ATU Local 85 members distribute issues leaflets at the East Liberty Port Authority bus garage in Pittsburgh.

Frank Snyder, Labor 2008 state director for Pennsylvania, reports on the massive political mobilization efforts of the state’s union members.

Following the kickoff of the AFL-CIO Labor 2008 political mobilization program in March, the Pennsylvania labor movement has ordered nearly 1 million worksite leaflets for educating members about the issues that affect working families this election. As Labor Day nears, local union leaders, political coordinators and union activists are making member-to-member contact a priority.

As he distributed leaflets at the West Mifflin Port Authority garage in Pittsburgh, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 85 shop steward Ted Kielur pointed out:

When members see the union out talking about an issue, our members will then take the time to understand why. Our members trust the union and they trust other union members and that is why it is our job to get out and talk to them about important issues this election.

Over in Erie, Machinists (IAM) Local 1968 President Harry Ross was handing out issues leaflets outside the Lord Co. plant. He puts it this way:

Worksite leafleting allows me to bring the important issues right to the workers. This way they get information that they know they can trust without much hassle.

At the Wilbur Chocolate Co. in Lititz, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 464 political coordinator Jake Long said union members trust other union members because they know they have the same interests.

The union protects the members’ job and improves their standard of living so they know that the union cares about them. That is why member-to-member contact at the worksite is so important.

In addition to getting across important information about candidates and critical issues like the Employee Free Choice Act, health care, the economy, pensions and job security, worksite leaflets provide an opportunity for members to check in with each other and catch up. 

Worksite leafleting can be an event, says Ron Ennis. He’s a release staff from the Lehigh Valley Area Postal Workers (APWU).   

When members see their shop stewards, local presidents and other union members out passing out fliers, there is an interest and an air of excitement. And maybe they get the chance to not only receive some important information but to have a good conversation and to catch up with their peers and leadership.

With only 75 days until the election, union mobilization activity is picking up across the state of Pennsylvania. Union leaders and activists are taking the opportunity to talk with their members about the important issues and getting leaflets out to the workplace in huge numbers. The Pennsylvania labor movement is 1.8 million strong and will truly make the difference in their state on Nov. 4. It is clear that if this hard work continues, that difference will be one that will help working families turn America around.

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