New Hampshire AFL-CIO -- Labor 2008 Blog

The O'Connor Family for Barack Obama

The O'Connor Family

Paul O'Connor, President of the Metal Trades Council at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard talked about how he will be going to Denver for the Democratic Convention to speak as a representative for labor. O'Connor plans to make it clear that: "For too long, working men and women have taken a backseat in this country and it is time for us to get out there and make ourselves heard and Senator Obama is the man who is going to listen to us."

O'Connor suggests we all take an active role in the Labor 2008 program "Help your union in leafleting, labor walks, write to your congressman, don't get your education from sound bites, pay attention to what's going on, read, listen to what politicians are saying, go to events, ask politicians questions, and don't settle for answers that are incomplete".

O'Connor proclaims: "Go Obama. Go America. Go Union." O'Connor and his children all support Obama as his daughter reminds us at the end of their interview.

Kevin Cash, International Representative for IBEW

Kevin Cash, International Representative IBEW

Kevin Cash, an International Representative for the IBEW talks about why he is active in the Labor 2008 program: "I am very concerned, interested, and active in the Labor 2008 program because I have seen what has happened to this country in the last 10 or 15 years. We are losing good paying American jobs to countries overseas as a result of trade deals like CAFTA and NAFTA." Cash says: "Since President Bush has been in office we have simply lost ground. We have lost benefits, we have lost pensions, and we have lost health care. I believe we are up to 47 million uninsured in this country."

In order to remedy these problems Cash suggests that every one take an active role in Labor 2008. Workers can participate in worksite leafleting, local union mail, member to member phone banks, and labor walks. Cash concludes by saying: "It's time we all stand up for working families, and if you have children and grandchildren; if you care for them and care for their future it's time that we all stand up with Barack Obama in this next presidential election."

Local Union Spotlight – NATCA, New England Regional Office Labor Walk

Don Boehner, UAW 2232 talks to a union worker in Nashua, New Hampshire.

During the NATCA labor walk in Nashua, New Hampshire, union members from AFGE, AFSCME, APWU, NATCA, OPEIU, SEIU, and UAW were out in the community talking to union members about the issues in this election and the candidates that will stand up for working families. Walkers had informational leaflets to give to residents which compared Barack Obama's polices to John McCain's. In addition, this walk was opportunity to collect signatures for the Million Member Mobilization, a petition for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Don Boehner, UAW 2232 talks about his participation in the labor walk: "I'm here in New Hampshire doing a labor walk to get the message out that Barack Obama and Jeanne Shaheen are the candidates that are going to do a good job for working people."

During the walk Boehner spoke with a woman from one household and said: "The key issues this election are obviously making sure that we have jobs for the middle class, reforming our health care system, and changing our energy policy." Afterwards, Boehner asked the woman if she would be interested in signing the Employee Free Choice Act petition. Boehner then explained what the Employee Free Choice Act would do for working families: "We are supporting this Act since it would make it easier for workers to form a union. Right now when you sign a card to form a union there has to be an election before their union is recognized. With this law there will be a choice. Workers can either have their union recognized through majority sign-up or by holding an election. What is important is that the employee has the choice of which method of recognition should be used rather than the employer. This law would effectively cut out the employer's ability to work on trying to dissuade workers from forming a union as well as prevent employers from trying to intimidate workers between the time they sign a card and hold the union election."

Roundtable Discussion on the Underground Economy with Congressman Hodes

Congressman Paul Hodes, New Hampshire District #2

For far too long now, employers have been cheating their workers by misclassifying them as independent contracts rather then employees as a way to avoid paying for expensive benefits like health care and worker's compensation. Businesses that take part in this practice of misclassification have seen their profits skyrocket while leaving their workers to pay the price. Unfortunately, the current system awards this type of behavior since the businesses that misclassify their workers are able to charge the lowest prices and are therefore able to secure the majority of work contracts.

Congressman Paul Hodes offers his view on the underground economy: "Worker misclassification is not only hurting the workers that are misclassified and often mistreated as a result, they are not getting the benefits they deserve like Social Security and Medicare when they get hurt, it's hurting everybody because through worker misclassification companies aren't paying their fair share".

