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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."
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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.
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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."
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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."
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