Maine AFL-CIO -- Labor 2008 Blog

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Central Labor Council Officers on the Significance of This Election

Dan Lawson, USW Local 261; Sarah Bigney, Maine Fair Trade Campaign

The labor movement played a vital role in this election. Hear some of the reactions from CLC officers and union volunteers.

Peter Kellman, President of the Southern Maine Labor Council attributes our victory in this election to: "Hope, nothing happens without hope."

Don Berry, President of the Western Maine Central Labor Council says: "I watched Obama's speech on election night with many of my union brothers and sisters and was fortunate enough to share that moment with one woman who is African American. I was really struck by the sense of pride and excitement she showed and believe that the significance of that night was really captured in her reaction. I also realized that our achievement as a country in this election will continue to mean so much for so many different groups of people. Our success on November 4th gives all of us something to be proud of."

Charlie Conley, President of the Central Maine Labor Council says: "It's time for us to bring democracy back to the workplace by passing the Employee Free Choice Act. This is our chance to strengthen unions and restore the middle class."

Peter Kellman, UAW Local 1981

Jack McKay, President of the Eastern Maine Labor Council explains: "I fist got active in my union when I was a school teacher. I didn't like how the local was being run so I got involved and got active. Things weren't much different in this election. Workers didn't like how Bush was running this country so workers stood up and made their voices heard."

Richard Deering, IBEW Local 567 says: "Barack Obama will definitely address the concerns of working Americans and union members who are experiencing hard times as a result of the Bush administration. Local 567 is planning on working as hard on getting the Employee Free Choice Act passed as it did on the election."

Don Parks, APWU Local 458 explains: "The best thing we could do for working families at this point in time was to elect leaders like Barack Obama, Chellie Pingree, and Mike Michuad. Now it's time to make sure they deliver for working families."

Zack Matthews, AFSCME Council 93

Gary Hemingway, USW Local 900 says: "Workers realized that this country needed change and thanks to the labor movement across the country we are now one step closer."

Allan Shepard, IBEW Local 567 says: "The work we did in this election and the work we will do in the future is about making sure an employee's rights are protected."

Statewide Union Leaders: What it Took for Us to Win

MSEA-SEIU Members: Maygan Hardison, Nick Galipeau, Subira Gordon, Tom Wellman (Left to Right)

I can't say how nice it is to talk about this election in the past tense. But even more important is the fact that we can talk about what it was like to win the election. Like many other Americans, there are few experiences in my lifetime that compare in significance to what we were just a part of.

I imagine that this is the type of event that you react to in stages. Initially, everyone is excited and relieved to know that all our hard work paid off. And over time it will sink in what a meaningful and consequential time we are living in. Finally, I expect that when this election is just one memory in the midst of a lifetime of memories, its importance will remain salient. We can look forward to sharing these memories with our children and grandchildren so that they can realize the part we played in all of this.

Read about how working men and women in Maine feel about the outcome of this election:

Don Parks, APWU Local 458

Ed Gorham, President of the Maine AFL-CIO says: "Our opportunity to make an historic change in this country was realized thanks to the hard work of union members all across the state."

Bruce Roy, Secretary Treasurer of the Maine AFL-CIO believes: "In terms of the election, you have to view it as a big victory for working families in general – not just the labor movement. We staked our claim to restore the middle class, and now we have to follow through. We have to hold the new administration and Congress accountable."

John Evans, IRON Local 7 says: "This election is proof that if you get out there and work hard for what you believe in, each one of us can make a huge difference. Working together, there is not limit to what we can get done."

Don Bilodeau, IAM Local S6 explains: "This election was extremely important to working families in this country. We now have a chance to bring back the things that the Bush administration got rid of. We are going to bring back the Department of Labor, we are going to bring back the jobs that got shipped over seas, and we are going to make sure workers are respected in their workplace when it comes to trying to form a union. That is why we need to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and make sure we hold the newly elected officials accountable."