Mark Erlich, Executive Secretary Treasurer – New England Regional Council of Carpenters suggested changes that could be made on the federal level: "One is that there needs to be a clear and stronger definition in federal law of what actually constitutes an independent contractor versus an employee. There are such things as legitimate independent contractor that is not the issue the issue is the misuse of the term." Erlich says: "Over the last twenty years we've seen a growing number of construction employers who have chosen to label their employees as independent contractors. By doing so, these businesses avoid legally obligated tax payments and costly worker's compensation premiums as a way to cut costs. The misclassified workers function as employees in every respect they follow direction and are under the employer's control, but through this simple matter of misclassification these companies are provided with substantial competitive advantage over the employers that play by the rules."

Scott Richards, President of Spectrum Floors in Manchester, New Hampshire talks about his experience as an employer that had previously been engaged in worker misclassification: "I was honestly part of the problem for years. We ran a company, we had subcontractors. I'm not saying it was right but we had to do it. Then about six months ago we were discussing in my office that we would like to go union. So I brought everybody in and told them that if we bring you in as employees, you're going to get health care benefits, an annuity plan, and worker's compensation. This was a very nice package and was something I wanted to do for the workers." Richards talks about the benefits of reclassifying his workers as union employees: "It has been about 8 weeks and they're working harder, they are more conscientious about what they are doing, and we just finished the state legislative offices at the state house. Already I've gotten two e-mails saying how well the job was done and the professionalism of the employees. To me this has been the best move I have made in my life. It has really been awesome."

News from Around the State

Bobbie Surott Kimberly, AFGE 2604

The New Hampshire AFL-CIO held its monthly Coordinators' Meeting last week. During the meeting the Labor 2008 program was discussed as well as the major issues and initiatives of this election. While the meeting was taking place, union members were filmed as they offered statements pertaining to the election and its importance to working families. Bobbie Surott Kimberly, AFGE Local 2604 remarks: "I'm really interested in Labor 2008 because I think it is very important that we take the country in a different direction. As a federal worker I've been concerned about the policies that have been put forth over the past eight years under the Bush administration, so I'm really interested in electing Barack Obama for President. I hope you'll join me to vote for him on November 4th.

Happy Birthday Social Security

Happy Birthday Social Security

The importance of the Social Security program cannot be understated. President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, Mark MacKenzie says: "Today is a day to celebrate one of the most successful public policy programs in the history of the United Stated. The idea that for 73 years, people have been guaranteed a paycheck or benefit every month from Social Security is truly a remarkable feat. As Americans, this achievement is something that we should embrace and be proud of."

MacKenzie adds: "In New Hampshire alone, nearly a quarter of a million people depend on Social Security for their subsistence every month." Furthermore, American families are relying on Social Security more and more as a result of the declining defined benefit programs offered in the workplace. MacKenzie believes: "We need to make sure this program is solid, we need to hold our legislators accountable, and we need to elect Barack Obama who says that he will oppose the privatization of Social Security."

Charlie Balban, a retired sheet metal worker who became permanently disabled at the age of 53 receives a monthly Social Security benefit. Balban explains how a privatized Social Security program would affect him: "Today, people that collect Social Security are just getting by. If Social Security was privatized, with the economy the way it's going now, we would no longer receive a standard amount of money that we could depend upon. Every month the benefit would fluctuate making it almost impossible for recipients to budget their expenses. I really question what the wellbeing of people under a privatized Social Security program would be like."

John Mendolusky, President of the Alliance of Retired Americans in New Hampshire attended this event and stressed how important Social Security is to the senior citizens in the country. In addition, union members from IBEW, NATCA, OPEIU, and SMWIA made it clear to Senator Sununu outside of his office in Manchester, New Hampshire just how important Social Security is to the wellbeing of the residents of New Hampshire and the American people.

Release Staff – John Drinkwater, OPEIU Local 6

John Drinkwater, OPEIU Local 6

John Drinkwater, OPEIU Local 6 talks about how he got involved in the labor movement: "I got involved in the labor movement right out of college because I have always been interested in news, politics, and history. While in school, I found that the labor movement and union members were always on the right side of the issues." Ever since learning about labor history and the key role unions continue to play in the development of this country Drinkwater was determined to get involved in any way he could.

Drinkwater talks about getting a job in the labor movement: "I was fortunate enough to become an intern with the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. This position then led me to become part of the staff." As a staff member Drinkwater talks about some of his responsibilities: "I am currently working on the Labor 2008 campaign which focuses on getting union members to play an active role in this election by taking part in worksite leafleting, union mail events, phone banks, and labor walks. I think that workers should get involved because we've endured eight years of anti-union policies at the hands of the Bush administration. I believe that we have a great opportunity to turn this country around and I believe that in this election we need to elect Barack Obama."

