New Hampshire AFL-CIO -- Labor 2008 Blog

Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive VP Talks to Union Members in New Hampshire

Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President

Someone else to acknowledge immediately is Arlene Holt Baker, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President. During the last Coordinators' Meeting, Holt Baker, an African American, told a moving story of what it was like for her to grow up in a still segregated America and what this election means to her today. Holt Baker says: "I know that we live in the best country in the world, but we live on a promise of America, and we can even be better. We have an opportunity to prove to the world that we mean it when we say our country is all about all people being equal." Holt Baker adds: "And yes, I am very happy that Barack Obama is going to be the next President of the United States, and of course I am very proud as an African American, but I am so very happy that he is right on the issues, because being black is not enough." She continues: "So on November the 4th if Labor 2008 all over this country does what we know we can do; if we turn out our 25 percent of those voters and they vote their pocketbooks, Barack Obama will become the President of the United States. And for those who called him 'that one', and for those who called him 'the exotic one', guess what on January 20th we are going to call him Mr. President."

Daily Union Spotlight – NATCA Local ZBW, Employee Free Choice Act

 

Tom Callahan, NATCA Local ZBW

Tom Callahan, a member of NATCA Local ZBW knows how important it is to make sure union members are informed on all the issues in the upcoming election. He gave a presentation on one issue in particular, the Employee Free Choice Act, which is vital to the future of the labor movement.

To begin, Callahan says: "The Employee Free Choice Act gives workers the power to choose how they want to form their union rather than leaving the decision up to the employer."

Callahan continues: "This legislation also increases the penalties for employers that break the law. Right now, these businesses are getting a free ride after intimidating and firing workers."

Callahan says: "The last part of this legislation ensures a union's first contract through binding arbitration if there is no consensus reached after a year of negotiations."

Callahan asks: "Did you know that under the current law, if the company can draw contract negotiations out for one year workers have to vote for the union all over again?"

Callahan explains: "People who work for a living have the right to be represented and covered by a contract just like the CEOs, but more importantly, the only way workers are going to get ahead in this country is if we work together."

Callahan says: "The Employee Free Choice Act is very important to working people and when we work together like we are in the Labor 2008 program – making the phone calls, going on labor walks, sending out local union mail, and handing out worksite leaflets, we can get things done."

This election is the first step we need to take in turning around the country. Let's get the vote out on November 4th, and then let's get to work on restoring the middle class.

BAC International Officers, Gerard Scarano and Kevin Flynn

Gerard Scarano, BAC Executive Vice President

5 days to go, so for anyone that hasn't had enough of this election yet, now is your chance to attend a few more events. I know we are all putting in a lot of valuable time for this election, but the vote is not in yet. We need to work right through the finish and leave in our wake the mistakes of a mislead administration. And once we win this election, our country will adopt a new progressive set of priorities focused on the middle class.

The turnouts at the New Hampshire Labor walks are nothing less than astounding, and it is all because of us. Union members from all over the Northeast are attending these walks and each time the crowds total in the hundreds. One walk in Portsmouth, New Hampshire attracted a similar crowd along with two BAC international officers, Gerard Scarano, BAC Executive Vice President and Kevin Flynn, BAC Political Director.

Kevin Flynn, BAC Political Director

Scarano says: "One of the greatest parts of the labor movement is when our members go out and talk to their union brothers and sisters about what needs to be done in this country to preserve the middle class."

Flynn says: "I'm here today in New Hampshire along with about 35 other brick layer brothers and sisters to go on a labor walk and talk with union members about Barack Obama, Jeanne Shaheen, and Carol Shea-Porter. These are the candidates that will stand up for working families and we need to make sure union members know that."

Flynn says: "In the next few days we also need to make sure that union members get their friends and family out to vote on November 4th. Everything that we are doing comes down to Election Day."

