New Hampshire AFL-CIO -- Labor 2008 Blog

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

Jess Clark, AFT, speaks at the New Hampshire AFL-CIO coordinator meeting Click to Watch Video

Members of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO made a presentation last week which was used to educate people on Barack Obama and his policies. Tom Callahan, NATCA, opened the meeting by saying, "It's my job tonight to talk to you and introduce you to Barack Obama. I think the most important question any of us can ask about the candidate we're going to vote for in November is: is this a person I can believe in".

The meeting became very powerful when members of the audience started interacting with the speaker and in some cases getting up and saying what was on their mind. Kevin Cash, IBEW, got up from his seat and made a very compelling comparison between the voting records of Obama and McCain. "Compare McCain to Obama on working class issues. What is the percentage McCain has voted for working class families? 13 percent! What about Obama? 98 percent!"

Another audience member that made a contribution to this open discussion comparing McCain to Obama was John Mendolusky, ARA. Mendolusky explained McCain's voting record on senior's issues. "Last year, ten issues of real big importance for seniors, McCain was absent five times and voted against seniors the other five times. His accomplishments in the senate are this: he's establishing the worst absenteeism record in the history of the United States Senate!"

Jess Clark, AFT, ended the meeting on an optimistic note when she said "I think that now is the time that we can change New Hampshire and achieve the American dream for our members and for our kids. I think this is our opportunity to make our contribution to the labor movement, I really do".

RELEASE STAFF - GEORGE GRIFFEN, USW LOCAL 8566

George Griffen, USW Local 8566 Click to Watch Video

"We have a lot on the table with the election coming up. President Bush and his anti-worker allies have been in control too long" says George Griffen, USW Local 8566.

Griffen believes that in order to overcome the challenges working men and women are facing, union members to need to come together in an effort to change the direction of this country and pass legislation like the Employee Free Choice Act.

Healthcare is one issue Griffen highlights because of its profound importance to the subsistence of working American's and their families. Griffen says that the issue of healthcare is always on the bargaining table and that working American's deserve nothing less than strictly guaranteed security for their health benefits.

Griffen believes that a better country for all American's can be achieved through a coalition of both union and non-union members working together. According to Griffen, the key to a successful campaign in this election is based on member communication, and voters making informed decisions. Griffen is confident that if people come together and present a clear message, we can inspire the activism that will give working men and women the chance to take back this country.

LOCAL UNION SPOTLIGHT - IBEW 104

Joe Howard, IBEW 490 (Right), greets a union member at his door in Rochester, NH Click to Watch Video

The labor walk in Rochester, New Hampshire, hosted by IBEW Local 104, drew its success from the tireless workers who spent their afternoons going from door to door speaking with fellow union members about the importance of this election.

Joe Howard, IBEW Local 490 explains why he participated in this labor walk. "I am going on a labor to labor walk today to educate out members on the importance of voting in this election for Barack Obama". Howard believes that "Barack is going to continue to strengthen unions and allow us to have a voice in the workplace".

Tom Casey, IUPAT District 35 talks about why he came out to take part in this labor walk. "I'm here to go on this labor walk because I think this election is so critical, not just for union members, not just for working people; it is important for the future of the United States of America".

In summation, the response from the community in regards to this labor walk was one of pleasant reception and responsiveness. The union members that spoke with the walkers proved to be intelligent and aware of the issues. Reinforcement of the issues and an open dialogue between members will undoubtedly lead to the success of the labor movement in its campaign to turn around America.

LABOR LEADER OF THE WEEK – LAURA HAINEY, AFT LOCAL 8027

Laura Hainey, AFT Local 8027 Click to Watch Video

Laura Hainey, a member of AFT Local 8027 and president of the New Hampshire AFT believes wholeheartedly in the goals of the labor movement. Hainey talks about her desire to fight for the working families. "I wanted to make a difference where I worked and I wanted to stand up for the rights of working men and women". There is no doubt that Hainey understands the efficacy of unified labor and believes that its message will provide this country with an honest and necessary direction.

Hainey believes that Obama is the candidate that will be able to move the labor movement's core issues forward. As Hainey puts it, "John McCain has basically done nothing for working men and women, and I think it's time we have someone new out there. I think [Obama] is the right person and he has the track record to show that".

Hainey understands that it is essential to make the comparison between Obama and McCain salient to union members and to do so through education. Hainey says "I think the best way to get members informed is to use all things that we have in our back pocket. The leafleting, going door to door, talking one on one to the members to get the issues out on the table, and where the candidates stand".

The Employee Free Choice Act, in Hainey's opinion, is essential to establishing the clear voice for workers that are currently unable to freely form unions without fear and intimidation. Hainey states that passage of this legislation will allow workers to take care of themselves and their families.

RAPID ACTION - MCCAIN IN ROCHESTER

Ron Geoffroy (NATCA), Tom Callahan (NATCA), John Drinkwater (OPEIU) Left to Right Click to Watch Video

After arriving in Rochester, NH at about noon, McCain held a town hall meeting in the Rochester Opera House. The labor movement "greeted" him in full force -- with union activists from both New Hampshire and Massachusetts holding up a variety of signs protesting McCain and his policies. Some of these signs included a plywood bus called the "Stuck in the Rut Express". Words like the economy, healthcare, energy costs, and the loss of American jobs were printed on the windows of the bus to represent the issues that John McCain's policies would only make worse if elected. Another protester held up an umbrella and had a sign that said, "this umbrella covers more people that McCain's Healthcare Plan". There was a palpable sense of coherence behind labor's message which was that McCain's policies will only put further strain on the working class and increase the already constant pressure on the middle class to make ends meet.

Heidi Mitchell, TWA expresses her view on the consequences of a McCain administration. "By electing John McCain we are continuing the failed policy of the Bush Administration. Working families deserve better".

Chrissy Long, OPEIU says that, "John McCain's policies make the wealthy wealthier and maintains the glass ceiling for the middle class".

Mike Bailey, SWMIA points out that "McCain has said himself that economics is not one of his strengths, and we don't need to pay a president to have on the job training once in office".

Robert Geary, SMWIA concisely states our country's challenge and the direction we need. "It has simply become too costly to live. It is time for change".

Member from AFT, APWU, NATCA, OPEIU, SWMIA, and TWA all came out to the event and made their voices heard.