New Mexico AFL-CIO Labor 2008

Five for Five in New Mexico!

Dear New Mexico Labor 2008,

We did it! A few months ago it was an almost laughable idea to turn the entire state of New Mexico blue, to elect Five of our Five endorsed candidates. But with your work, the work of the labor movement in New Mexico, we are sending Ben Ray Lujan, Harry Teague, Martin Heinrich, Tom Udall and Barack Obama to Washington D.C!

Senator Barack Obama brings hope to this country in a way that no presidential candidate before him could do. For the first time in history, we have elected an African American president. For the first time in history, young people turned out in record numbers to the polls.

Unions have struggled over the past couple decades as our rights and benefits were eroded by anti-worker administrations and the National Labor Relations Board. Working families are facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We are in an unpopular war. Our president is the laughing stock of the international community, and here at home working men and women are battling home foreclosures, the rising cost of food, gas and utilities, reduced health care benefits and an educational system in desperate need of repair. This election was our time to turn the country around and give it back to the working men and women who built it up. And we did it!

Thanks to you Labor 2008 ran the most comprehensive and successful program ever. Since the start of the Labor 2008 program in New Mexico, 1120 volunteers gave their time to fight for change. We distributed over half a million flyers through local union mailings and on 531 worksites. We grew to 110 release staff statewide. We ran satellite offices in cities all over the state. And 65% of our members voted before Election Day.

Here are the results…

Ben Ray Lujan won the north by 56-30%
Harry Teague took the south with 55-45%
Martin Heinrich gained victory in CD 1 with 55-45%
Tom Udall swept the state with 61-39%
And our new President of the United States, Barack Obama, won New Mexico with 57-42% and the country with 52-46%

We also claimed 54 Senate seats, with 4 more up for grabs!

 Congratulations New Mexico, we are now positioned to pass the Employee Free Choice Act in the United States! It was an honor to work together and I hope to work with you again soon.

In Solidarity,

Don Manning, NM Labor 2008 State Director

 

Election Day! New Mexico Labor 2008 Video!

Spotlight on New Mexico Federation of Labor

This blog is dedicated to the staff of the New Mexico Federation of Labor, Christine Trujillo, President, Chris Chavez, Executive Director, and Gabriela Melendez, Executive Secretary. These three remarkable individuals are the axis of the political scene in the New Mexico labor movement, and the staff and volunteers would like to thank them for their leadership and support throughout this election cycle. But this newsletter is also an opportunity for Christine, Chris and Gabriela to say a few words to us.

 

Dear New Mexico Labor 2008,

This was a phenomenal election year. We had an unprecedented among of support from volunteers release staff both in-state and out. Because of their support, New Mexico will have the most success it has ever had electing our endorsed candidates on from local races to the presidential. The New Mexico Federation of Labor thanks every one of you for your support.

In Solidarity,

Christine Trujillo, President NMFL

Dear New Mexico Labor 2008,

I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped us with the 5 for 5 NM Labor 2008 Project. The New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO could not have done it without your help. You were responsible for 16% of the votes cast in New Mexico. The result of this election is the product of your work.

We asked our leadership to send us their best to take a leadership role and they did. We asked for released staff and we received it from all over the country. We asked for volunteers and they came. In 2006 we asked them to support Working America, AFL-CIO. Over $500.000 was raised with a net of just under 60,000 new AFL-CIO members. Labor 2008 needed money and leadership delivered.

Again I want to thank each and everyone of your for your part in NMFL, AFL-CIO’s campaign to help elect candidates friendly to working family issues. I couldn’t be prouder than I am today.

In Solidarity

Chris E. Chavez
Executive Director, NMFL, AFL-CIO

Dear New Mexico Labor 2008,

I believe the Labor 2008 program is about making a difference.  Once Obama is elected, he will give back and make a difference for the working people. This election is a decisive point for the future of our country.  This program allows people to make an informed choice and gives them the truth about the candidates.  I am honored to be part of a group of people willing to stand up and fight for what is right, and that fight makes the difference.  I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers in New Mexico who have worked vigorously to elect Obama, Udall, Heinrich, Teague and Lujan.

