New Hampshire AFL-CIO -- Labor 2008 Blog

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO – Labor 2008

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO explains what the Labor 2008 program in New Hampshire is all about: "We are in the process of moving a program that really talks about who John McCain is; the kinds of things that he stands for and why it really makes more sense for our members to support Barack Obama for President of the United States."

The success of the Labor 2008 program really depends on union members getting involved in this election through their locals. MacKenzie goes on to explain some of the different ways to participate: "Part of what we will do over the next few months is to make sure that we make the phone calls to our members, get people to join in the labor walks, send out local union mail, and hand out leaflets at the worksites."

MacKenzie says: "We need to make sure that the members understand in the end exactly who John McCain is, what his record has been, and where he would take this country in the years ahead if he is elected President of the United States."

MacKenzie states: "I think for our member the choice is really clear. Barack Obama supports the Employee Free Choice Act, he has made a commitment to put forth trade agreements that make sense, he is for universal health care, and he will make sure our pensions and retirements are kept secure."

MacKenzie concludes by saying: "I think we have a great candidate in Barack Obama, and I think that we have a great slate of candidates in the state of New Hampshire. Each one of us has to make sure that on Election Day union members turn out in big numbers to support the labor endorsed candidates."

Local Union Spotlight – IBEW Local 2320, Local Union Mail

Kelly Torosian, IBEW Local 2320

IBEW Local 2320 is getting a second local mailing out to its members to inform them on the upcoming election. Kelly Torosian, Business Agent for Local 2320 talks about the initiative: "Our local is getting ready to do our second mailing, and we've committed to do four mailings prior to the election."

Torosian says: "We feel it is very important for our membership to understand where the candidates stand on the issues that are important to working families."

Torosian describes the information contained in this mailing: "The local mail we are sending to our members will include facts about Barack Obama and Jeanne Shaheen, and will make members aware of the reasons that the union has chosen to endorse these candidates. The hope is that, with this information, workers will also choose to support Obama and Shaheen on Election Day."

Torosian says: "This is one of the most significant elections we have ever faced and it is really important for union members to get involved. We can all do our part by worksite leafleting, participating in member to member phone banks, labor walks, and sending out local union mail."

Torosian invites everyone to: "Come on out and help us get out the vote."

Labor Leader of the Week – Carol Bates AFGE Local 948

Carol Bates, AFGE Local 948

Carol Bates, AFGE Local 948 talks about which candidates she has chosen to support in this election: "I'm voting for Barack Obama and Jeanne Shaheen because they support working families. The both support the Employee Free choice Act which allows workers to be able to freely form a union at their workplace so that they can get good wages, healthcare benefits, and support their families."

Bates believes it is important for people to know that: "Barack Obama is going to help create more good jobs for workers." Bates adds: "It's very sad to see people that have no family time because they have to go out and work two or three jobs just to support their families as a result of all the good jobs are being sent overseas. While at the same time, we continue to give benefits and government tax breaks to companies that are shipping those jobs overseas."

Bates explains how she got involved in the labor movement: "As a government employee I realized just how important it was for workers to be able to have a voice in their workplace. While in my union I came to understand that the labor movement is out helping every working person – not just the people that are in unions."

In order to make sure that we keep our unions strong Bates believes that winning this election will be of the utmost importance. Bates says: "I want to encourage my union brothers and sisters to get involved in the election. We need everyone in the labor movement to talk to their fellow union members, talk to their neighbors, and talk to their families, so that they can understand what the issues are for working families in this election."

Bates says: "What you can do to make a difference is to participate in member to member phone banks, sending out local union mail, and going on the labor walks. Together we can do this; we can be part of the change that is going to make this country better."

Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire State Senate District #23

Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire State Senate District #23

New Hampshire State Senator Maggie Hassan spoke to union members at the New Hampshire AFL-CIO Legislative Conference about this country's need to support the candidates who will be credible champions for change.

Senator Hassan began her speech by saying: "We have been led by a president and a party that decided to use their eight years in power as a time to see how much they could get. The same people that sold us George Bush twice are selling John McCain and Sarah Palin."

