Feingold Joins Working America Members in Wisconsin

by Seth Michaels, Aug 15, 2008

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) is a new member of Working America.

Working America, the AFL-CIO community affiliate, has added thousands of new members in Wisconsin this year—including a U.S. senator.

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) signed up as a Working America member at an economic briefing last week in Milwaukee, where he talked about how working families are experiencing job losses and other economic problems more and more acutely.

I’ve held over a thousand listening sessions—I held one this morning in Kenosha—and you can probably guess the questions I’ve heard over and over again in every corner of the state. How will I keep my job? How will I keep my house? Why can’t I afford to fill my gas tank or keep my health insurance anymore?

I keep hearing these concerns everywhere I go. It’s more important than ever that Congress be proactive in taking care of the working men and women who are the heart and soul of the economy.

Feingold says that by joining together and getting engaged in the political process, working families can turn around the country and make the real changes we need.

We can’t do it alone. My colleagues in Washington need to hear from you….To ensure that America’s workers receive the benefits and protections they deserve, we have to join together. That’s why Working America is so important. Joining Working America gives families an opportunity to make a real difference in the policies that actually shape their lives.

Sue Ledbetter, Labor 2008 state director for Wisconsin, reports that Working America’s Milwaukee office began this exciting week with an important milestone: crossing the halfway mark to its goal of 25,000 member households in Wisconsin.

Sending out nearly 20 canvassers a day, the AFL-CIO’s community affiliate in Wisconsin knocked on 7,117 doors in Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties this week. A total of 2,434 Wisconsinites became members of Working America just this week, and by next week the total membership is expected to be over 15,000.    

Working America has had great success in its ongoing campaign in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Milwaukee office reports collecting nearly 6,000 postcards signed by members to be delivered to the new Congress, telling representatives it’s time to stand up for the rights of workers in the workplace.

The canvass is now collecting signatures on the “No More Business as Usual” campaign. The new campaign is already popular with members, who vote for their top concern by selecting one of four stickers representing the health care crisis, the foreclosure crisis, high gas prices or corporate special interests. Members then put the sticker on the petition and sign their name next to it.

These Working America members will be engaged through the election this fall and beyond, as they fight to make sure working families needs are addressed in Washington.

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