In Solidarity,

Gabriela Melendez, Executive Secretary

Spotlight on Building Trades

Spotlight on Building Trades

The Building Trades always play a key role in elections. Building Trades released staff from IBEW, IUPAT, LIUNA, SMWIA, UA, and USWA. The Ironworkers and IUOE also participated through local union mailings, and sending members to phone banks and walks. The Building Trades sent out regular local union mailings both as individual unions and as the Building Trades as a whole; they distributed hundreds of thousands of worksite leaflets, and participated in all phone banks and walks. Labor 2008 wouldn’t be nearly as effective without the work of the Building Trades. 

 

 

“We send out mailings to our members on the candidates that we have endorsed and related information that they should be aware of,” says Jerry Romero, Business Agent for Ironworkers Local 495. “We strongly support Barack Obama for president. He believes in unions and the Employee Free Choice Act, and he opposes NAFTA. We want to make sure that our members support him.”

 

Robert Aubert, President of IUPAT Local 823 recognizes that the Employee Free Choice Act is at the forefront of the campaign. “We need to push Employee Free Choice Act so that Congress will act and the next president will sign it. We have to solicit support from all parties to get this pro-worker legislation passed.”

 

“I feel motivated to work with the labor movement because I believe in fair working conditions and the necessity to raise the standards of living of the workers I represent and their families,” says Chris Frentzel, Business Manager of IBEW Local 611.

Clayton Benally, President of Four Corners CLC and member of IUOE Local 953 says, “The most important issue on election is getting political leaders who are working family friendly and that share our agenda for allow collective bargaining, workers rights, help to reclaim some of the rights we have lost over the years.”

“Five minutes talking to a co-worker about why you support working family candidates is all we really need to carry the election,” says Bill Baggett, B. A. IUOE Local 953 “People are not happy with the price of gas or dependence on foreign oil and they should get involved to change it.”

 “Barack Obama is the president we need to bring about change in this country,” says Tom Montano, Business Agent UA Local 412. “He is proposing health care for everyone and an economy that works for all.”

 

 “We’re involved in Labor 2008 for survival purposes. We need to elect working family-friendly candidates in order to continue our operations,” says Richard Espinoza, SMWIA Local 49.

 

“Local 49 does a lot of worksite leafleting to help members make informed choices on voting for candidates who support working class people,” says Ray Diaz, Business Manager, SMWIA Local 49. “I feel the crunch with economy during the last eight years. It’s important for the middle class to have living wage jobs with health care benefits and pension.”

 

“I feel motivated to be very involved in Labor 2008 because I see the past eight years as an assault on working families,” says Greg Chavez, Political Coordinator LIUNA Local 16. “Some people work two or three jobs just to make ends meet, and that’s not the way this country was meant to be.”

 

“There are a lot of people who are ill informed about the issues,” says Marvin Duran, President BAC Local 3. “They catch sound bites of information disguised as patriotism or liberty, and they go with that. We need to let them know what is really at stake.”

 

“I believe in Obama. I believe that he will give back to the working class,” says Mary Polnaszek, Ironworkers Local 495. “I’ve raised two kids as a single mother, and I’ve been working at the union for 30 years. I wouldn’t have been able to raise my kids without my union job. Even now, I am lower middle class, but I want a candidate in office who will make it fair for all Americans.”

 

LIUNA Worksite Leafleting – Funny!

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/09/liunas-version.html

 

Ironworkers Lead the Way with Local Union Mail!

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/09/ironworkers-lea.html

 

Labor Leader of the Week - Robert Aubert, IUPAT 823

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqPjL-KDayA

 

Labor Leader of the Week– Tom Montano, UA Local 412

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rdNYCES9Rk

 

Labor Leader of the Week – Greg Chavez, LIUNA Local 16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUJpcR37bzs

 

Release Staff Highlights – Ray Shorter, LIUNA

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/09/release-staff-2.html

 

LIUNA Local 16 Worksite Leafleting

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/09/liuna-local-16.html

 

Labor Leader of the Week – Tom Montano UA Local 412

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rdNYCES9Rk

 

Release Staff Highlights: Rick Blea UA Local 412

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/09/release-staff-4.html

 

UA Local 412 Local Union Mailing

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/10/ua-local-412-lo.html

 

Daniel Rivera UA Local 412 Pledges to Labor Walks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6LX4gmD430

 

Labor Leader – Ervin Jackson, IBEW 387 and President of NAL-NISH CLC

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/09/labor-leader-er.html

 

Labor Leader of the Week - Chris Frentzel, IBEW Local 611

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8WbQjc0kWU

 

Local Union Spotlight – SMWIA Local 49

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/07/local-union-s-1.html

 

Local Union Spotlight – Ironworkers Local 495

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/07/local-union-spo.html

 

Local Union Spotlight – IUOE Local 953

http://labor2008.typepad.com/nm/2008/08/local-union-s-1.html

Zone Three Halloween Phone Bank

CD 3 held a Halloween phone bank last night with 42 participants. Union members came dressed in some very scary costumes. The most frightening was a Sarah Palin costume, complete with a rifle, and Joe the Plumber. But more importantly, the callers spoke with many union members, encouraging them to vote early and to support our endorsed candidates.

