Why Unions Are & Must Be Politically Active

By: Roger Juaire
Chairman, Local Lodge 623 Legislative Committee


     As chairman of the I.A.M. Local 623 Legislative Committee. I was awarded the privilege of representing our Union at the Legislative Conference held in conjunction with the “Enough Is Enough” rally in Washington D.C.

     The Legislative Conference consisted of attending strategy planning, lobbying methods and educating delegates on labor and working families issues.

     There also were a number of speakers, Senators Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and many other congressional representatives. Most of the speakers and informational meetings were held in the morning, leaving ample time in the afternoon to go to the U.S. Capital to meet with and lobby our representatives on the 10 issues important to working families and retirees.

     After spending three afternoons at the Capital, ones realize how important it is to have elected friends that support our causes. Those supporting our agenda’s that we met with are, Senator Amy Klobuchar Representative Collin Peterson, Representative James Oberstar, Representative Keith Ellison, Representative Betty McCollum and Representative Tim Walz. Our lobbying efforts with these members’ of the U.S. House of Representatives’ were well received and we were assured that they would support our working families’ agenda.

     Those that we tried to meet with but only had their staff members available were, Representative Michelle Bachman, Senator Norm Colman, and Representative John Kline. After many hours of explaining the issues and trying to gain support, it was obvious that it will take much more lobbying to achieve support from these representatives as per the positions given by their staff members.

     One of the main points made by Senator Hillary Clinton was that the country and current administration has no plans or goals for the future. Our nation is adrift in a world full of crises.

      The major concerns of our country, such as Healthcare, Social Security, National Debt, Energy and the Trade Deficit, just to name a few are not being addressed.

     Members of Local Lodge 623 precipitated in the “Enough Is Enough Rally” on the Capital Mall. Attending the rally were, Dan Milner, Kristine Marquedant and myself.

     It was estimated that almost all Unions were represented, with over 12.000 total participants, for the 4 hour successful rally.

      The theme of the Legislative Conference and Rally was that we must maintain control of the House and Senate with friends of Labor and elect a labor endorsed President. This is the only hope we have to put forth the working family and Union agendas.

      Every member and citizen must recognize that major issues such as, NAFTA & other trade agreements, Healthcare, Education, minimum wage, Family Medical & Sick Leave , Occupational Safety & Health Protection, Retiree Health, Medicare & Social Security, Pension Reform and Bankruptcy Reform must be addressed.

     Ask yourself if you want a Representative that supports you on these key issues or one that would take the side of Corporate America & the wealthy, (such as tax breaks for the oil companies, Healthcare Insurance, Credit Card Companies & Banking industry).

     With all that is at stake no one can disagree that it is important that we take an active roll in our political future.

Thank You:

Submitted by: Roger Juaire
Chairman, Local Lodge 623 Legislative Committee

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