IAM Local S6 Members: Rich Nolan and Don Bilodeau (Left to Right)

Dave Schofield, Metal Trades Council believes: "Workers can now say that there are people in Washington that they can turn to and that will listen to their concerns."

Peggy Bogart, APWU Local 458 explains: "My husband and I talk about how amazing it is that we could elect a pro-worker president and give him a working majority in the Congress. Already, Obama is taking our issues very seriously. He is not wasting anytime and I am hopeful that together we're going to be able to make a difference for the working families in this country."

Charlie Finn IAM Local S6 says: "Now that the election is over, this is our last chance to get things right. All the issues that are important to working men and women need to get addressed. The labor movement did a great job in this election and now it's time to follow through."

Jim Carson, IBT Local 340 says: "Now that we elected a pro-worker president and have a working majority in the Congress, it is time for us to make the changes necessary to get the economy back on the move again and to create more good high paying union jobs."

Dan Lawson, USW Local 261

Cynthia Phinney, IBEW Local 1837 says: "Now that we have a chance to get it passed, the Employee Free Choice Act is going to restore some balance and equity to the situation for workers in our country who want to form a union in their workplace."

Dan Lawson, USW Local 261 explains: "I come from a union family, and I've realized over the years just what being in a union means. It means fair pay, it means being treated with respect and dignity, and at the end of your career it means being able to retire with dignity. Every worker in this country should be able to get these same benefits if these choose to."

John Carr, President of the Maine Alliance for Retired Americans says: "This election is a major plus for seniors because we took a step in the right direction for getting Social Security and Medicare squared away. I believe we can get a lot of things done with Obama in the White House, and it's up to us to make our voices heard."

Historic Victories - It's just What We Do in the Labor Movement

Anyone who doubts the capacity of the labor movement to deliver in an election will probably never hold public office. Working men and women have a tested record, and proved it once again in this election.

Together we elected Barack Obama as President of the United States; we elected Chellie Pingree to the Congress and reelected Representative Mike Michaud. Although Tom Allen didn't win his race, union members know that this election was still a prolific achievement for Maine working families.

We cannot consider any victory a half victory because we are on the right track. The progress we are making is unprecedented, and will continue as long as we keep our resolve to better this country.

Maine will play an essential role in shaping the future policies in Washington. The progress we made in this election will help us pass the Employee Free Choice Act, establish a universal health care system, fix the economy, and create new jobs here in Maine. But we must hold all the newly elected candidates in this country accountable because working men and women are not content with inaction.

Our opportunity to turn this country around is now. The stakes were never higher and the potential never greater. This country took a step in the right direction yesterday, and we are ready to assure our contribution to the next generation.

In Solidarity,

Edward Gorham, Maine AFL-CIO President

Matt Schlobohm, Maine AFL-CIO Political Director

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The Final Video

This video will make you laugh, cry, and jump for joy. You are the inspiration, so enjoy the final installment into the Labor 2008 series.

Election Day Spotlight – Maine Working Families

Peggy Bogart, APWU Local 458

Since the beginning of this campaign union members were recognized in these e-mails for their commitment to the labor movement and their support of the Labor 2008 program. To get a sense of what motivated union members to play such an active role in this election, it's important to hear directly from them.

This is what union members said. (Keep in mind, the same time constraints from the second presidential debate were applied to the following responses.)

Peggy Bogart, APWU Local 458 says: "This country needs someone to inspire the next generation."

Peter Kellman, UAW Local 1981 believes: "The issue is hope. Nothing happens without hope."

Peter Kellman, UAW Local 1981

Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President says: "Good jobs. Good union jobs."

Jeff Arsenault, AFSCME Local 2968 explains: "I work with at risk youth in the Department of Corrections and children are our future."

Ann Mussenden, CWA Local 1400 says: "I have children in the workforce. I have two grandchildren. The cost of health care is so prohibitive that none of them can afford it. That's a huge issue."