Daily Union Spotlight – IBB Local 920, Labor Day Breakfast

 

Jim Chase, IBB Local 920

IBB Local 920 was one of the many unions represented at the Labor Day Breakfast in Manchester, New Hampshire. Jim Chase, President of Local 920 says: "I'm here at the Labor Day breakfast to celebrate what the labor movement's contribution to this country and to support the candidates who stand up for working families."

Chase says: "There is a lot that working men and women need to get done after this election and it starts with electing the right candidates."

Chase talks about a current union initiative aimed at raising awareness about the Employee Free Choice Act: "The Million Member Mobilization is a petition to promote the Employee Free Choice Act. We are getting union members to sign cards in support of this legislation, and once we gather 1 million signatures, we will send the cards to the next President and Congress."

Chase explains: "The Employee Free Choice Act will allow workers to form unions without employer intimidation by giving them the option to form their union though majority sign-up. This legislation will also make sure that is a union's first contract is guarantees and that employees fired unjustly will receive triple damages."

Chase continues: "The Employee Free Choice Act is what will allow this country to fully live up to its promise of collective bargaining in the workplace."

In addition to this legislation, Chase believes: "One of the most important things we do in this election cycle is educating our members to where the candidates stand on issues important to working families. The Labor 2008 program makes this easy with the worksite leaflets, phone banks, labor walks, and local union mail."

Chase says: "The last eight years were very tough so it's important that every one of our members pay attention, volunteer, and vote."

This election is too close to make any excuse. Give all you can these next 5 days.

Daily Union Spotlight – LIUNA Local 668, Leafleting

 

Dennis Robertson, LIUNA Local 668

LIUNA Local 668 was out in Bow, New Hampshire handing out leaflets to union members at the Merrimack Station Power Plant. Dennis Robertson, a member of LIUNA Local 668 says: "We're out here today to make sure that union members get out and vote and support the candidates that support the issues important to working families."

Robertson explains to one worker: "We're asking everyone to look at the issues, especially those issues that are important to union members, because Obama supports us on things like the Employee Free Choice Act, health care, and jobs."

Robertson continues: "What we are doing is part of Labor 2008 and this program is very important to the labor movement and to getting our message out before the election."

Robertson says: "It's important to volunteer and stand up for working families. Take some time out of your day to get involved in worksite leafleting, phone banks, labor walks, and local union mail. By talking to one another we will be able to decide this election."

Now that there are only 6 days left everything you do, every call you make, and every door you knock on will make that much more of a difference.

LIUNA Members Rock the Labor Walk

Doug Watson, LIUNA

There are 6 days left and we are still talking about the unbelievable turnout we had at last Saturday's labor walk in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Union members came from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine to join their New Hampshire union brothers and sisters in going door to door. However, one of the biggest highlights of that day was the LIUNA bus that brought over a hundred LIUNA members from all over the northeast to walk.

Douglas Watson, a LIUNA International Representative commented: "We are here in New Hampshire with fellow union members from all over New England to support the pro-workers candidates: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Jeanne Shaheen." Tom Troy, the Business Manager for LIUNA Local 1421 says: "I am so proud to be here today with all my union brothers and sisters. We are getting together and pulling this election together for Obama. We need a change. We need to get out the vote. Let's do it."

Daily Union Spotlight – IUPAT District Council 35, Leafleting

 

Tom Casey, IUPAT District Council 35

IUPAT District Council 35 members know what leafleting is all about. Tom Casey, a member of DC 35 participated in numberous worksite leaflets and explains: "We go out to meet union members and talk about how important this presidential election and U.S. Senate race is to working families."

Casey says: "The leaflets we give to union members lay out the candidates' positions and allow workers to base their votes on solid facts."

Casey believes: "It's also important to engage union members and let them know that in order to get 60 votes in the U.S. Senate, we need to elect Jeanne Shaheen. With a 60 seat majority we will be able to pass the Employee Free Choice Act and strengthen our unions."