Senator Hassan says:  When you are out there talking to your friends, you ask them what it is that John McCain and Sarah Palin are going to change that will make a difference in their lives. They are with George Bush on the economy; they actually want to tax health care benefits. They are with Bush on the war and they are with Bush on the environment – every item down the list."

Senator Hassan asks: "If John McCain is with Bush on all of these issues then what else is left to change? There isn't anything else left to change."

Senator Hassan adds that: "If there is one thing you need to tell you friends, tell them that it isn't Barack Obama that wants to tax the middle class. He is going to lower taxes on the middle class and his plan is very clear about that."

New Hampshire - Labor 2008 Events Schedule

Labor Walks:

Saturday November 1, 9:00AM to 3:00PM – Manchester/Hooksett
New Hampshire AFL-CIO
161 Londonderry Turnpike; Hooksett, New Hampshire

Saturday November 1, 9:00AM to 3:00PM
More Locations TBD

Phone Banks:

Hooksett Phone Banks
New Hampshire AFL-CIO
161 Londonderry Turnpike; Hooksett, New Hampshire

Every Monday – Thursday, 5:00PM to 8:00PM

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, New Hampshire District #1

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, New Hampshire District #1

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter says: "This is an election that will determine our children's future and I'm asking you to get involved. Everything rests on this election, so step up to the challenge. We can change this country but we need you to change it."

Congresswoman Shea-Porter explains: "I sit on the Education and Labor Committee in Washington DC and I know how important it is to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. The Employee Free Choice Act is fair, it gives employees the opportunity to be heard in the workplace, it protects their right to form a union, and the time to pass it and make it law is now."

Congresswoman Shea-Porter talks about the choices voters will have to make in this election: "In November, you will have an opportunity to choose the leaders of this country, and the choice is very clear. You can choose candidates who came from Wall Street or you can choose candidates that came from Main Street. I come from Maine Street. The Democratic slate comes from Main Street. We know your stories and you can feel confident that when we get to Washington we will be working for you and your families and our families as well."

According to Congresswoman Shea-Porter this is an election where everyone needs to get involved: "For the next few weeks work like your country needs you; work like your country depends on you because it really does. You can leaflet at work, send out local union mail, participate in member to member phone banks, and join in labor walks. You have a chance to bring to this country a new vision of hope and opportunity for all."

Labor Leader of the Week – John Laughlin, IUPAT District Council 35

John Laughlin, IUPAT District Council 35

John Laughlin, IUPAT, District Council 35 participated in the September 4th labor walks and explains why others should get involved in the Labor 2008 program: "I participated in the September 4th labor walk because both my union asked me to and because it is very important for union members themselves to get involved. When we talk to each other we can make a real difference."

Laughlin suggests: "Get involved in worksite leafleting, local union mail, member to member phone banks, and labor walks. Nothing makes a bigger difference to another union member than when they are able to hear information from someone who is just like them, someone who goes to work everyday and who carries a union card. When union members talk to one another they can learn the real truth about what is happening."

Laughlin talks about the importance of education for this election: "Union members need to know the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama. It's up to each one of use to make sure that our fellow union members understand that Obama stands with us on things like the Employee Free Choice Act, which gives us the right to form a union through majority sign-up; he is going to stand up for us on health care and pensions, thing that matter every day to workers. John McCain is the exact opposite. He wants to tax our health care benefits and he wants to give corporations the tax breaks. That's not what is going to help America and that's not what is going to help working families. We need to stand up to make sure that other union members understand what we understand."

Laughlin believes: "This election more so than the others is really about working families and what we are going to be able to do to change the priorities of this country; to make sure that we have jobs, health care, and pensions. Barack Obama is on our side, he wants to help us. This is a time where we can make a difference as union members. We can elect a president that stands with us."

Local Union Spotlight – NATCA, Phone Bank

Tom Callahan, NATCA

Union members from NATCA recently participated in a phone bank hosted by USW 8566 in Concord, New Hampshire. Workers had a opportunity to reach out to their union brothers and sister to talk about the candidates in this election and the what they will do for working families.

