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Building and Construction Trades Department Endorses Obama |
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The Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), a coalition of 13 unions, has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president.
The BCTD’s Governing Board voted unanimously to endorse Obama yesterday, pledging to mobilize the unions’ 2.5 million members to elect Obama as the next president.
BCTD President Mark Ayres says the unions would educate their members about Obama’s pro-working family agenda and the need for change.
Our endorsement today of Sen. Obama marks the beginning of the fight to return the reins of power to a presidential administration that places high value on the interests of America’s working families. We have pledged to Sen. Obama our determination to engage our members in detailed conversations concerning the stark differences between his view of America and that of Sen. John McCain—whose candidacy, in our minds, is simply a warmed-over version of the anti-worker, anti-union tenure of George W. Bush.
Obama also has been endorsed by AFGE, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the Boilermakers (IBB), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA), Postal Workers (APWU), the UAN, the UAW and the Utility Workers (UWUA).
Three unions that initially endorsed former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.)—the Mine Workers (UMWA), Transport Workers (TWU) and United Steelworkers (USW)—also have given their endorsements to Obama.
Thirteen unions endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who suspended her campaign earlier this month: AFSCME, AFT, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Bricklayers (BAC), Letter Carriers (NALC), Machinists (IAM), Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU), Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), Plasterers and Cement Masons (OP&CMIA), Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA), TCU/IAM, Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and the United Transportation Union (UTU). The IAM and IUPAT endorsements of Clinton in the Democratic primaries were accompanied by endorsements of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the Republican primaries.
The Fire Fighters (IAFF) union, which endorsed Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), has not announced a new endorsement.
In August 2007, the AFL-CIO Executive Council said it would not make an endorsement at that time for a 2008 presidential candidate, freeing AFL-CIO unions to endorse candidates for the caucuses and primaries. The AFL-CIO will continue the Working Families Vote 2008 campaign to help elect a worker-friendly Congress and president.
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Paid for by the AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education Political Contributions Committee, www.aflcio.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
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As a 40 year member of the the buildings and a thrid generation pipefitter.I would like to know just what it is that makes Obama such a good choice.I can see nothing in his background that shows support for anything the workers of this country need.In many instances he is as bad as the Republicans.He supports AMNESTY for millions of illegal people in this country.He has no plan for the economy,can’t do what he says he will in Iraq and his health care plan sucks.Don’t get me wrong I don’t support McCain either,I’m just saying it’s more of the same from the same people that created the problems here.We will go to the polls to vote for the lesser of two evils, as we have in every election I ever particapited in.I have registered as an Indepentent trying to show the two parties they have a real problem but they don’t seem to pay any attention to the millions of us that have done the same thing.This election will come an go and what will change is nothing in four years you’ll be telling me who to support again.In my forty years you have never been right.I finished high school in 1967 and it’s been downhill for Unions and working people ever since.
I agree with you DR. Obama does nothing for me and don’t forget how much our taxes are going to go up if he gets elected. I have been voting Libertarian for quite some time and this year my candidate is Bob Barr. Some people may think it is a wasted vote but it’s not! It’s my vote and it is the only one I have. I would invite everyone who is sickened by the two major party candidates to vote for a third party. Don’t stay home, just don’t vote for Obama or McCain
Brother, do your homework. We cannot afford another four years of republican rule. Yes we have a majority in Congress but we need 60 votes in the senate to get anything done. Obama as prez. with more democratic seats in the senate things will finally change for the better. The way I look at it is 70% of something is better than 100% of nothin’. Thats what McBush is 100% of nothing. Study the history of the republican party on labor issues and it will make any true union mans blood boil! Its time for a change my man. Bricklayers Local #21 Chicago
Dr, I can’t convince you in a reply post but, check Obama’s website and your UA journal. Pres. Hite supported Obama from the beginning based on his personal experience with him. I am also a UA member.
All the Best Bro.
BTW you’re right, “they” haven’t listened to us in a long, long time.
