Steelworkers across Kentucky have worked hard to get out the vote among union members.

United Steelworkers (USW) District 8 Director Bill Thompson and his union team have put in a lot of time to get out the vote among Kentucky working families. At stake is the state’s gubernatorial election in which working families’ candidate Steve Beshear is challenging anti-worker Gov. Ernie Fletcher. USW is among many unions, including the UAW, working in coalition to defeat Fletcher.

Members of the United Steelworkers in Kentucky knew this election would be important the minute Gov. Ernie Fletcher took office. He threw down the gauntlet against workers early in his term, and we knew we had to fight back. Fletcher came after us with a vengeance—he did away with the labor secretary cabinet position, took away bargaining rights for public employees and supported “right to work” for less in a union shop state. 

But we also knew that this wasn’t just about us. With the opportunity to elect a governor who would support the interests not only of union members but all working people, and with the country watching a race that would set the stage for 2008, we had a big responsibility. 

While the program we’ve carried has been what USW always would do to bring strong, working family-friendly leadership—phone banks, walks, leaflets, public events—this time we did it with a determination and breadth unlike anything we’ve done before. With increased member communication, we’ve aggressively educated members about what’s at stake. They in turn have responded, knowing their work would directly affect their lives.  

Members have been more active and have never felt better about their contribution. On Nov. 6, they’ll know it all paid off.

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Paid for by AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Treasury Fund.

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