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Joe Stapleton, NATCA |
After highlighting various unions across the state, it is time to congratulate the union members that made the Labor 2008 program possible.
At the last Coordinators' Meeting, union members shared stories about their experiences during this campaign. After hearing these stories it isn't hard to see that there is a lot more to an election than just getting a candidate elected.
Here are some of the things that union members said about the Labor 2008 program.
Joe Stapleton, NATCA says: "Last Saturday, my daughter and I went on a labor walk. We stopped at the house of a lady who was still not convinced who she wanted to vote for, but expressed interest in Barack Obama's energy policy." Joe continues: "We couldn't answer all of her questions, so at the end of the day we came back to the office and downloaded all the data that was available on Obama's energy plan. We brought the information back to this woman so she could see exactly what Obama stands for and so she could make an informed decision on Election Day." Joe concluded by saying: "I try to teach my children that it's important to do everything you can to get the job done."
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Carolyn Federoff, AFGE Local 3258 |
Carolyn Federoff, AFGE Local 3258 explains: "A while back I spoke with an undecided voter over the phone and he was an 80 year old man. And so last week I was doing call backs. I remembered this man and said, 'I know you were undecided, and we sent you some information. What did you think about it?' The man responded, 'Well you know I was always a union man, but I'm a veteran and McCain means something to me.' I asked the man, 'Do you use the VA health care system?' He said, 'Yes I do, all the time.' And I said, 'My union represents VA health care workers and a lot of our members are veterans. We are really disappointed in Senator McCain because he voted against funding for the VA health care system and voted against veterans.' The man said, 'You know what, I am so glad you called me. This call really made a difference to me and I am definitely going to vote for Barack Obama.'"
Sandy Keller, NYSUT-AFT says: "I always found every excuse in the book not to go on the labor walks, but last Saturday I went door to door with someone else who never went on a labor walk. We started out and I found the experience was really great. There were some great conversations and it was a good time."
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Sandy Keller, NYSUT-AFT |
Rose Ihrig, AFT says: "We are doing phone calls, we are knocking on doors, and doing a lot of things related to the Labor 2008 program. And coming from a younger generation I am really learning a lot. One conversation that sticks out in my mind was with a woman during a labor walk. This woman came walking down her driveway and she said, 'I know what you're here for.' And I though, 'Oh, no, this can't be good.' But she said, 'I'm voting for Obama because I'm not going to be able to afford heat this winter and the only hope I see for this upcoming winter is Obama.' As she talked you could hear the emotion in her voice and I really felt that this was a good heartfelt conversation."
Carol Bates, AFGE Local 948 says: "My favorite experience so far was taking out the Iron Worker apprentices on a labor walk. They never went door to door, so we were practicing in the van on the way over. We get up to the first house, and they are so nervous that they forgot the flyers in the car. But the next thing you know, they get into the swing of things and say they want to do this again. It was just exciting to see that when they got out their and starting engaging in conversations, they enjoyed themselves and I thought that was my best walk so far."
I'm sure we will all take experiences with us from this election, and that by far is the greatest success of this campaign.
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