Union Beer and Activism—Together at Netroots Nation

by Seth Michaels, Aug 14, 2009

Hundreds of Netroots Nation attendees are showing their support for health care and the Employee Free Choice Act—and getting to sample a great union-made beer at the same time.

More than 200 people already have signed up to join Working America, the AFL-CIO’s community affiliate, and hundreds more have taken action on key issues at the AFL-CIO/Working America booth in the Netroots Nation exhibit hall. Then they’re “raising a glass for the working class” at our union beer tasting. It’s a hit among Netroots Nation attendees.

Chad Cyrowski, a blogger for Progress Michigan, was among the hundreds who took action and enjoyed a union brew:

I signed up in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. I think it’s a really important way to give workers the ability to get ahead. We have to do it to fix our economy. I hope we can pass it this year.

Kim Rogers, a web strategist, was excited to take part:

Working America and the AFL-CIO have really gone above and beyond typical convention swag with the union beer booth. I like supporting union-made products, and I’m proud to join Working America. The work they do mobilizing and educating voters is great.

Pittsburgh-area Working America canvassers staffed the booth, signing up conference attendees and talking to them about Working America. Jonathan Sharwarko, Kate Pratt, Marlon Washington and Wes Gadson all came by to help out. Pratt said the event has been very successful:

The convention has been great fun. We’ve met and signed up many great new members. Working America has grown significantly, and folks at the conference are thrilled to come visit the booth.

If you’re at Netroots Nation, stop by and pay us a visit! If not, you can follow Netroots Nation events here, here or on the AFL-CIO Twitter feed.

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