Worksite Leafleting Steps Up Statewide

With all of the recent and upcoming labor walks, some of the other political outreach that union members are engaged in through the Labor 2010 program hasn’t received a fair share of attention.

Worksite leafleting is a critical part of our member to member program.  Union members have a unique opportunity to educated each other and bond over common economic issues in the workplace.   That gives working family candidates a huge edge heading into November.

“On the job people recognize us, and they know that we are offering guidance based on what is best for working people, rather than based on party affiliation,” says Dale Seianas, Recording Secretary for UFCW Local 1473 in Racine and Kenosha.  “Because we get out there and personally support candidates in that way, politicians are accountable to workers once they are elected.”

Early in the morning, throughout the day, and as shifts end at offices and factories, volunteers across Wisconsin are making sure that union members leave work with a better understanding of the AFL-CIO endorsed candidates.

"This year we are asking our coworkers to support Tom Barrett, because if Walker or Newman becomes governor, things will get a lot worse for working families: high-speed rail would be in jeopardy, government services would be cut, and the working poor would suffer the most," says Jim Krebs, a Shop Steward with CWA Local 4603 in Milwaukee. "I also think that Senator Feingold has been a tremendous advocate for the middle class and that we need to send him back to Washington."

To participate in worksite leafleting, contact your local service area organizer.  The Labor 2010 program also offers opportunities to reach out to fellow union members through labor walks, phone banking and local union mail, so there are plenty of ways to get involved.

VOLUNTEER BREAKDOWN BY LOCATION

USW Local 2-469 and USW Local 2-1279 leaders passed out leaflets in support of Sen. Russ Feingold, Rep. Steve Kagen, and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett at plant gates in Appleton twice in the past three weeks.

Volunteers from SMWIA Local 18 handed out fliers in support of Russ Feingold and Tom Barrett to their fellow union members at Martin Petersen Company in Kenosha on August 12th.

On July 30th, volunteers from the building trades including BAC Local 13 and IBEW Local 159 helped distribute political information to union members outside of an Armed Forces building in Madison.

Public employees in Madison are making sure that their coworkers are informed voters.  On Monday, August 16, members of AFSCME showed their support for Russ Feingold and Tom Barrett outside of a Dane County administrative building, while members of AFT-Wisconsin spread the word to union workers at Department of Health Services.

In Milwaukee on July 29, members of CWA Local 4603 continued to engage their fellow union members at AT&T by handing out fliers in support of Barrett and Feingold.

And alphabetically last but certainly not least, volunteers from UFCW Local 1473 distributed fliers in support of Sen. Feingold and Tom Barrett to fellow union members outside of Piggly Wiggly in Racine on Wednesday, August 12th.

(Top Photo: Members of USW Local 2-469 receive fliers in support of Russ Feingold and Tom Barrett from Denny Lauer of USW Local 2-1279 in Appleton.  Photo Credit: Greg Hinds.  Top Right Photo:  Jim Vick from BAC Local 13 leaflets a Madison worksite as part of Labor 2010.  Photo Credit: Greg Neil.  Middle Right Photo: UFCW Local 1473 Recording Secretary Dale Seianas with members Jim Schroeder and Bob Mereno.  All three men participated in the recent worksite leaflet in Racine.  Photo Credit: UFCW Local 1473.  Top Left Photo: CWA Local 4603 members Sapphira Conley and Wanda Baylis leaflet AT&T in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta.  Bottom Right Photo: Keith Kemper, Business Rep. for SMWIA Local 18,  hands out leaflets to fellow union members in Kenosha.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  For more pictures from Labor 2010 worksites, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624329244553/.)