Alliance Unions Put Political Program in Place

As part of the new four-union Alliance CWAers join United Steel Workers members in Pittsburgh for grassroots training.

The strategic alliance established by CWA, the United Auto Workers, the United Steel Workers and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers already is showing results from the unions’ joint political actions with more plans underway to carry out a successful strategy for Election 2008.

Members and activists of the Alliance unions in seven states -- Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania – will work together this election year to elect senators and more members of Congress who support our key issues of Employee Free Choice, health care reform, retirement security and fair trade.

In a May 22 conference call, the union presidents plus political staff from all four unions rolled out the program.

"We all know what we have to do," said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. "There’s a lot of hard work needed to get this job done. The most effective action comes from the field, and our unions are determined to put together a program that’s strong and successful," he said.

IFPTE President Greg Junemann outlined the key races in the states, noting that the unions have a real opportunity in Virginia, Mississippi and Minnesota to elect Democratic senators, and can make a real difference in all seven states.

"Our unions have made a huge commitment to getting more done than ever before," said USW President Leo Gerard. "The efforts will be coordinated at the state level, with each union’s state, legislative and political staff playing a key role. We’ll look at congressional districts and U.S. Senate races where we can make a real difference, as well as be very involved in the presidential race," he said.

CWA President Larry Cohen recounted the Alliance’s successes so far in the special House election wins in Mississippi and Louisiana, where Alliance unions were particularly active. "We did joint worksite leafleting and joint phone banking, contacting 10,000 union households. Neighborhood walks, "robo calls" and phone banking in conjunction with the USW helped reinforce our four key issues for members," he said.

The program will be coordinated at the state level by the political staff of all four unions, who will hold weekly conference calls and conversations. There will be joint mailings and materials, as well as block walks so activists can meet face-to-face with their co-workers and neighbors, plus other activities. The first meeting will be held the end of May.

Together, the four unions of the Alliance represent more than 3 million active and retired members.