“A woman I spoke to on the phones told me that her daughter owned a mortgage company that is going down the tubes. She said that if Obama is elected, the economy might go back up and she will be able to make a living again,” says Deborah Cohen, IATSE Local 480.

“I’m phone banking because I want Obama to win. The union supports me when I have problems at my job, and Obama is willing to fight for unions,” says Monica Vigil, CWA.

“My stepfather has worked with NATCA for 24 years. Little by little, control towers are being privatized, and they are trying to force my stepfather out of work, which will destroy his pension. I am calling for him,” says Paul Merritt, IATSE Local 480.

“One of the most important rights we have as Americans is the right to vote,” says Lauren Petzke, IATSE Local 480. “The only way to keep America as the people’s country is to exercise that right to vote.”

 

Spotlight on AFGE

As Federal employees, AFGE is one of the unions most directly affected by decisions in Washington. AFGE members understand the importance of this election to their jobs and futures. The most impressive contribution that AFGE makes to Labor 2008 is they turn out their leadership to walks and phone banks. AFGE adopts Tuesdays for phone banking in Albuquerque, and every Tuesday we see the local union president and union officers leading by example. AFGE locals also send out regular local union mailings.

“I’m volunteering with Labor 2008 because I support Senator Obama. I like his approach about getting working people involved instead of relying on Congress to do everything for us,” says Edward McHenry, Executive Vice President AFGE Local 4041. “I work at the Social Security office, and I don’t want to see our jobs and Social Security benefits privatized. We see from recent stock market activity why privatization is not good for Americans.” 

“In the Social Security office we are facing budget cuts and increasing workloads,” says Josie Marrujo, President Local 4041. “It is difficult to work as a government employee under the current administration. As federal workers we are at the mercy of Congressional decisions.”

“I work with Labor 2008 because this administration cuts funding for Social Security, Veterans, and other offices. The cuts will not only affect government employees, but civilians as well because it is a national security issue,” says Joel Zamora. “I hope that Obama gets in office so that federal employees and the general public will have a better life.” 

“Obama is a breath of fresh air for this country,” says Denise Capeless, President AFGE Local 2063. “I see him honestly attempting to fight for justice and working families, I want to show him our support.”

The most important issue to most AFGE members is the economy.  “Our pay is not keeping up with the economy,” says Virginia Gonzales, AFGE Local 2063 Retiree. “Gas prices are rising, and everything else along with it, but our wages and benefits stay the same. Working families are falling behind.”

“People aren’t taking vacations because they can’t afford it,” says Dorothy Beckner, Secretary-Treasurer AFGE Local 2063. “Gas prices are affecting us at the core of our family lives.”

Kudos AFGE!

AFSCME Worksite Leafleting 10-28

AFSCME continues as one of the leaders in worksite leafleting. Today they worksite leafleted at Pino Yards with help from AFT, LIUNA, NALC and OPEIU.

“We send people to worksite leaflet because it is important for union members to understand the importance of this election, not only in passing the Employee Free Choice Act, but also that candidates that AFSCME and the AFL-CIO endorse will help unions and city workers to get stronger contracts and better health care and benefits,” says Andrew Padilla, President AFSCME Council 18.

At Pino Yards I met Marco Holloway who told me why he is supporting Barack Obama for President. “I support Barack Obama because he is the best candidates on issues such as health care and taxes on the middle class. This country needs change and I believe that Barack Obama is the candidate that I can trust,” says Marco.

Kudos AFSCME!

NM Early Vote Locations

As a swing state with several competitive races, it will be essential that as many of our union brothers and sisters participate in this election as possible.  Early voting helps make voting more convenient and is a key part of the Labor 2008 program.  Vote Early and avoid the lines on Election Day!