Tom Callahan, NATCA says: "I'm here tonight phone banking with the United Steel Workers trying to get our message out to the members about the issues in this election."

During one of his calls, Callahan explains to a worker: "We have endorsed Barack Obama for President because we think he is going to be able to turn the economy around. Obama supports universal health care, he supports unions, and he has promised to sign the Employee Free Choice Act into law if elected."

Callahan continues the call by talking about the Employee Free Choice Act: "This act will give workers the opportunity to form a union at their workplace without intimidation from the employer; having a union will make it easier for workers to have a collective say about their working conditions, pay, and benefits. The way it works now is that the employer decides what type of election will be held for a union to be recognized. With the Employee Free Choice Act the decision is left up to the workers; they can choose to form a union through either majority sign-up or by holding a secret ballot election. The important point is that the decision is left up to the workers rather than the employer." Callahan adds: "What this act also does is that it provides protection for the workers by increasing the penalties that companies will pay when they engage in unfair labor practices."

Callahan believes: "Every one should get involved in these phone banks. They allow you as the caller to learn more about the issues and at the same time give you a chance to educate your fellow union members."

The Nation – "Labor's New Push" by David Moberg

"Labor's New Push" by David Moberg

David Moberg, a writer for the Nation describes in his article "Labor's New Push", what the community organization, "Working America," means to the labor movement.

Moberg writes: "After working thirty-two years as a security officer, Roger Lasch was angry when Target 'downsized' him two years ago, just months before he could collect his full retirement package. 'There were still executives getting bonuses while I was losing my job,' he says. 'I found that insulting.' So when some young people from a group promising to fight for good jobs knocked on his door, he signed up. A political independent from suburban Pittsburgh, Lasch soon became active in the group, publicly speaking out against corporate abuse of workers and making phone calls to other members."

Moberg explains: "The group he joined was Working America. With 2.5 million members, it's the second-largest labor organization in the country. But it's not a union with members and contracts at their workplaces. The AFL-CIO calls Working America its 'community affiliate.'"

Moberg reports: "Working America is one of the brightest new developments for a beleaguered labor movement--giving a boost to political work this fall at a time when traditional union membership has been declining in the long run. After Labor Day, canvassers for the group will try to contact every Working America member at the door with a field-tested, two-pronged message on behalf of Barack Obama. They'll contrast the positions of Obama and John McCain on critical issues, especially healthcare, but they'll also talk personally about why they're working on behalf of Obama. 'We will give people information they're not getting,' says Karen Nussbaum, the group's executive director, 'but we also will communicate the way people personally make their decisions.'"

"'We shouldn't believe that the only way unions can organize is to protect workers through the collective bargaining contract,' argues Harvard professor Richard Freeman, who thinks that Working America could have the political clout comparable to AARP, especially if it can find ways to wield influence on workplace issues."

"'Working America,' as Nussbaum likes to say, 'is a mass organization with a middle class base and a strategy to build power to win.'"

Full Text Here: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080915/moberg

Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen – September 4th Labor Walk Speech

Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen

At the outset of the September 4th labor walk, Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen delivered a speech in which she thanked union members for all of the hard work that they are doing in this election. Governor Shaheen began by saying: "Every day that you spend talking to folks and passing out information to help us move the message of this campaign is a day that brings us closer to victory on November the 4th."

Governor Shaheen understands the challenges that we face in trying to reshape this country and says: "We've seen all the negative ads and heard the radio ads. Over two million dollars has been spent to date by outside groups, who are front groups for the Republican Party and John Sununu, attacking me on the Employee Free Choice Act. They are attacking me because they don't want to provide a living wage for workers, they don't want to provide health care benefits for workers, and they don't want to provide pension plans for workers; they don't want to make sure that workers have a level playing field when it comes to forming a union and I believe that is wrong."

Governor Shaheen says: What is going to make a difference in this election is the person to person campaigning. Reach out to your fellow employees, to your families, to your friends, to your neighbors, and let them know what is at stake in this race." Governor Shaheen concludes by saying: "Together we are going to win."