DAVENPORT, Iowa, Nov. 5 USW-IA-Obama-victory
USW Grassroots Campaign Delivers for Obama & others
DAVENPORT, Iowa, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Steelworkers (USW) members nationwide celebrated last night's polling victories, particularly in key battleground states where the USW mounted unprecedented outreach efforts to educate voters on key issues. There is great anticipation that the Obama victory will help American working families and get the country as a whole back on track.
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"We always knew that economics would define the voting and our members were motivated like never before," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. "When you feel the brunt of the downturn in the economy and wake up wondering if your job is being shipped overseas or whether you can still afford health care, you work like hell for change."
Bonnie Carey, a USW activist assigned to campaign in Eastern Iowa, shared her story about contributing to the victory. "One of the benefits of talking to union members year after year is the cumulative effect," she said. "In 2000, it took a lot of convincing to get people out to vote. In 2004, lots more members said they 'didn't want more of Bush,' and voted. But this time people came out to the union hall asking for Obama/Biden signs. What a difference!
"Our campaign focused on jobs, health care, retirement security and fair trade," she said. "We had a plant in Dubuque with 500 members making furniture. Now, they're down to 200 workers as their manufacturing plant is now a warehouse for Chinese imports.
"We had a plant in Waterloo, making leather for auto interiors. The company plans to close the plant to move their jobs to Mexico. Workers in Mexico are paid only $2 dollars an hour and have no insurance.
"We repeated the message, over and over," Carey emphasized. "It may not be your plant, your job, your life. Not yet. But remember what happened to these USW members when you go to the polls."
The USW political campaign had more than 500 people working full-time in 31 states, mobilizing members and working families. More than 10,000 Steelworkers volunteered their time to ensure Barack Obama's victory. The strategy included calling and speaking to more than 100,000 union members in key battlegrounds states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina between Labor Day and the election. Nearly 5 million pieces of persuasive literature was mailed from USW international, district and local union offices.
CONTACT: Bonnie Carey of United Steelworkers (USW), +1-309-269-3586 (cell)
SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)
