Pennsylvania Labor Movement Steps Up in 2007 Elections

by Seth Michaels, Nov 5, 2007

With local and state elections only a day away, Pennsylvania’s labor movement continues to press hard to mobilize union members and get out the vote.

Throughout the fall, Pennsylvania unions have been educating their members about the issues and candidates at play in judicial, county and local races. In the final weekend, more than 200 volunteers hit the streets in selected counties, going door to door to let their fellow union members know about the upcoming election.

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Rick Bloomingdale said that in addition to knocking on union doors, the labor movement has been active in phone banking, worksite leafleting and direct mail.

It’s very important to remind our members to go out and vote Tuesday. The union vote makes up a major part of the overall vote every year. If we get our members to the polls this year, we can make an especially significant contribution in electing pro-worker candidates across the board.

Pennsylvania’s six area labor federations (ALFs) are directing the campaigns in their counties with the assistance of affiliated union locals, as well as with Working America canvassers.

Union efforts will be crucial in tomorrow’s Supreme Count elections, which will select at least two, and possibly as many as three, new judges for the seven-member court. There are mayoral races in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and many counties are seeing tough competition in county commissioner races. Volunteers from the Southwest, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast, Central and Philadelphia ALFs are keeping a close eye on these races. While off-year elections usually see low turnout, the labor movement is active, engaged and mobilized.

Paul Bachman, president of the Central Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, who recently won five workplace safety awards from the National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee, said it’s crucial for union members to be politically active so elected officials will listen to the needs of working families.

I believe wholeheartedly that there is nothing better than being part of the labor movement. You have real political clout and a voice that’s backed by thousands of members.

His enthusiasm for this election is reflected by union volunteers across the state.

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