19 Days to Go: CWAers Spread Word to Register and Vote Early

In Fairfax, Virginia, members of Locals 2222 and 2252 received an overwhelmingly positive reception from rush hour commuters who honked approval to the workers'  "Honk If You Like Obama" signs. The action was held outside a hotel hosting a McCain-Palin fundraiser. In North Carolina, CWAers are distributing a "I Voted Early. Ask Me How!" sticker to encourage workers to register and vote during the state's early Oct. 16-Nov. 1 voting period.

With Election day fast approaching – just 19 days away – CWA members across the country are intensifying their outreach to co-workers and union families on the critical difference that the election's outcome has for workers, unions and the middle class.

This week, as part of CWA's National Worksite Action Week, Oct. 13-17, local activists have volunteered their time to handbill co-workers in worksites, phone bank, and urge members to register to vote.

CWAers are also urging members to take advantage of the opportunity to vote early in the more than 30 states that allow it. In the key battleground state of North Carolina, where early voting runs from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1, members are distributing special "I voted early. Ask me how?" stickers. "This simple message helps us spread the word that you not only still have time to register, but also to vote early," said Telecommunications Vice President Jimmy Gurganus, who is working to get out the vote in the state. The vast majority of CWA North Carolina locals, aided by Stewards Army volunteers, are distributing the stickers at workplaces statewide.

The battleground states of Ohio, Virginia, Florida, and Pennsylvania are other early-voting states where CWA activists are at work.  In the Pittsburgh area, "People are really receptive to us," said Local 13500 Executive Vice President Carol Coultas, whose local has been holding labor walks every Saturday through working family neighborhoods. "This is the first election in years where we've seen so many people who really want to talk about the issues," she said adding, "We are really seeing that our work is paying off."

In New Mexico, state employees who were once forbidden to take part in political activity are handbilling worksites this week outside public health offices and Qwest locations in Albuquerque.  Governor Bill Richardson recently signed legislation allowing state employees to handbill.  "This year is important for unions," said CWA Local 7076 President Tom Scharman.  "We're encouraging members to support congressional candidate Martin Heinrich and Barack Obama because they are with us on health care, a living wage, and so many other issues."