"We're ready to take the offense for organized labor. It's time we have a President who didn't choke saying the word 'union.' We need to strengthen our unions by letting them do what they do best --- organize our workers. If a majority of workers want a union, they should get a union. It's that simple. We need to stand up to the business lobby that's been getting their friends in Congress and in the White House to block card check. That's why I was one of the leaders fighting to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. That's why I'm fighting for it in the Senate. And that's why we'll make it the law of the land when I'm President."

Barack Obama, Dubuque, IA, November 13, 2007

Labor at the Crossroads: Frank talk about what’s at stake in this election

Labor delegates are leaving the Democratic Convention with a clear message and a mandate, energized by the inspiring words of Barack Obama that "We cannot turn back, not with so much work to be done." This is the ultimate crossroads election for America's working families. Electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden is the only hope for turning this country around and securing the American Dream for their children and grandchildren. Another four years of Republican control will produce more of the same--declining wages and fewer jobs, more aggressive employer resistance to organizing workers, continuation of the health care crisis, and no voice for working families in Washington. .

The mandate: Get out in your unions and communities like never before. Get them to the polls in November and, equally important, keep them engaged after the election to hold those elected accountable for giving voice to working families' issues. The AFL-CIO's goal is to have 250,000 volunteers in the field; SEIU wants to activate about half its membership, over one million in total. Working America, the branch of the AFL-CIO that signs up individuals who share labor’s values and political goals, is asking its two million members to deliver this message to all those they can reach in their communities.

I have never seen a greater sense of urgency, excitement, and shared resolve from as large and diverse mix of labor leaders and delegates as those gathered in Denver. They recognize that this is as much a defining moment for the labor movement as it is for the country. Even more hopeful, these labor activists are as ready and eager to bring change in their unions and in union-management relations as they are ready and eager for change in the country. There was also a remarkable candor expressed in some of the union meetings. Union leaders know they face a challenge getting all their members to vote their economic interests . AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka, for example, warned delegates that, as he said recently in the Huffington Post: "The opponents of working people are trying to divide us , , , , Union members must lead the fight against such divisions and, instead, look at the bottom line." In a recent speech at the Steelworkers' Convention he put it even more directly: We need to educate [working men and women] that if they care about holding onto their jobs, their health care, their pensions, and their homes, if they care about creating good jobs with clean energy, child care, pay equity for women workers, there's only going to be one candidate on the ballot this fall who's on our side, only one candidate who's going to stand up for our families, only one candidate who's earned our votes...and his name is Barack Obama!"That is the bottom line every labor delegate--from the building trades to teachers, machinists, government employees, hospitality workers, retail clerks, service workers, and others--are taking home from Denver. The task of spreading the word across America begins in earnest this Labor Day weekend.