Drinkwater like many others working on the Labor 2008 program are dedicated to making sure that we take the steps necessary in this country to restore the middleclass. The achievements of the labor movement to date are far too great for us to see them diminished by any more anti-worker policies. The time to stand up for working families is now.

Local Union Spotlight – NATCA Local ZBW, Member to Member Phone Bank

NATCA New England Regional Office

NATCA Local ZBW recently hosted a member to member phone bank in Nashua, New Hampshire. Mike Robicheau, NATCA New England Regional Vice President says: "The phone bank is an opportunity to call union members and let them know which candidates their union has endorsed and to reinforce economic issues and why members should support Barack Obama for President and Jeanne Shaheen for U.S. Senate". By having a conversation on the phone, union members are able to discuss with each other any questions that they might have regarding the upcoming election. Based on what participants in these phone banks have said, union members are comfortable with asking each other questions because they trust that their fellow workers have the same interests and will provide the most credible information.

Robicheau also says: "The phone bank is a chance to get an idea of which candidates the union members are planning on voting for and why." This type of information is important since it provides detailed insight into the popular positions of each of the candidates thereby allowing for a more comprehensive knowledge of worker interests.

Robicheau talks about what NATCA is doing to get involved in this election: "We are doing a phone bank tonight, we are planning another labor walk so we can 'get this ball rolling' because we need to turn this country around."

Labor Leader of the Week – Pat Ahern, President of APWU Local 230

Pat Ahern, APWU Local 230

Pat Ahern, President of APWU Local 230 believes it is very important to establish and maintain a network of communication between union members. Through this network, workers can talk about the issues that are important to them in this election, and they can discuss how a candidate's policies would either hurt or help working families. Ahern says: "The economy is a big problem now for working families, even in the postal service employees are being asked to retire early, but many of the members I talk to can't afford to retire early."

Ahern says: "What I've learned that Senator Obama will do for working families is that he will sign into law the Employee Free Choice Act, which will give worker the right to form unions without interference from the company. Senator Obama will also appoint new members of the National Labor Relations Board that will support the interests of working families rather than continually finding against them." These are the types of policies that will restore the middleclass and serve the best interest of America's workers.

In order to make a difference in this election, Ahern talks about how union members in APWU are getting involved in the political process: "Workers are getting involved by attending union meetings like the monthly Coordinator's Meeting held at the New Hampshire AFL-CIO. Workers are helping with leafleting, local union mail, phone banks, and labor walks. These events are actually pretty fun since we get to speak with our fellow union members".

Congressman Paul Hodes at IBEW 490 Union Hall, Speaks to Union Members

Congressman Paul Hodes, New Hampshire District #2

Congressman Paul Hodes, representing New Hampshire's second district spoke to an excited audience of union members last week at the IBEW 490 hall in Concord, New Hampshire. Congressman Hodes, a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 374 talked about the need for a strong and prosperous labor movement in this country and the opportunity that workers have in this election to restore America's middle class.

Since being elected, Congressman Hodes has been fighting for working families: "In the House of Representatives, I supported the Employee Free Choice Act because I believe in the fundamental importance of collective bargaining, and I want to make sure that working folks have the right to form unions because I think that we make better products when union workers make them and I think that the relationships between management and labor is better when shops are unionized, so it is something that I am going to stand up for and keep fighting for". In addition, Congressman Hodes talks about how he supported a bill that increased the federal minimum wage and that it is important that the Congress continues to pass more legislation that will help to lift up working families.

Congressman Hodes believes that in order to make sure workers can take care of their families they need to have access to the best possible medical care: "We need to have health care for every American in this country. It has to be portable, it has to be affordable, and it has to be health care that nobody can take away, it's the only way we can be competitive in a global economy".

With all of the challenges facing this country, Congressman Hodes believes: "this election coming up is a watershed moment for this country. We made changes in 2006 but in 2008 we need to make more changes, so I'm urging you to get out there and work, we need every single one of you to work for Barack Obama for President, Jeanne Shaheen for U.S. Senate, and I'm hoping that you're going to work hard for me because I want to go back to Congress to stand up for you". Congressman Hodes reinforces the point: "Every single one of you makes a difference. Talk to your friends, talk to your neighbors, talk to your families, and talk to your union members. This election is the most important election of our lifetime, and working together we can change the course of this country, we can stand up together for working people, and we can make sure that we have opportunity for everybody in this country".