Reaching Out at the Worksite Really Works

“Talking about politics on the job is one of the most effective ways to spread the word about working family candidates because people tune out television and radio commercials,” according to Peter Singler, Union Representative for UFCW Local 1473.  “Union members have seen me around their worksites before, and they pay attention to a message when it comes from a familiar face.  They know I wouldn’t stand around in a hot parking lot if it weren’t important.”

Singler distributed fliers to union workers outside of Rediserv in Fort Atkinson on Tuesday because, “Our Local still has some layoffs, and we need to maintain a social safety net.  If Scott Walker becomes governor, then that threatens the programs that out of work families depend on.  We need to elect candidates like Tom Barrett who will support workers and those who are desperately trying to find work in tough times.”

The Rediserv leafleting in Fort Atkinson is just one example of ongoing Labor 2010 worksite activities.  In Verona on Wednesday volunteers from IBEW Local 159 and IUPAT District Council 7 distributed flier to members of building trades unions working at Epic Systems.  And on Thursday, ATU Local 998 members reached out to union members at the Milwaukee County Transit Center, at the same time that CWA Local 4611 distributed worksite leaflets at the AT&T Regency Garage in Racine.

“The reason we do this is pretty simple,” says Jacqueline Sargent, Executive Board member for AFSCME Local 1654.  Sargent helped handout leaflets at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on Wednesday.  “Working people back Senator Russ Feingold, because Feingold backs working people.”

“If you have a job in civil service, that job is totally dependent on politics and you need to get involved,” urges Renita Hoover, a Trustee for AFSCME Local 1654 who also leafleted at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.  “Everytime that a new politician comes into office our funding is in jeopardy.  When anti-worker candidates get elected, public employees feel that directly.”

To take Hoover’s advice and start leafleting at your own workplace, click here to contact your local service area organizer.

 

(Top Photo:  ATU Local 998 members Penny Amos-Sikora and Rhonda Cockroft at the Milwaukee County Transit Center on Wednesday.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Top Right Photo: Peter Singler of UFCW Local 1473 hands out leaflets in Fort Atkinson on Tuesday.  Photo Credit Greg Neil.  Top Left Photo: Jeff Mehrhoff of IUPAT DC 7 distributes flyers to fellow union members outside of Epic Systems in Verona.  Photo Credit: Greg Neil.  Bottom Right Photo: Jacqueline Sargent of AFSCME Local 1654 outside of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Bottom Left Photo: Renita Hoover of AFSCME Local 1654 outside of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Bottom Photo: CWA Local 4611 President Joe Briere distributes Labor 2010 fliers in Racine.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  For more Labor 2010 pictures taken at worksites, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624329244553/.)