Labor Walk volunteers faced a wet weekend across many parts of the state, but that did not dampen enthusiasm for the candidates who will stand up for working families.
“I voted for change in 2008, and we need more support to see those changes through,” says Andy Voelzke of USW Local 2-209. In spite of a steady drizzle, Voelzke participated in the Milwaukee area member to member walk on Saturday. “When people see other union members taking action, it makes a difference.”
IAMAW Local 1904 retiree Glendon Ward was happy to receive a visit from a Labor 2010 volunteer at his Green Bay home.
“I have phonebanked for working family candidates in the past. So I understand that member to member outreach is less about changing minds, and more about making sure that the workers who already agree with us actually get out and vote,” says Ward. “There is so much at stake in the midterm elections, and yet, historically people just skip them. We can’t let that happen this year. If informed working people show up to vote, our candidates will win and our state will be better off.”
“I was surprised by how friendly people were,” reports AFT Local 2398 retiree and Eau Claire Labor Walk participant Jane Voll. “I had volunteered directly with candidate campaigns before, but this was my first time working with the labor political program. It seemed like making a connection as union members was easier than trying to approach a total stranger.”
Voll’s feelings are backed up by research. Our member to member political program has a much higher success rate than the outreach programs run by candidates or political parties.
So volunteer a little time with Labor 2010, and make a big difference for working families come Election Day. Contact your local Service Area Organizer to join a Labor Walk or phonebank in your area.
VOLUNTEER BREAKDOWN BY LOCATION
All Labor Walks listed below took place on Saturday, September 11th, except for in Superior, where volunteers walked on Wednesday, September 8th.
In Eau Claire members of AFSCME Local 1914, AFT Local 2398, CWA Local 4390, DALU Local 24111, IBEW Local 14, and LIUNA Local 268 visited union households with information in support of Sen. Russ Feingold and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett.
Green Bay activists from OPEIU Local 9, USW District 2, USW Local 815, USW Local 1096, and USW Local 2-469 talked to fellow union members about Rep. Steve Kagen and other AFL-CIO endorsed candidates.
In La Crosse participants from AFGE Local 1346, ATU Local 519, and SEIU Health Care Wisconsin encouraged working families to support Tom Barrett and Russ Feingold.
Some Milwaukee volunteers participated in a member to member phonebank instead of or in addition to the Labor Walk. In either case, members of AFSCME Local 33, AFSCME Local 576, AFSCME Local 882, AFSCME Local 1654, AFT Local 212, AFT Local 4822, AFT-WFNHP Local 5001, CWA Local 4603, OPEIU Local 9, OPEIU Local 35/2009, SEIU Health Care Wisconsin, UAW Local 407, UAW Local 469, UFCW Local 1473, USW District 2, USW Local 2-209, and USW Local 2-232 encouraged union households to turnout and vote for endorsed candidates in today’s primary.
Neehah Labor Walk volunteers hailing from AFT-Wisconsin, IBEW Local 2150, USW District 2, USW Local 2-144, USW Local 2-148, and USW Local 2-1279 visited union households in support of Rep. Kagen, Sen. Feingold, and Tom Barrett for Governor.
Racine member to member walkers from AFSCME Local 67, AFT Retirees, CWA Local 4611, IRON Local 8, SEIU Health Care, and UFCW Local 1473 were personally thanked by AFL-CIO endorsed State Rep. Bob Turner before heading to the doors.
In Sheboygan, AFSCME Local 1750 walked in support of AFL-CIO endorsed candidates.
AFT Local 202 volunteers in Superior delivered information about Congressional candidate Julie Lassa and other endorsed candidates to fellow union members.
Wisconsin Rapids activists from USW Local 2-224 and USW Local 2-248 also encouraged fellow union members to support Julie Lassa, Russ Feingold, and Tom Barrett.
(Top Photo: Racine AFL-CIO Council President Scott Sharp and endorsed State Rep. Bob Turner with members of AFSCME, AFT, and CWA before Saturday’s Labor Walk. Photo Credit: Justin Geiger. Top Right Photo: Dan Vandenbush of USW District 2 visits the Green Bay home of IAMAW Local 1904 retiree Glendon Ward to discuss working family candidates. Photo Credit: Greg Hinds. Top Left Photo: Mike Bink of UAW Local 469 on the member to member walk in Milwaukee. Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta. Bottom Left Photo: Karen Black of SEIU Health Care Wisconsin participating in the La Crosse Labor Walk. Photo Credit: Andy Thompson. Bottom Right Photo: Kathy Antoniewicz of CWA Local 4603 calling union members in Milwaukee. Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta. For more pictures, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624464005331/.)
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