AFL-CIO Pennsylvania Labor 2008 Blog

Pennsylvania's Labor 2008 Program in Full Swing

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has kicked its political program into high gear. Last week, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO General Board affirmed its commitment to get out the union vote to elect Sen. Barack Obama and a working family-friendly Congress.

 

The presidential contest in Pennsylvania was decided by a few percentage points in 2000 and 2004, and it’s a crucial state this year as well. Every vote will count, and a strong, energized union movement will make the difference.

 

The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO’s Labor 2008 political program already is mobilizing members across the state through worksite leafleting, door-to-door walks and more. Volunteers around the state are educating union members about Obama’s record and his vision for the country.

 

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President William George says Obama is a candidate who’s on the side of working families, not corporate special interests.

Barack Obama comes from a working-class family, with working-class values. He fought for equal pay, minimum wage, prevailing wage improvements, card check, responsible bidder and unemployment for locked-out workers. He stands up for working people and he will turn our economy around so that all Americans will benefit from fair trade, affordable health care, pension protections and the right to form a union.

George also announced the state federation’s endorsements in all 19 of the state’s U.S. House districts, as well as for the state House, Senate, auditor and treasurer.

 

These candidates have proven themselves to be the friends and supporters of working families. They understand that workers are struggling in this economy with stagnant wages, soaring prices for health care, gas and food. They advocate and support an agenda that mirrors the priorities of the labor movement. We are confident that they will put this country back on track toward prosperity and opportunity for all, not the few.

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire from western Pennsylvania’s 4th District, is one of the four new members of Congress elected in 2006, and he understands the union vote was crucial in sending him and other pro-worker candidates to Congress from Pennsylvania that year.

The reason we had the change that we saw in November of 2006 was because of the work of organized labor and of working families getting involved in the political process, talking about health care, talking about education costs and fuel costs, Social Security and pensions. We need to continue moving forward, talking about those issues, and we’re going to continue this fight through November.

Altmire is a supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act which he calls “very necessary” to ensure workers’ freedom to form unions and fight for their rights in the workplace.

 

In addition to Altmire, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has endorsed three other new members running for their critical first re-election: Reps. Joe Sestak (7th District), Patrick Murphy (8th District) and Chris Carney (10th District).

 

For a full list of federal endorsements, check out the Pennsylvania page at Working Families Vote 2008.

 

 

BCTGM Local 464 Leaflets at Wilbur Chocolate Co. to Let Members Know that Barack Obama Stands with Working Families

It was a busy time at 5 a.m., outside the gates of the Wilbur Chocolate plant in Lititz, Pa., recently. Workers—members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 464—were leaving from the third shift and entering the plant for the first shift.

There to greet them with leaflets on Barack Obama's record of supporting working families were fellow BCTGM Local 464 members Jake Long and Bob Huffman. Even at that early hour, the chocolate factory workers showed a great deal of interest in the information and political discussion.

Says Huffman:

It is important to be out here talking to our members because this is the true democratic process. Democracy requires that people be educated and get involved. Passing out leaflets and making sure our members know that Barack Obama is the best candidate for working people is a good way to engage them and make sure their voice is heard.

The backbone of Labor 2008’s mobilization is member-to-member contact. The reason this contact is so effective, says Long, is that

union members trust other union members because they know they have the same interests. The union protects the members’ job and improves their standard of living so they know that the union cares about them. That is why that member-to-member contact at the worksite is so important.

In addition to the Wilbur plant gate leafleting, Local 464 members have distributed fliers at other plants, including two large Hershey’s chocolate factories, and plan to continue leafleting at every plant regularly until the election in November.

Long says that along with the plant gate actions, the local will get the message out that Obama’s on the side of working families with local union mail, member-to-member phone banks and labor walks.

PA AFL-CIO Announces Endorsements for Statewide Row Offices, U.S. Congress and State Legislature

On Thursday, July 24th, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Executive Council met in Harrisburg at the AFSCME District Council 13 Conference Center to reaffirm the AFL-CIO's endorsement of Barack Obama for President and to make endorsements for the U.S. House of Representatives, and for the State Legislature.

"Barack Obama comes from a working class family, with working class values," said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George.  "He fought for equal pay, minimum wage, prevailing wage improvements, majority sign up, responsible bidder and unemployment for locked-out workers.  He stands up for working people and he will turn our economy around so that all Americans will benefit from fair trade, affordable health care, pension protections and the right to form a union."

