Richardson: Union Membership is Good for America’s Workers

Angie Crouse, a member of the National Writer’s Union/UAW based in Tempe, Ariz., describes the latest in the AFL-CIO “Working Families Vote 2008″ town hall series, in which New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) met with union members.

Gov. Bill Richardson was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of union members and supporters at the Electrical Workers (IBEW) hall in Phoenix this morning. He started the day by telling the crowd:

“This election is about helping the middle class, ordinary men and women who work hard every day, play by the rules and need to be supported. I believe having union membership is good for the American worker, good for higher wages and good for heath care. Unions are so important, that as president I would name a union member as secretary of labor, and I would replace the entire National Labor Relations Board.”

Richardson outlined his plans for universal health care, responsible immigration reform, trade policy, ending the war in Iraq, changing the current No Child Left Behind Act so it works, ensuring the safety net of Social Security is there for future generations and expanding the Employee Free Choice Act nationally.

He also pointed out that many cities are growing rapidly, especially many in the West. These cities have unique needs that need attention, which is why he chose to come to Phoenix for his AFL-CIO town hall forum.

There are several key issues in the West that are important in this presidential race: water, agriculture, growth, and as I noticed when driving from the airport, traffic congestion is a major problem here.

Several workers had the opportunity to tell the governor their day-to-day frustrations with working at job where talk of organizing meant disciplinary action. One said that working for the state of Arizona meant no collective bargaining. That in turn leads to high turnover, low moral, and low wages. A house painter who spoke in Spanish told Richardson through an interpreter that her employer pays her below the minimum wage, offers health care coverage that is so costly that neither she nor her 4-year-old son has insurance and does not provide water or other relief when she is painting houses in 110-degree heat.

Richardson replied to her first in Spanish and then to the crowd in English:

The most important thing is to make healthcare insurance available and affordable for every American. Second, we need an expansion of childcare tax credits. Third, we need to look at a way to get low-wage workers training for a better job. Education is key—learn a trade, and learn English so you can compete.

Several union members said they support Richardson because he speaks to the issues that matter the most to them, and added that he has a proven track record and the experience needed to be the president of the United States. T.J. Mackay, Sun City Fire Fighters (IAFF Local 3573), agreed.

He’s been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize four times. He worked with U.N. and treated everyone there with respect—from the ambassadors right down to the workers. He was instrumental in the past negotiations with North Korea, and having an established relationship with them is significant. We want to do everything we can to prevent another 9/11, and as a firefighter, that is of utmost importance.

The crowd included letter carriers, pipe fitters, electrical workers, firefighters, service industry workers—all who clearly appreciated Richardson’s sense of humor, ease with the audience and frankness when asked pointed questions. In turn, Richardson thanked the crowd for giving up their personal time to listen to his ideas of how to better our country.

Previous town hall forums have included Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), Sen. Joe Biden (Del.), Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.), former Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) and Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.). There is an upcoming town hall July 21 in Columbus, Ohio, with Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio).

Find out more about all the candidates, and get easy access to video clips, polling, the latest political news from blogs around the country and more at the new AFL-CIO Working Families Vote 2008 website.

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