New Hampshire AFL-CIO -- Labor 2008 Blog

New Hampshire Workers Know What it Took to Win This Election

Dennis Gionet, SMWIA Local 17; Sean LeClaire, SMWIA Local 17 (Left to Right)

In case anyone is still wondering why we won this election be sure to read the rest of this e-mail. You'll hear from union volunteers and labor leaders in New Hampshire giving their opinions on the labor movements' contribution to our victory on Election Day.

Wayne Alterisio, NALC says: "This election was significant to me because of the strong concerted effort we were able to achieve. I never saw an election effort at this level – so many unions working towards one goal. And nothing was more rewarding than to see the labor movement have a decisive effect. I truly believe that our efforts put the candidates over the top. Now it's time to get to work. There is a great imbalance in this country and we can level the playing field and make sure working families in this country are rewarded for their hard work. All the tools are there to grow the labor movement. It has to happen, and we can make it happen."

Janice Kelble, APWU Local 230 says: "This election means a lot to the postal service, which has lost a lot of ground over the past 8 years. The Post Master General is convinced that we are going to be in for the fight of our lives over the next 5 years because of privatization. Privatization has invaded the postal service and our survival will depend on making sure we keep mail delivery a public service. For the first time in our history, postal service jobs are at stake and we need people in Washington that care about keeping the postal service a public service."

Bob Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO

Kevin Cash IBEW International Representative believes: "Our ability to elect Barack Obama, Jeanne Shaheen, Carol Shea-Porter, and Paul Hodes shows our willingness as a people to look out for future generations in this country."

Bob Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO explains: "This election marked a great day for America. We have a chance to stand up for working families in this country again, and union members are engaged in that process right now."

Lew Henry, NALC Local 44 says: "Our effort was crucial in this election. And hopefully with the new Congress and President we can make sure working people are paid a living wage and are once again respected by our government. I'm hopeful that we can make sure this happens. To start, we need to work on getting the Employee Free Choice Act passed."

Brian Zahn, IUPAT District Council 35

John Laughlin, IUPAT District Council 35 says: "In this election we proved that when union members talk to each other we can make a real difference. I think it is important for everyone to understand that this election was about working families. It was about what we are going to do over the next few decades concerning jobs and healthcare – all the things we care about."

Carol Bates, AFGE Local 948 says: "Working men and women are a part of the change that is going to make this country better."

Dennis Adams, UA Local 131 explains: "I believe that our ability to get union members out to the polls on Election Day came down to the information we distributed during the campaign. Local union mail, labor walks, worksite leafleting, and phone banks all played a crucial role in getting our message out there, and I know for a fact, that message resonated with most of the members."

Statewide Union Leaders: Our Victory on November 4th

Ron Geoffroy, NATCA; Tom Callahan, NATCA; John Drinkwater, OPEIU (Left to Right)

Now that things are settling down after a hard election fight, think about what this campaign meant to you. I believe that the results of this election will have far reaching effects. Future generations will look back on this election which we were privileged enough to experience first hand.

Never was there a day where so many different groups celebrated so many unique victories all at once. This was an historic day for African Americans and it was a defining time for the labor movement. This election meant so much to parents, children, and students. This was a day for people that come from a humble background but have high aspirations. This election was a victory for anyone that believes the people have the power to redirect a nation.

Here is what your union brothers and sisters in New Hampshire said when asked to react to this election:

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO says: "It is because of our hard work during this campaign that working men and women in this country can once again have hope for a better future. We must stay strong and continue to fight for what we believe in."

Joe Howard, IBEW Local 490 on a Labor Walk

John Harriman, IUPAT District Council 35 believes: "The Bush administration fought 3 wars: the War in Afghanistan, the Iraq War, and the war against labor. This election is a victory for all working people, both union and non-union."

Dave McCloskey, NPMHU Local 301 explains: "The Labor 2008 program allowed union members to pool our efforts together and ultimately win this election. I leafleted every weekend for the past few months, went to the phone banks, helped to send out local union mail, and drove during the labor walks. I enjoyed the camaraderie of working with my union brothers and sister to elect the candidates that will help to restore the middle class in America."

John Mendolusky, President of the New Hampshire Alliance for Retired Americans says: "I don't know how this country was going to stand four more years of the same.

Terry Gesel, NALC Branch 44

Bob Martel, LIUNA says: "After 20 years in the labor movement, I never saw the same kind of enthusiasm, from the beginning of a campaign to the end, which I saw in this election. This election was as important to me as it was to all other workers in this country. Everyone is seeing tough times and we took a step in the right direction by electing the candidates that will stand up for working families. What is important to workers is access to affordable quality healthcare, a secure retirement, and the chance to keep up with the rising cost of living. It was certainly a relief to hear Barack Obama's speech after he won the election."

Earl Sweet, SEIU Local 560 says: "We made a difference in this election by talking to one another. This is the first time in many years that we are ready to improve this country with the interests of working men and women in mind."