In announcing the other endorsements for statewide seats, U.S. Congress and State Legislature, President George said, "These candidates have proven themselves to be the friends and supporters of working families.  They understand that workers are struggling in this economy with stagnant wages, soaring prices for health care, gas and food.  They advocate and support an agenda that mirrors the priorities of the labor movement.  We are confident that they will put this country back on track toward prosperity and opportunity for all, not the few."

President Bill George asked that the union leaders present remember the Pennsylvania labor movement's past political success.  "Without the labor movement's involvement in 2000 and 2004 we would have very different representation in Congress.  But we did reach out to our members and they performed in a tremendous way."

"That is the power of your leadership," President Bill George Continued.  "Right here in this room, every one of you, if you sit this one out we are in trouble.  But if you are out swinging that bat you will bring home the vote like we did in 2000 and 2004."

Said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Bloomingdale, "These endorsements are not only a stamp of approval; it marks the continuation of building the biggest political mobilization of our union households in the history of Pennsylvania.  On election day union members and their families will play a major role in deciding the direction of the nation."

"We all know that member to member contact is the most important," said Secretary Treasurer Richard Bloomingdale. "It's going to be a tough race this year but as leadership you can do something about it.  You can get up on the Working Families Toolkit and order those leaflets that explain where Barack Obama and John McCain stand on working family issues.  You can order fliers that support our endorsed down-ballet candidates.  And you can get them out to your members to ensure that we are successful in 2008."

Meet Your Release Staff: Bill Herbert, USW Local 5652

Bill Herbert is a political coordinator of USW Local 5652 based in Wilkes-Barre.  Herbert first got involved as a volunteer, but after coming out year after year to knock on doors his international released him with the labor movement's political program in 2002. Again released this year for the Presidential election cycle, Herbert's responsibilities include making sure local unions are ordering and distributing worksite leaflets, coordinating volunteers for phone banks and labor walks, and moving the Employee Free Choice Act Million Member Mobilization petitions.

"The labor movement is a lot more powerful than people like to give it credit for being," said Herbert.  "In 2006 we elected candidates to office in this area who wouldn't have stood a change without us and it is important to me to be a part of that.  I think every member of the labor movement should feel that way. We can be a great force for change but only if everyone gets involved."

That sort of power and member involvement in turn depends on union leadership constantly communicating with its members. Herbert said that receiving information from the union is important to members.  "Members trust the local union more because they know that their interests are the same.  When it comes down to your wage and your job, you know your union has your interests in mind. Workers know that their union doesn't want them to lose their job.  Everyone is on the same page so that information from the union is that much more valuable."

"We also make sure that we are only giving member information on the issues.  We don't tell them how to vote or make it too much about the candidates.  Instead we say 'if you want someone who is going to support you and your issues then here are the voting records of our two candidates.  If you want to vote for your issues then it is obvious that Barack Obama is the candidate for the labor movement.  But we let members come to their own decision.  We just want to make sure it is an educated decision."

Herbert emphasized that implementing just any one aspect of the Labor 2008 is not enough to win an election and make a difference in November. “To me it is everything all together," said Herbert.  “The worksite leafleting is the most effective because the information goes straight into the hands of the members.  But local union mail is important, too.  Members appreciate hearing from their leaders and most people read that piece of mail before anything else. And the walks and the phone banks are a great way to follow up on that initial contact at the worksite or the home.”

 

Last week Bill Herbert joined other union members and working people in Wilkes-Barre to protest John McCain's anti-worker social security policy.  John McCain supports the privatization of social security and Bill Herbert, along with other members of the labor movement, gathered last Wednesday to remind John McCain of the financial struggles working families face in Pennsylvania every day.

Labor Leader of the Week: Wendell W. Young, IV

Wendell W. Young, IV is the President of UFCW Local 1776, which represents more than 23,000 workers in Southeast, Northeast and Central Pennsylvania.  Elected President in 2004, Young traces his early involvement in the labor movement to his father – an active union member and an elected union officer.  Growing up in a union household gave Young a unique awareness of the labor movement and working peoples' issues.  "From a young age I wanted to go to work as soon as I could and be a union member," said Young. 

At the age of 16 Young went to work at a supermarket and joined a Teamsters local union.  "I attended every meeting and read the contract from cover to cover.  I was very excited about becoming a union member, but it wasn't until later that I started to think of the labor movement as a career." 

