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In Kentucky, Early Birds Plan to Get the Worms Out of Office |
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Bernard Pollack, AFL-CIO field coordinator, sends us this report on the campaign to elect a working family-friendly governor in Kentucky. Kentucky union volunteer activists are learning the nuts and bolts of political mobilization to turn out the working family vote for Steve Beshear for governor on Nov. 6.
The sun wasn’t near being up at 4:15 a.m. Tuesday, but more than 50 local union coordinator trainees were. Packed on a bus and armed with fliers outlining Steve Beshear’s stance on economic issues, they were on their way to leaflet Louisville’s Rubbertown industrial park, where 5,500 union members are employed at several locations. Their goal at the shift change action: get the information into the hands of as many of those union members as possible.
United Steelworkers (USW) member Mike Donta, Labor 2007 Zone 4 coordinator, says:
I’m just amazed at the turnout, everyone woke up and were really energized.
The 50 early morning risers are all local union coordinators and the pre-dawn action was part of their three-day intensive training session conducted by the AFL-CIO. These rank-and-file activists joined us from every part of the state and represent a great diversity of unions, including AFGE, Communications Workers of America, Electrical Workers, Iron Workers, IUE-CWA, Operating Engineers, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, UAW, USW and more.
On Monday, the local union activists got an overview of the Labor 2007 program and a broad sense of the political landscape and the current economic condition. The next day they learned about worksite mobilization techniques and tools, tips on talking to union members about politics and guidelines on recruiting volunteers.
A trio of volunteers from IUE-CWA Local 83766 in Elizabethtown—John McCrady, Tommy Clemons and Houston Logston—took part in the training and say they are energized and ready to roll. Says McCrady.
We are excited to participate in worksite leafleting for the first time, We’re heading home tomorrow to leaflet our workplace and others around E-Town.
Clemons says political activism is something all union members can get involved in.
You don’t have to be a union officer to be a union leader. The message we have is very important. Working families need to stand behind our endorsed candidates.
Several Iron Workers took part in the training, including Dave Kolbe, the union’s national political director. In a video on YouTube, he explains how the three-day training has equipped union members for the race. Click here to watch.
Kentucky working families are seeking to elect Beshear and unseat Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who has time and again acted against the interests of working people. He actively tries to attack and reduce bargaining every way he can—from supporting the so-called “right to work” for less to attacking union security clauses. He supports policies that encourage low-wage strategies to ensure that only low-paying jobs are created.
As the training wrapped up, the union activists got some firsthand evidence that union political action and the techniques and tools they learned to use do indeed work. Rep. John Yarmuth (D) told the group that without the labor movement’s mobilization, he wouldn’t have been able to win last fall and send five-term incumbent and Bush administration favorite Anne Northrup packing.
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Paid for by AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Treasury Fund.
2 Comments
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Sisters and Brothers,
This is a parody For the campaign against the Gov in Kentucky. Please pass it on to Faye Liebermann. The original song is over a hundred years old so I do not think there is a copy write problem. I picked a song which is well know so your protestors would know the melody. The power of a song is un-measurable when used for a cause. The parody is at the end with the words in( ) below the original I claim not rights nor compensation I hope it helps. If you do not use it then think about another song or just enjoy.
In solidarity,
Dave Hurlburt CWA local 9410
dghurlb@pacbell.net
650-355-8102
Won’t you come home, Bill Bailey, won’t you come home?
(Won’t you go home, Ernie Fletcher, won’t you go home?)
She moans the whole night long.
(You’ve done us working people wrong)
I’ll do the cookin’, honey, I’ll pay the rent
(We need Steve Beshear, honey he’s heaven sent)
I know that I’ve done you wrong.
(Gov. Fletcher has done us wrong)
I remember that rainy evenin’
(We’ll remember on election evening,)
I drove you out with nothin’ but a fine tooth comb
(We need to send Gov Ernie Fletcher back home)
I know that I’m to blame, well ain’t that a shame,
(We know he’s to blame he plays the rich mans game)
Bill Bailey, won’t you please come home.
( Ernie we’re going to send you home)
Won’t you come home Bill Bailey, won’t you come home?
(Won’t you go home Ernie Fletcher, we need to send you home)
She moans the whole day long.
(You’ve done us working people wrong)
I’m gonna do the cookin’ honey, I’m gonna pay the rent
(We need Steve Beshear, honey he’s heaven sent)
I know that I’ve done you wrong.
(Erine Fletcher you have done us Wrong)
Do you remember that rainy evenin’
(We’re gonna fix it this election evening)
That I drove you out, with nothin but a fine tooth comb?
(We need to throw you out We need to send you home)
I know I’m to blame, well ain’t that a shame
(We know he’s to blame he plays the rich mans game)
Bill Bailey, won’t you please come
( Ernie Fletcher we’re going to send you home)
Good luck to all the union folks in Kentucky. I hope your work is successful.