John Drinkwater, OPEIU; Wayne Alterisio, NALC; Tom Callahan, NATCA (Left to Right)

Kelly Torosian, IBEW Local 2320 says: "This election was one of the most important elections to working people and I am so impressed by how willing union members were to volunteer their time to make a difference."

Paul O'Connor, President of the Metal Trades Council says: "I'm very pleased with the outcome in this election. This is an example of a successful grassroots effort and no one can build a grassroots effort like the labor movement. There was a total engagement of workers across the country because so many people believed that this country needed change. All of us stood up to the anti-worker policies and got the job done. While volunteering, I always brought my kids with me because this is their future that we are fighting for. I feel very hopeful and it is time that we realize our potential through hard work."

Laura Hainey, AFT Local 8027 explains: "I got involved in the labor movement several years ago because I wanted to make a difference in my workplace and I wanted to stand up for the rights of working men and women. Our success in this election gives us the power to really make a change in this country for the benefit of working families."

Linda Guidi, AFT Local 1044 says: "Thinking about this election as a teacher, the first thing that comes to my mind is a child's education. Many of my students live in poverty and were ignored over the last 8 years by a misguided administration. I'm optimistic that working with President Obama, we will put into place some of the policies which will really benefit my students – policies that help lower income families in these tough economic times by providing a fair working wage, making it easier to form unions,  and improve access to quality health insurance. If we do these things families can make sure their kids get the care and education they deserve."

Looking Back at Labor 2008

Well brothers and sisters, we couldn't ask for a better result. Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, Jeanne Shaheen was elected to the U.S. Senate, and Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter were sent back to the Congress.

Workers around the state of New Hampshire stood up and said no more to the anti-worker agenda in Washington. We said that if things in this country aren't functioning as they should, we can change how things are done.

You should all feel an amazing sense of accomplishment because all the work we did made that essential difference. Together we knocked on 35,945 doors, wrote by hand 13,000 postcards, made 56,863 phone calls, and got out over 157,000 leaflets in the mail and at the worksites.

When the labor movement invests itself in a cause, we can't lose. Working men and women around this country prove that when our many voices are heard as one, they cannot be silenced.

But we can't stop now. There are more fights ahead. We need to make sure we pass the Employee Free Choice Act to strengthen the labor movement. We are going to make sure the elected candidates are held accountable and that we accomplish the goals we set out to fulfill.

We took a major step in the right direction and it is up to us to continue in our noble pursuits.

In Solidarity,

Mark MacKenzie, New Hampshire AFL-CIO President

Jess Clark, New Hampshire AFL-CIO State Director

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The Final Video

That's right this is the last video, and if there was one video to watch, this is the one.

Election Day Spotlight – New Hampshire Working Families

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."

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."

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.

Daily Union Spotlight – New Hampshire AFL-CIO

 

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO

The New Hampshire AFL-CIO ran a campaign which directed the energy of union members into the Labor 2008 program. The coordinated effort between volunteers and staff was exemplary As a result, the New Hampshire labor movement is ready to get the vote out tomorrow and lead in the effort to turn this country around.

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO relates his experiences from a labor walk to this election: "AFT President Randi Weingarten and I went to a door, the Knowles family, and this woman came out, she greeted us, and said, 'I'm so glad that you are here. I'm so happy you are going door to door and talking about things that are important to working men and women.' Then she said, 'I'm concerned about my future, I'm concerned about my job, I'm concerned about my husband's job, and we are worried about this nation.' She continued, 'I'm tired as a parent, I want a brighter future for my family, and I want a better way of life for Americans.'"

MacKenzie explains: "That's what people on Main Street are saying and that's what our members are saying."

MacKenzie says: "Just know that we are going to make all the difference in this election."

MacKenzie adds: "When I look my two boys in the eye, I'm going to be able to say to them with confidence that I did all that I could do and that I fought as hard as I could fight. I'm going to be able say to my boys that I did the best I could do to turn this nation around."

All of our hard work comes down to tomorrow, so join your union brothers and sisters, and let's win this election.

Our Union Brothers and Sisters From the U.K.

Carl Roper, TUC Organizing Team

Last weekend in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, union members from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in the United Kingdom joined their union brothers and sisters here in the United States to show their support for Barack Obama.

Tom Wilson, TUC Organization and Services Department

Carl Roper, a member of the TUC says: "I'm here with a group of trade unionists from the U.K., and we're here today to help out with the labor walk in support of Barack Obama for president."

Roper continues: "We know that our union brothers and sisters in the U.S. are fighting a battle to strengthen the labor movement, and that Barack Obama pledged to support the Employee Free Choice Act, which will make it easier for working Americans to form unions without intimidation from the employer."

Tom Wilson on a Labor Walk

Roper explains: "Workers in the U.K. are also supporting Obama since this will mean a move away from the policies of George Bush."

Tom Wilson, a member of TUC says: "The reason I'm here today with a group of trade unionists from the U.K. is because we all know that this election really matters not just to America but to the entire world."