Not long after he started working, the supermarket shut down.  "I saw many people the same age as my parents lose the best job they ever had and then I watched them struggle to find another job that would give them healthcare and a pension," said Young.  "It was a real eye-opening experience for me, so when I got a new job at another supermarket I started to think about things differently.  My job went from being a means to put money in my pocket to something much bigger than that.  I volunteered to organize whenever I had the opportunity and eventually, in 1983, I got a full time job with my union."

The many organizing campaigns Young worked on throughout his career have shaped the way he views the labor movement's role in politics.  "Legislation affects us and our jobs in every way imaginable.  It is crucial that we elect politicians who are sensitive to the needs of working families and working family issues.  Whether it is the Employee Free Choice Act, healthcare, pensions, or retirement, it is incredibly important to elect people who care about those issues."

This is why Young believes the Labor 2008 program is so important.  "Here in Pennsylvania we are very proud of the Labor 2008 program.  A year and a half ago because of worksite leafleting, local union mailings, phone banks and labor walks we were able to elect U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and four new U.S. Congressmen who are strong on labor issues.  Right here in Eastern Pennsylvania we have Joe Sestak, Chris Carney, and Patrick Murphy – all  elected because of the labor movement's hard work."

This year, Young said, is an incredibly important election. He explained:  "We have an opportunity to do three crucial things.  First, we need to elect Barack Obama because he is a strong supporter of workers' rights.  He supports the Employee Free Choice Act, healthcare, pensions, and job protection.

"Secondly, we need to focus on reelecting those U.S. Congressmen who are strong on labor.  They are the ones in charge of putting the legislation we need onto the President's desk."

"And third, we want to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to build on the majority we elected two years ago.  We have highly qualified men and women running all across the country who can take advantage of a strong top-of-the-ticket to expand the pro-labor majorities we elected in the House and the Senate.

"I believe that with the Labor 2008 program and everyone's involvement we will be able to elect the right candidate for labor, Barack Obama, and send him into the White House with an even larger pro-working family majority in both chambers on Capitol Hill."

Labor Leaders Support Barack Obama: Don Siegel, IBEW Third District Vice President

IBEW, Third District Vice President Don Siegel explains why Barack Obama is the labor movement's candidate this year.  "Barack Obama has continued to support labor-friendly legislation and has proven himself to be a friend of working families.  I believe whole-heartedly that he is the best candidate for the labor movement," said Siegel.  Barack Obama supports the Employee Free Choice Act, national healthcare, and the protection of American jobs.

Working People in Wilkes-Barre Tell John McCain To Keep His Hands Off Social Security

Yesterday in Wilkes-Barre upwards of 70 active and retired union members rallied outside a town hall meeting attended by Senator John McCain to spotlight and protest his recent statement that Social Security is “a disgrace.”

Members from AFGE, AFSCME, ARA, IBEW, IBT, UFCW, UNITE HERE, and USW held signs that read “Hands Off My Social Security” and highlighted that the program has kept millions out of poverty.  Greater Wilkes-Barre Central Labor Council President Sam Bianco and AFSCME retiree John Benio spoke to the crowd about the importance of Social Security.

Ralliers were responding to Senator McCain’s remarks from a July 7 town hall meeting, where he said that “Americans have got to understand that we are paying present-day retirees with the taxes paid by young workers in America today.  And that's a disgrace.”

“When it comes to our members and Social Security I know that there are people struggling to afford basic needs,” said Greater Wilkes-Barre Central Labor Council President Sam Bianco in his address to the crowd.  “How can we talk about privatizing Social Security when there are people hurting now and having trouble paying for medical care, groceries, and gas?”

“John McCain is sending a message to working people by supporting the privatization of social security,” said AFGE Local 1699 President Yolanda Riggsbee.  “He is telling us that he is anti-worker and against securing people’s basic needs.  Looking at the way the stock market is going right now and talking about privatizing Social Security is strange check-book balancing to me.  And it shows that McCain is not concerned with the financial future of working people.”

Last week media accounts revealed that despite Senator McCain’s views toward Social Security, he received $23,157 in Social Security benefits in 2007, an average of $1,929.75 each month.

AFT Local 400 Gets Message Out to Members Through Local Union Mail That Barack Obama Supports Working People

Mary Ann Cupples, Trustee, Executive Board Chair, and Political Action Committee Chair of AFT Local 400 and Sylvia Wilson, Secretary of the Executive Board and Assistant to the President of AFT Local 400 discuss the importance of local union mail in reaching out to members about important issues.  Last week AFT Local 400 sent out 4,100 pieces of local union mail to their members to let them know about Barack Obama's record of supporting working families.