Chris Teret, IBEW Local 567 says: "Investment in renewable energy and green jobs."

Terry Stapleton, AWPU Secretary Treasurer

Terry Stapleton, APWU Secretary Treasurer explains: "For the first time in history, because of the economic downturn, postal workers face the possibility of layoffs. We need strong leadership – people who understand the economy, how to fix it, and how to make it better for working people. That person is Barack Obama."

Tony Monfiletto, IAM Local S6 says: "The important issue to me is the Employee Free Choice Act."

Steve Quinlan, APWU Local 458 says: "Health care for all Americans."

 Suzanne Crowell, AFSCME Local 2968 explains: "I want to change this country's priorities from top to bottom."

Bruce Roy, USW Local 11 says: "We're losing jobs around the state of Maine. We need to create an economy that works for all working families in the United States, not just a select few."

Jeff Arsenault, AFSCME Local 2968

John Riley, President of APWU Local 458 explains: "This is about taking back America from corporate greed."

John Bogart, APWU Local 458 says: "I'd like to see more good paying union jobs brought back to the United States."

Ed Gorham, President of the Maine AFL-CIO says: "Jobs."

John Newton, AFGE Local 948 says: "I work for OSHA, and I believe that workers should be safer in their workplace. This should be a priority."

Don Parks, APWU Local 458 says: "This election is about compassion for all Americans. We're all in this together."

Let's turn this country around today brothers and sisters.

Daily Union Spotlight – Maine AFL-CIO

 

Ed Gorham, President of the Maine AFL-CIO

The Maine AFL-CIO utilized the Labor 2008 program and was therefore able to help unions across the state reach their members and build a coalition to get the vote out on November 4th.

Ed Gorham, President of the Maine AFL-CIO says: "We experienced great luck and success with our members so far with respect to the Labor 2008 program – with our phone calls to the members, local union mailings, labor walks, and worksite leaflets. We were able to layer one contact after another so that our members get the message about the importance of this election."

Every union member that goes to the polls will find themselves better prepared to vote as a result of the phone banks, labor walks, local union mail, and worksite leaflets.

This election will mean everything to keeping our unions strong. Gorham explains: "It was easy for me to get into the union because of a long family history in the labor movement. I feel an obligation to do something to make sure that I can pass the same opportunity onto my children and they can pass it onto theirs."

Gorham says: "We have an opportunity to put together a responsible House and a responsible Senate with a pro-worker president. This will give us as workers the chance to bring back the middle class in this country."

Gorham continues: "We have an opportunity to level the playing field once and for all in this country and to bring back the kind of things that worker always looked to unions to bring to them, wages, good working conditions, benefits, and time off."

It's time to finish the job we started and make sure working families in Maine lead this country in a new direction. Get out and vote.

Daily Union Spotlight – Maine Building Trades

 

John Hanson, Building Trades

John Hanson, Executive Director of the Maine Building and Construction Trades Council will tell you first-hand how much effort the Building Trades unions put into this election.

Hanson explains: "The Building Trades were at the phone banks, they were at the walks, they sent out local union mail, they handed out worksite leaflets, and they will get out the vote on November 4th.

One candidate Hanson strongly believes in is Tom Allen. He says: "On every issue working families in the state of Maine are concerned about, Tom Allen's answer is 'yes'."

Hanson continues: "When Building and Construction Trades members addressed the issue of worker misclassification Tom Allen stood by workers and their families and fought against the underground economy."

Hanson explains: "Tom Allen is on the side of working families. He has a labor voting record of 98 percent and now we have a real opportunity to give him an even bigger role in the U.S. Senate once again defending and protecting working men and women in Maine."

Hanson talks about why we need to keep our unions strong: "The labor movement is the one instrumentality in our country that stands up for working men and women in our state and throughout our nation."