Dear Brickman I do not support McCain and will not vote for him.What I’m trying to say is all these people Democrat and Republican alike are not the working mans friend and never have been.We need another party even if we have to start it ourselves and I don’t understand why we don’t have a labor party.Why do we keep supporting these fools.We need to get rid of everyone in the Congress and start fresh.We need term limits(I won’t hold my breath on that one).I am so sick of liars I can’t stand it.Obama said he would run in the general election on public funds, up until yesterday that is,it shows me that no matter what he says money rules and he can be bought.Its just more politics as ususal and we ignorant fools will keep on believing them until there is no country that resembles anything that we grew up in.
Brother Dr,
I am a 21yr Teamster. This election cycle isn’t my first rodeo, either. I have also grown frustrated with Republicans and, at times, Democrats. In theory, the development of a “Labor Party” is a wonderful idea. However practically, the political strength of organized Labor, alone, is insufficent to elect a candidate in a general election. Union households make up a small percentage of the total electorate; moreover, when we vote, we often divide our strength between candidates. Only when we unite with other groups into coalitions under one tent and concentrate our human and financial resources, do we become powerful enough to elect Labor friendly politicians in general elections. I have recently found some hope for the recovery of the Democratic Party and eventually our Nation.
Do you remember where the Democratic debate on the subject of special interest contributions was almost a year ago? Allow me to refresh your memory with what began as a quite straightforward question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LY0AqYXZC4
Shortly thereafter; Obama brought the crowd to their feet as he championed the cause with this follow-up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQK84pmCfBY&feature=related
This subject was brought up at every subsequent gathering, thereafter, and was debated with great enthusiasm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xaWahAwiiU&feature=related
(Just for the record, Labor PACs (Political Action Committees) were outspent $18 to $1, as stated by Edwards, in the previous election cycle by Corporate PACs. They are currently being outspent almost $30 to $1. There is just no way Labor can compete for equal access, let alone influence, with our government’s Representatives so long as the playing field heavily favors Corporate special interests. It’s a fight that Labor and other Democrats are going to continue losing, unless something changes.)
Democrats have come a long way since then. Now, after a long Primary season; victoriously, here is where Democrats find ourselves:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4122885930486275222&q=pac+money&ei=C5hLSJHOG4SSrgL9o_WbDA&hl=en
Although I am a weekly payroll deduction contributor to my labor union’s PAC fund, D.R.I.V.E. (Democratic Republican Independent Voter Education), and have personally traveled all over my State soliciting contributions from our members for it; I welcome with open arms the opportunity to break from the political policies of old. I look forward to embracing a change because the current system of campaign finance has been failing an overwhelming majority of Americans.
The new policy direction of the DNC has been made possible only because there were enough courageous people willing to stand together and defeat these powerful forces. Collectively, we have united and accomplished what none of us could have individually for the common good of all Americans, regardless of which candidate you may have supported. Although the victory was a close one; we have now empowered our candidate to bring about a CHANGE in policy that genuinely works for the betterment of the public interest. This is only the beginning of the kind of change in store for Washington and the United States, if you have the courage that is required to face down the fear that lays ahead.
Democrats are going to stop feeding from the same corporate trough as the republicans fatten themselves. Together, we will run out the special interests from the Democratic Party; and soon, the rest of our government. In time, the influence they have over our government will diminish. Gradually, we will see even more ambitious policy shifts tilting power to the people and away from the special interests; but we must be willing to persevere and muster the courage to continue fighting the good fight. It’s one that our children can not afford for us to lose.
For me, this announcement is nothing short of turning the tables of the money changers within the chambers of the most sacred Government buildings our world knows. I am confident that things are going to get worse, economically, before they get better as a direct result of this “shot across the bow.” It’s a good start.
Dr, I hear ya my friend.I’m all for a third party. If you check out the Green Party they have the platform I luv and I think you would too. Check out their website gp.org. All Greens are just ticked off Dems like you and me who want to get things done.The sad part is this country will always be a two party system. If we do vote green all were doing is giving the repubs a vote. Like I said 70% of something is better than 100% of nothin’.Obama 08. Take care,Brickman