Early voting is casting a ballot in person before Election Day.  Many counties offer voting at locations other than the County Clerk’s office to make voting as accessible as possible.  It’s convenient because you can go to any early vote site in your county, it doesn’t have to be the one closest to your home or work; ANY early vote site is available to everyone registered in the county. 

In every county, early voting will start on Tuesday, October 7th, through November 1st.  Several counties will also have other sites open for Early Voting.  They will be open starting October 18th.

For a list of Early Vote locations click here: Download NM_Early_Vote_updated.xls (47.5K)

Exclusive Interview with Richard Trumka

Richard Trumka is a third generation coal miner from Pennsylvania who serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO. Lately he travels around the country visiting battleground states. This week he was in New Mexico.

“This is most important election we will face in our lifetime. It will decide what direction this country goes in – whether we want an economy that supports the rich or an economy that gives workers a fair chance and growing wages, fair health care and pensions. The other AFL-CIO officers and I are traveling a lot now to encourage our members,” says Richard Trumka.

“Our members have done a great job this cycle. We’ve have hundreds of thousands of volunteers going door to door, participating in phone banks, worksite leafleting, and sending out local union mailings, but we need more volunteers these last couple of weeks to bring this thing home.”

“We need 60 votes in the Senate for a filibuster proof majority to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. In New Mexico we have chance to pick up three House seats and a Senate seat and to elect Barack Obama. Think of the message that will send to the rest of the country.”

“The biggest things union members can do are to continue to volunteer through talking to friends and family, phone banking, and door knocks. If you are local union officer, you should release your entire staff the last several days. Volunteer because it’s an investment in your future, in your kids future, in your country’s future, and it is a chance to change America and make it worker friendly again.”

“The Employee Free Choice Act is the most important issue to me because we know that unions help distribute wages more fairly. 60 million people in America would join a union today if they could, but because of the employer dominated system, those workers won’t get a chance. When we pass the Employee Free Choice Act, workers will have dignity in their jobs, more people will have health care, pensions, and participate in democratic process.”

“I grew up with workers, and I love workers,” says Richard. “Whenever I go to an event like this rally in New Mexico I come away rejuvenated.”

Richard Trumka Rally

The IBEW hall was ablaze in color yesterday, as over 120 union members came out in their orange, green, blue, yellow and black t-shirts to attend a rally with Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer. Richard is traveling all over the U.S. visiting the states of most critical importance in the upcoming election. New Mexico is proud and honored to be among the most critical states for Presidential, Senate and Congressional elections.

Unions present were AFGE, AFM, AFSCME, AFT, CWA, IAM, IBEW, IBT, ILWU, IRON, IUPAT, LIUNA, NALC, NATCA, OPCM, OPEIU, SMWIA, UA, UMWA, and USWA. Channel 13 news was also present.

Martin Heinrich, Congressional Candidate for CD 1 and Harry Teague, Congressional Candidate for CD 2 spoke at the rally to an enthusiastic crowd.

“Tens of thousands of New Mexicans voted early this year. The more we continue to vote early, the more likely we will wake up on November 5th with a clean sweep,” says Martin Heinrich. Heinrich is in a very close race, but we continue to push the Congressional race hard in CD 1.

“Union folks are the reason that Obama, Udall, Lujan, Heinrich and myself are going to win in November,” says Harry Teague. “Working families need change, and we are going to give it to you.” Teague is also in a close race, but Labor 2008 in CD 2 is making sure that unions are present at every Teague event so that he feels our support.

When Richard Trumka came to the podium, he spoke with passion about the 40,000 manufacturing plants closed in the United States since 2000, and the 350,000 manufacturing jobs lost. Working families can’t afford health care or decent pensions. Richard pointed out that while the current administration claims not to have enough money to fund our educational system, somehow we were able to find $700 billion to bail out private firms on Wall Street!

“Working families are not the priority in Washington right now,” says Trumka. “But we are going to change Washington and make working families number one.”

Trumka expressed his heart felt support for Senator Obama. “Obama understand that it was the labor movement who rebuilt America after WWII, and given the chance, we will rebuild it again, starting when Obama signs the Employee Free Choice Act,” says Trumka.

After the speech, Richard told me that seeing such an excited crowd of good union people motivated him to continue his trek across the United States. We want him to know that listening to such an inspirational speaker motivates us to continue our fight here in New Mexico.

More Pics at Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/labor2008/sets/72157608308645364/