Whether it was an IBT Phone bank, Iron Workers on a labor walk, IBEW sending out local union mail, or IUPAT worksite leafleting, Building Trades is standing up for the future of the labor movement.

It's time to win this election so we can keep our unions strong.

Maine Workers Hopeful for Tom Allen Comeback

Dan Lawson, USW Local 261

We can elect Tom Allen to the U.S. Senate. (Awkward pause) That's right, you read the last sentence correctly, and to tell you the truth, I'm really fed up with every naysayer out there that says this thing is over. We might have a tough race on our hands, but do not underestimate the labor movement's power to change an election. The middle class will always hold sway over close elections, and the Allen-Collins race is no exception. If we talk to our fellow union members, friends, and family and prove to them why Tom Allen is the only choice for working families, we can come back to win this race.

Union members from IBEW, IBT, MSEA-SEIU, and USW along with the Maine Fair Trade Campaign are working tirelessly to get the message out that Tom Allen is right on the issues concerning the middle class. Together, they pointed out how Susan Collins' inability to take a stance against the Columbia Free Trade Agreement will inevitably cost more Maine working families their jobs and allow for the continued exploitation of workers abroad. Tom Allen opposes the Columbia Free Trade Agreement because he believes that Maine jobs are more important than corporate profits. Watch union members and MFTC talk about the truth behind the Columbian Free Trade Agreement here.

Daily Union Spotlight – Eastern Maine Labor Council

 

Jack McKay, President of the Eastern Maine Labor Coucil

Jack McKay is President of the Eastern Maine Labor Council and President of UNITE HERE Local 486 and knows how important this election is to working families in Maine. McKay believes we need to do everything possible to make the difference in this campaign, and as a result, he is hosting Labor 2008 activities nonstop from the EMLC.

McKay says: "I fist got active in my union when I was a school teacher. I didn't like how the local was being run so I got involved and got active."

McKay explains: "Things aren't much different when it comes to this election. Workers need to have a voice in this country, and in order to get one, we all need to be active and stand up for what we believe in."

McKay continues: "Today what we're seeing is that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, and the only thing that stands to protect the middle class is unions."  

The candidates in the U.S. Senate race here in Maine have very clear records when it comes to standing up for union members. McKay says: "When the DHL workers were fired for forming a union those workers asked Senator Collins to stand with them and she didn't. She ignored them. Congressman Tom Allen came up and walked on the picket line back in 2005 and stood up with those workers."

McKay adds: "Susan Collins is also misrepresenting the Employee Free Choice Act which would only make it easier for workers to form unions. Tom Allen is standing up for that bill because he believes in an employee's right to have a voice at their workplace."

McKay believes: "This election is so important to the labor movement so everyone needs to volunteer a little bit of their time. Talk to some co-workers, hand out worksite leaflets, go on the labor walks, and make calls to your fellow union members. This is our country we're talking about so it really matters."

There is no time left to think about volunteering. Whether it's you first time or your fiftieth – get done what needs to be done. We are ready to turn this country around.

Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive VP Leafleting in Maine

Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President

Only 4 days now. We are so close, and once we get through these next couple of days we will elect Barack Obama as this country's next President. It almost seems too good to be true, but your hard work made it possible.

Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President was recently in Maine, and acknowledged all of the hard work union members are doing in the state. She says: "There is no doubt we can win this election if all of us together, all of us united as Labor 2008 committed to the same goal, continue to work right up until that last ballot is counted."

While in Maine, Holt Baker also participated in a worksite leaflet at a hospital facility in Augusta. Holt Baker explained: "I'm here in Maine with my union sisters and brothers leafleting and talking with union members about the importance of this election." She continues: "We need to make sure that everyone knows what is at stake in this election. Certainly people can see that this economy is not working for working people, so we must change the direction of this country and turn it around."

Holt Baker says: "In the labor movement, what works is when we get out and talk to our members in person about the issues concerning them, and talk about where the candidates stand on those issues."