Casey add: "We also want the workers here to know that Barack Obama supports them whole heatedly. Obama believes in unions; he believes in every worker's right to make a decent living and take care of their families."

Casey continues: "With John McCain worker's don't stand a chance. McCain made it perfectly clear when he proposed tax cuts for big business and the super wealthy that the middle class is not his priority. "

When it comes down to getting the message out Casey says: "We need more people handing out worksite leaflets, going to phone banks, going on labor walks, and sending out local union mail. We can win this election if we properly inform our members."

Think of all we can accomplish, if all of us, right now go out and make the contacts necesssary to inspire change in this country.

Terry Stapleton, APWU Secretary Treasurer in New Hampshire

Terry Stapleton, APWU Secretary Treasurer

7 days left means everyone is working harder. Union members made this point clear last Saturday at the New Hampshire AFL-CIO where over 400 union members gathered to participate in a labor walk. 5500 doors were knocked and the response was spectacular.

Terry Stapleton, Secretary Treasurer of APWU electrified the crowd before the labor walk and said: "We are making history in this country right now and with just a week to go we can't let up." Stapleton believes: "There is something happening in this country. There is a change that is about to occur. We are riding a wave. We are going to carry on because we can't stop now." He continued: "It's going to takes more energy from here on out; what ever you are giving you have to give more." And if there is any group of people that can answer the call to work harder it is the labor movement. Stapleton ended his speech by asking union members, in this election: "Who wins?" Union members responded and said: "We win" and "Obama" simultaneously.

Working Families Roundtable with Rep. Paul Hodes

Congressman Paul Hodes, New Hampshire District 2

8 days left before Election Day and we all know that the issue is the economy - a families' ability to afford health care, send their kids to school, retire, and keep their jobs. In addition, the economy was also the focus of last week's roundtable discussion with Congressman Paul Hodes.

During the roundtable, New Hampshire working families talked about their lives and what they are doing to get by in these tough times. The discussion had both inspiring and disheartening effects, but for the most part, the forum prompted a call to action. The stories told by some of the participants hit very close to home and remind us that we are all in this together, and what we do for others may very well end up benefiting someone we know or love. It is important that we tell these stories to remind ourselves of the challenges we face and to make sure that we are not overlooked.

Congressman Paul Hodes

Crystal Belanger

Maddie Carrier, CWA 1365

Vivian McGuire

Linda Guidi, AFT Local 1044

Janice Kelble, APWU Local 230

Eunice Barnes, AFT Local 1044

Dick Rolfe, NALC Local 230

Bob Martel, LIUNA Local 668

Kristine Mooso, NATCA Local ZBW

Daily Union Spotlight – NALC Local 230, Phone Bank

 

Wayne Alterisio, NALC Local 230

Wayne Alterisio has phone banking down to a science and along with his fellow union members from NALC Local 230, the letter carriers are making those calls that are going to make a difference in this election.

Alterisio explains what phone banking is all about: "We are making phone calls to reach out to our members and learn which candidates they are supporting. We are also giving union members some information on the candidates and trying to answer any questions they might have."

Alterisio believes: "It's important to talk to union members about the candidates and the issues because it's very possible that we can tell a worker something they didn't know beforehand and this helps to inform them a little more before they go to the polls." 

Alterisio says: "It's the undecideds that we really have to reach because those are the ones you're going to engage in a conversation."

Alterisio continues: "If you get someone that's for Barack Obama, that's all well and good because you've identified them. If you get someone that is voting for McCain you are not going to get into a heateed debate about why he or she should change their vote. But if you talk with someone who is leaning towards McCain or Obama, you can talk to them about the issues and possibly sway their vote one way or the other."

Alterisio says: "Some people know exaclty how they are going to vote. Everyone needs to realize that it's the undecideds that are going to call this eleciton. Those are the ones you want to engage and have a conversation with as to why Barack Obama would be the best President."

We are coming down to the wire and it is essential that we get out and work hard these last few days.