Pennsylvania Union Members Get Ready for the Election

by Seth Michaels, May 13, 2008

Union activists from across the state came together in Philadelphia in recent days for a two-day training session in getting out the vote as part of the union movement’s Labor 2008 political mobilization program.  

Members of more than a dozen unions participated in presentations that overviewed key working family issues like health care, the economy and Sen. John McCain’s anti-labor voting record. Attendees engaged in dynamic discussions about effective communication, worksite visits and activist recruitment.   

The Philadelphia training is one of a series of Labor 2008 trainings that have taken place around the country in key states like Missouri, Ohio and Colorado. 

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Bloomingdale addressed the group, highlighting the significance of the November election and the important role of union voters. He was joined by Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO President Patrick Eiding, who thanked participants for taking part.  

Jack Fischer, Erie-Crawford Central Labor Council president, said the most important result of the training was inspiration.  

I got direction on how to overcome some of the obstacles that prevent people from getting involved.

He added that he plans to go into his office on Monday and make some calls about the May 17 walk coming up this Saturday.  

Jake Long, from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 464, said that while “we’ve got our work cut out for us,” the one thing he knows after the training this week is that he “needs to get started.”  

Political mobilization trainings will continue across the state this summer.

Print This Article | E-Mail This Article |Comments (0)