderman of IUPAT DC 91 is also busy wearing in his walking shoes going door to door to union members' households. Brother Alderman says that he's making sure when it comes to the Indiana statehouse races, his fellow members know which candidates will oppose the Right-to-Work Rip off. "There are people in the statehouse who would like nothing better than to sign this dangerous legislation into law and destroy unions. So we're out here fighting for our survival. We can't fight them with money- the only way we can get the job done is with our boots on the ground!"

Click Here to see the Great Footage!

Work-Site Leafleting:

Jere Hershey of IUPAT DC 91 is making sure that his brothers and sisters from Evansville to Indianapolis are informed on all the facts when it comes to all the union-friendly candidates, including Barack Obama, because he says, "We simply can't afford four years of John McCain- It would just be more of the same."
Brother Hershey is leafleting plant sites, making sure to reach out to his fellow members one-on-one  so they know how important the elections are, and he's also going door-to-door on labor walks to make sure and get another chance to spread the word face-to-face. "With an election this big, this important, we need to make sure we do everything possible to educate, and then mobilize our union voters! 
  
Along with getting out the vote in other regions across the state, IUPAT members are hosting phone banks in Merrillville every Wednesday and Saturday until November 4th! Be sure to help get out volunteers for these phone banks and any other walks you (details found below). And finally, thank you to the members of IUPAT for every thing they do to make sure the pocketbooks of working families are protected this year. Keep up the amazing work, Rock On!

Daily Union Spotlight: SMWIA

(From Left) SMWIA Local 20 Business Manager, Jay Potesta, Rep. Vern Tincher (HD-46), and Mike Jones (SMWIA Local 20)

"We know that the stakes are high this election" says Business Manager of SMWIA Local 20, Jay Potesta. "If we loose the majority in the statehouse, we'll be facing Right-to-Work in no time, so we're working hard to make sure that doesn't happen, and that all union members and all working people in Indiana are protected. As part of our youth-to-youth program, we have several of our apprentices on full release, spreading the word for our worker-friendly statehouse candidates, as well as Jill Long Thompson, and Barack Obama! And with all the amazing work that's going on across the state I'm really optimistic. I think we're seeing a GOTV effort in Indiana like never before, and that we're going to be successful on the 4th!!"

SMWIA release staff in Indianapolis are working tirelessly to Get Out the Vote for all our worker-friendly candidates by sending out thousands of local union mail pieces, calling fellow union members on the phones, and going door-to-door to union members' households.

(From Left) Kyle Smith, Blaise Ginter, Joe McIntosh, Nathan Pittman, Political Director of the IN AFL-CIO Steve Henderson, Mike McCaffe, and Lyndal Tipton (SMWIA Local 20) Click Here to see the Video! (From Left) Dan Banaki (SMWIA Local 20), John Quinn (SMWIA Local 20), and Carlos Delgado (SMWIA Local 20)

"This is my first time really getting into political action, and I'm really enjoying being a part of the whole process" says SMWIA release staff Nate Pittman. "We know what's at stake for our futures, and the futures of our families." says release staff Joe McIntosh, "We know that under a John McCain and Mitch Daniels administration things that we can count on now like common wage and prevailing wage would be threatened."

“My Barack Obama yard sign is in a war with my neighbor’s John McCain yard sign,” jokes release staff  Joe McAffe (SMWIA).” Every day they stare each other down, face to face. But other than his yard sign, I don’t think my neighbor has really done anything to spread John McCain’s message around. Meanwhile, I must have made thousands of phone calls by now, getting the word out for Obama. That’s what I’ll be thinking about these last few days as we call our lists and get ready for the big day-the fact that we’re making things happen while my neighbor’s efforts are summed up in one measly sign.”

SMWIA members in South Bend like John Quinn, are making sure to get the word out at the work-sites, by passing out informational leaflets on candidates to fellow union members. Says Brother Quinn, "We know what we're up against with Daniels and McCain. Both candidates haven't been shy about sharing their anti-union, anti-worker feelings. We're out here making sure that we elect candidates like Jill Long Thompson and Barack Obama who will actually stand up for working families and the middle class."

Click Here to see the Video! (FromLeft) Sam McGee and Travis Mangun (SMWIA Local 20)

SMWIA Release Staff in Bloomington are working hard to Get Out the Vote through the phones and on labor walks too. Says SMWIA release staff Sam McGee, “ Right-to-Work for less would lower wages for all workers in the state, and put our pensions in jeopardy- it would just be bad for working people in Indiana. And with the economy the way it is now-with so many plants closing here in Bloomington- we have to elect representives like Jill Long Thompson and Barack Obama who will fight to keep jobs here in Indiana. ”

"We're  sending out local union mail, including informational fliers from the working families toolkit, we're making phone calls non-stop, we're doing everything we can to Get Out the Vote! And I really think its making the difference here in Bloomington and across the state." Says SMWIA release staff, Travis Mangin."

Way to go SMWIA! Keep up all the great work!

