CWAers Lead Campaign to Elect Creigh Deeds Virginia Governor, More Volunteers Needed Through Electio

CWA members in Virginia are working hard to elect a governor and other state leaders who support working families when voters go to the polls on Nov. 3.

CWA's Virginia state coordinator Richard Hatch said working people face a serious threat to jobs, benefits, workers' rights and their union voice unless Democrat Creigh Deeds is elected governor, along with other state leaders who support workers.

Hatch said CWA locals have been leading labor's efforts in Virginia, with members going door-to-door to CWA households, organizing phone banks, putting up yard signs and getting out the word that working families need Creigh Deeds.

In a letter to Virginia CWAers, CWA District 2 Vice President Ron Collins pointed out that Deeds' opponent Bob McDonnell and other Republican candidates for state office clearly don't support working families.

McDonnell opposes workers' rights and the Employee Free Choice Act, opposed the much needed extension of unemployment benefits for Virginians, backed a Verizon plan that would have resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs and hurt quality service, and more, Collins wrote. "The Republican candidate for attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli, says that he 'will not support collective bargaining for public employees or private employees in Virginia,'" Collins wrote.

This Saturday, Deeds will join CWAers and other union member volunteers in northern Virginia at the start of this weekend's labor walk. The event begins at 9 a.m. at the NOVA Area Labor Federation building, 4536 B John Marr Dr., in Annandale; CWAers are encouraged to turn out for the walks and other activities.

Hatch says this election is important. "Last year was about hopes for the future. This year is about the work to make that future come through," he said.