Wilson believes: "Barack Obama is a fantastic candidate, and he is someone who can really transform the American economy and make a real difference for working families in the United States."

Wilson also went on a labor walk and talked with union members in the community to learn about where they stand on the election.

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO

Mark MacKenzie, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO

2 days left and I still think Mark MacKenzie said it best: "American workers are fed up, and we are willing to use all the power each one of us has when we go to cast our ballots – to redirect this nation and to move this country forward."

MacKenzie continues: "I'm anxious to say I did everything I could, we knocked on every door, we talked to every person, we wrote every letter, and we did it for all the right reasons."

Daily Union Spotlight – New Hampshire Building Trades

 

Sean McGarvey, AFL-CIO Building Trades Secretary Treasurer

The Building Trades provides a great example of what it means to be involved in this election.

Earlier in this election cycle Sean McGarvey, AFL-CIO Building Trades Secretary Treasurer spoke to union members and New Hampshire legislators about the idea of New Hampshire workers for New Hampshire work.

McGarvey made a very simple point: "By hiring New Hampshire workers for New Hampshire work we raise the standard of living for people in this state."

On this same topic Gail Kinney, a member of the New Hampshire Building Trades says: "We make up this community. We use the hospitals and we pay for state services. We want to be able to build these buildings. If Elliott Hospital is by law required to operate as a community benefit, part of that community benefit is letting your community build the hospital."

Kinney continues: "If we can really focus on making sure New Hampshire workers build New Hampshire's infrastructure that is going to build the entire economy for the state.

Brian Zahn, IUPAT District Council 35

In addition to Kinney and McGarvey speaking about the important issues to New Hampshire workers, members from the Building Trades went out and discussed with their union brothers and sisters what we as union members can do to make a difference in this election.

In Bow, New Hampshire at the Merrimack Station Power Plant, Brian Zahn, IUPAT District Council 35 says: "I'm handing out leaflets to inform union members about Barack Obama."

Dan McLaughlin, IUPAT District Council 35 explains: "Barack Obama is going to stand up for unions and it's about time the workers had someone on their side in Washington."

Building Trades really got together and made the Labor 2008 program work. Whether it was LIUNA members coming out for a labor walk, UA sending out local union mail, BAC handing out worksite leaflets, or IBEW at a phone bank, these unions in collaboration with others showed New Hampshire what the labor movement can do in an election.

Only one thing left to do so remember to get out and vote on Tuesday November 4th.

Bob Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO

Bob Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO

In New Hampshire this election was never about mobilizing just enough union members to win an election. Labor 2008 in New Hampshire is about reinforcing the labor movement throughout New England and building the type of coalition it will take to turn this country around after Barack Obama is elected President, Jeanne Shaheen is elected to the U.S. Senate, and Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter are sent back to the Congress. We have 3 days left to make sure we start out on the right track, and this election comes down to you, your family, and your friends. Make sure everyone gets out and votes.

Bob Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is optimistic about this election. He says: "We have a chance to represent working families again in America. We have an opportunity to elect new leaders and to start talking about issues that are important to us like education, health care, retirement security, and really restoring the promise of America."  Watch video of Haynes talking about the election before participating in a labor walk here.

Daily Union Spotlight – NPMHU Local 301, Leafleting

 

Ed Barnes, NPMHU Local 301

This election is looking pretty good right now, and it's because of the hard work of unions like NPMHU Local 301. Members from Local 301 were recently at one of their worksites handing out leaflets to get their union brothers and sisters informed before they go out to vote in the next few days.

Ed Barnes from Local 301 made it a point to talk to union members about the Employee Free Choice Act: "This legislation would allow workers to form unions without any intimidation from the employer and make it easier for workers to have a voice at their workplace. Obama, Shaheen, Shea-Porter, and Hodes all support this legislation."

Dave McCloskey, another member from Local 301 spoke with union members on their way to work and said: "We are handing out information on the upcoming election which compares the candidates and their policies. Make sure to share this information with your friends and remember to get out and vote."

Dave McClosky, NPMHU Local 301

Larry Varga, a member of Local 301 says: "We are trying to get the members informed about the election and talk to them about the candidates that support working families."

Varga explains: "I identify myself as a Republican, and I am supporting Barack Obama. I am supporting Obama because he supports the Employee Free Choice Act which would make it much easier for workers to form unions."

Varga continues: "Another reason I am supporting Obama is because he is for universal health care. Everyone in this country has the right to quality heath insurance, and Obama is going to make sure that this is the case."

Varga believes: "This country needs leaders that are able to make tough decisions and will make sure we restore the middle class. Those people are Barack Obama, Jeanne Shaheen, Carol Shea- Porter and Paul Hodes. Those are the people we need to put into office to stand up for workers rights."

Varga says: "It's our responsibility to get as many people as possible involved in this election – Independents, Republicans, Democrats, and undecided voters. Get out there and support your union. Get the vote out for America."

This is our chance to take America back for working men and women and to invest in our future.