Daily Union Spotight: IBEW

Check out Mary Ann Sullivan (HD-97) thanking IBEW for walking! IBEW Local 481 after a labor walk for Mary Ann Sullivan (HD-97)   David Rumkorff (IBEW Local 481) Check out the Video Interview Here! Todd Thacker (IBEW Local 725)

Whether it's work-site leafleting for Jill Long Thompson and Barack Obama, or hitting streets on labor walks for statehouse candidates who oppose Right-to-Work for less, the members of IBEW know how to get out the vote this year for working families! Says David Rumkorff of IBEW Local 481 who has been stuffing and labeling envelopes all week to be sent out as local union mail, "This is such an important election. We've really got an opportunity to turn around our country by electing Barack Obama, and for Hoosiers especially to make sure we keep our statehouse free from those who support Right-to-Work for less. And it takes all of us walking, knocking, and even stuffing and labeling, to make sure we get the job done!"

Check out the Video Interview Here!   Randy Palmateer (IBEW Local 697)

Though getting out the vote can be fun at times, everyone knows it takes hard work and perserverence to keep up a strong momentum through to the end. But for IBEW Local 21's Dennis McCafferty, knowing that his efforts will end up buiding a better future for his daughter, is all the motivation he needs to get the lead out and make the difference, "It can be rough at times, having to work during the day and then spending time away from your family to make sure we're getting this message out for Barack , Jill, and our statehouse candidates. But I know that with us knocking on doors, and making the phone calls, we're really going to change things for ourselves, but more importantly for our kids. We're going to make sure that they have good jobs to look forward to." Check Out Brother McCafferty's Video Interview HERE!

And for IBEW Local 697's Randy Palmateer, getting out the vote these last few days along with the months of hard work, leafleting at work-sites like the BP Amoco Plant in Hammond, and knocking on doors across Northwest, Indiana, is paramount to creating a stronger union movement for all working people.  "Getting out here and making sure our union members know the facts and get out to vote is so important to these elections, but also to the labor movement itself. We have the opportunity to be such a powerful force in this country and if we all do our part, working families across Indiana and our nation will reap the benefits." Check out brother Palmateer's Video Interview Here!

Indiana Anderson and the Final GOTV Push!

Our heros, Labor 2008 Coordinators Herb "Indiana" Anderson (USW) and Amy Sutcliffe (APWU)  fight to beat the clock- and some avid Colts fans- to Get Out the Vote in the final 3 days!

 

Daily Union Spotlight: Ironworkers!

Click Here to see the Video Interview! Mike Summers, Business Manager, Ironworkers Local 395

Members of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, more commonly referred to simply as Ironworkers, are very focused on electing worker-friendly candidates to all levels of government and are making sure to spread the word on the phones, through the mail, at the work-sites, and at the door steps. 

Phone Banking
Mike Summers, the Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 395 is busy hosting member-to-member phone banks to Get Out the Vote for Barack Obama, Jill Long Thompson, and statehouse candidates Myron Sutton (HD-15) and Shelli VanDenburgh
(HD-19). “We’re concerned with all the major races this year, but we’re particularly focused on making sure our state is never in a position where Right-to-Work can be passed into law, and so we’re protecting our statehouse candidates like Myron and Shelli, who oppose the deceptively titled legislation.” Brother Summers spoke passionately about anti-worker initiatives like Right-to-Work for less, saying they are “completely detrimental to union wages- to middle class wages in general. We’ve seen how Right-to-Work laws adversely affect union density, safety, health care benefits, etc. Especially in financial times like these, we just can not afford to make things worse like that.”

Work-site leafleting, Local Union Mail

Click Here to See the Video!   Robert Kara, Business Manager for Ironworkers Local 292

Robert Kara, Business Manager for Ironworkers local 292 is very busy ordering his last informational fliers for worker-friendly candidates off  of the Working Families Toolkit, in order to send through the mail and to pass out at  work-sites. “I really think that having this information come directly from our local really makes the difference to our members. They respond to a fellow union member, a fellow co-worker coming up letting them know the truth. And our members really count on us to give them the facts.  We know from the energy and excitement that’s already out there that we’re making the difference and I think if we keep it up we’ll see victory on November 4th!”

Labor Walks

Click Here to See the Music Video!  Jeff Chidester, Business Agent for Ironworkers Local 395

“We really need to get the message across to let them know who the good guys and bad guys are when it comes to union members and union families” says Jeff Chidester, Business Agent for Ironworkers local 395. Brother Chidester is busy walking, knocking, and talking (sometimes to music!) across Northwest Indiana, to spread the word on Barack Obama, Jill Long Thompson and statehouse candidates who oppose Right-to-Work for less. He continues, “There are still so many undecided or unmotivated voters who just need an extra push to the polls- and because of the union connection- we’re the ones with the information and the credibility to get them out to vote. We’re making sure to pull a big finish here in these last few days, going through our phone lists, driving people to the polls. I’m really looking forward to election day- I think we’re going to see all our hard work pay off!