"We want our members to be as informed as possible," said Wilson.  "This way our members are armed with  knowledge about the issues that are most important to them so when they go into the voting booth they can make a decision that is in their best interest." 

Cupples believes that receiving this information from the local union is important.  "It means a lot to the members to get a letter from their local.  They trust the leadership and so they listen.  We know that Barack Obama is the best candidate for our members and that is why we sent out this piece of mail."

Meet Your Release Staff: Ron Ennis, APWU, Lehigh Valley Area Local

Ron Ennis is a Labor 2008 release staff member from the APWU Lehigh Valley Area Local, located in Allentown. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Central Labor Council executive board and editor of the Lehigh Valley Central Labor Council newsletter.  Ennis first worked as a release staff member in 1996 and continued to return as release staff every election year since. He brings experience and dedication to responsibilities that include managing phone banks, labor walks, and worksite leafleting. 

Ennis said that he was always politically active as a union member but being a release staff allows him to not only engage on a deeper level himself, but also help others plug into the election process.  "I just grew up in a family that liked talking about politics," he said.  "I was always active and involved.  But being a release staff member has just given me a greater appreciation for the positive effect that union members can have in an election's outcome."

Since his first year as a release staff member Ennis says that the issues have become more urgent.  "During the Bush Administration we were worried about the war, about the economy, and about jobs and healthcare," said Ennis.  "Now, we are still worried about all of those issues but even more so than before.  The Bush Administration did not make those issues better, it made them worse.  With John McCain we are looking at more of the same failed policies and so it is crucial that union members get to work early."

"In response to the urgency of the issues, the Labor 2008 program itself is more elaborate and concentrated," said Ennis.  "There is an effort this year to start early and get on the ground sooner than in the past.  We know that we cannot afford to wait until after Labor Day to start educating members and asking them to get involved.  This year is too important and we have to start now."

Ennis is a big proponent of member to member contact and feels that the labor walks are the most effective way to reach out to members and educate them about the issues.  "I love the labor walks because the interactions are so personal. It is just a discussion between two union members about issues that are important to union members.  That union member knows that I am their neighbor and that I have the same concerns that they do. I try to make specific connections between politics and what is going on with their job so that the issues are less abstract and more relevant."

“I think people appreciate the labor walks and like to see other union members out there leading the charge.  I think they like that presence.  That is why I think labor walks and worksite leafleting events are so effective,” said Ennis.  “But it is really all of the aspects of the program that are important.  Worksite leaflets, local union mail, member to member phone banks and labor walks, all help equip our members with the knowledge they need to vote for their own best interest.  With our early start this year I am confident that we can elect the right candidate, Barack Obama, to address the urgent issues.”

Labor Leader of the Week: Scott Malley, IRON Local 3

Scott Malley, Business Manager of Ironworkers Local 3 in Pittsburgh, grew up in a union household.  His father was an ironworker for many years and Malley knew from a very young age that "I could attribute every piece of bread or any clothes on my back to the fact that my dad was a union member.  He made a decent wage as a union ironworker and so I knew when I was looking for a job after high school that I wanted it to be a union job, too."

Malley sees a direct connection between the values that his father instilled in him when he was growing up and the union values that guide his present day work.  "It was easy for me to want to give back to the union," he said, "because the union provided a safe workplace, a decent wage, healthcare, and a pension for my father.  When I joined the union I wanted to give back to the organization that is allowing me to take care of my family, send my children to school, and feel confident in the fact that when the time comes I will be able to retire comfortably."

But Malley is concerned that fewer people can feel the confidence that he feels in their job these days because of the failed policies of the Bush Administration.  "Under the Bush Administration unions are suffering, and as far as I can tell John McCain will just be more of that," said Malley.  "We've seen jobs leave the country and we've seen union density drop.  This is all due to the failed policies that McCain supports. On the other hand Barack Obama stands for a lot of the same values that we, as union members, stand for.  He has a keen respect for what unions bring to the table and understands that the middle class needs unions to survive."

One of the ways that Malley is reaching out to his many members this year is through worksite leaflets and mailings.  "I believe that using the Working Families Toolkit and getting out those leaflets is very effective.  Receiving a mailing or a leaflet at the workplace really helps highlight the issues. The fact that union leaders are bringing up issues that impact union members' jobs at the worksite and in their home is very powerful. "

"My members just want to take care of their families and live a comfortable life, knowing that they will be able to afford to retire comfortably when the time comes.  That is what the union gives working families. This year it is up to union members and working people to elect a candidate, Brack Obama, who will help preserve the union way of life."