The Primary is Over but Phone Banks are Still Going Strong

“We are only heard when we speak up.  That’s why I volunteered to help with the GOTV phone bank,” says Griselda Villegas of UFCW Local 1473.

Villegas was one of dozens of volunteers in Milwaukee who made phone calls to fellow union members to remind them to vote for working family candidates in last Tuesday’s primary election. 

Member to member phone banking is also going strong in other parts of Wisconsin.

After meeting State Rep. Bob Turner in person at the Racine Labor Walk on September 11th, Ironworkers Local 8 Political Coordinator Randy Bryce wondered if there was something more he could do to help with voter turnout heading into the September 14^th primary.

“Before meeting him, I knew that Bob Turner had a 100% voting record on the working family concerns that the AFL-CIO keeps track of,” explains Bryce.  “But after talking to him over the weekend, I realized that he is also passionate about veterans’ issues.  That is something of great personal importance to me.  I wanted to do everything that I could to help Bob get reelected.”

Bryce contacted his local Service Area Organizer to find out what needed to be done.  Although he was unable to attend the regularly scheduled phone banks at the Racine Labor Hall, he worked out an arrangement so that he could make member to member phone calls from home on his own schedule.

“I feel like a bit of a nerd admitting this, but when the primary returns came back and Turner had won, it was like the Packers scoring a touchdown.   I was very pleased with the results,” confesses Bryce.

Now that the primary is over, Bryce shows no signs of letting up.  He plans to keep phone banking  and walking on behalf of candidates that will support working families. 

“People are relieved when they pick up the phone and you aren’t a telemarketer,” Bryce jokes.  “Once they realize that they are talking to a fellow union member, folks really appreciate our GOTV effort.”

Across the state, Labor 2010 volunteers are going to keep making phone calls to ensure that we elect leaders who will create jobs and rebuild the middle-class. 

“I am phone banking this year because I am afraid of what will happen if Tom Barrett isn’t elected governor.  Scott Walker would jeopardize our retirement security by moving our annuity funds towards more risky investments.  He doesn’t respect public employees or our pensions,” says Ralph Hoessel, former President of AFSCME Local 68 in Madison. 

Hoessel, who is now the President of the DOT Retirees Association, says that phone banking is a fun and easy way to make a difference. “I enjoy talking to my union brothers and sisters about politics.  There is no better audience.”

There is a lot at stake for working families this election season.  Will we build towards a better future, or will we allow candidates who will undermine jobs, pensions and public services to take control?  You can help determine the outcome of these critical elections by volunteering with Labor 2010.

There is no time to lose.  Contact your local Service Area Organizer for more information about phone banking and other volunteer opportunities in your area.

(Top Photo: Jackie McElroy and other members of SEIU Health Care Wisconsin phone bank in Milwaukee on Primary Day.  Photo Credit: Jennissee Volpintesta.  Top Right Photo: Griselda Villegas of UFCW Local 1473 participates in the GOTV phone bank.  Photo Credit: Jenissee Volpintesta. Second Right Photo:  AFL-CIO endorsed State Rep. Bob Turner and Randy Bryce of Ironworkers Local 8.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  Left Photo:  IBEW Local 159 member Dimitris Tourtouropoulos phones fellow union members in Madison.  Photo Credit: Greg Neil.  Third Right Photo: AFSCME Local 892 retiree Laura Reed phone banks in Racine.  Photo Credit: Justin Geiger.  Bottom Right Photo: AFSCME Local 1925B members Joel Sampson and Cheyne Count phone banking in Milwaukee.  Photo Credit:  Jenissee Volpintesta.  For additional Labor 2010 phone bank photos, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wisaflcio/collections/72157624811983221/.)

Comments

[Caitlin - Telesales Jobs]

I believe this is a wonderful way of telemarketing. It's voluntary too which makes it profitable for everyone involved.

[Paavo Halvari]

I agree this is really a great telemarketing,now a days telemarketing is one of the main reason of some people annoy but in Finland country it is one of the best way on giving info on some things which is really helpful to some people.