Karen Hickey, Wisconsin AFL-CIO political field communications assistant, sends us this report.
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) joined more than 150 union members at a recent labor walk in Milwaukee to thank volunteers for their hard work this election. We went door to door to talk with union members in support of Wisconsin State AFL-CIO endorsed candidates Sen. Russ Feingold (D) and gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett (D).
Says Penny Amos-Sikora, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 998 legislative director:
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Rep. Moore really energized the participants. She reminded us that big changes are never quick and easy, but we are making progress on issues like healthcare and job creation because union members are engaged in politics. Even when the pace of improvements is frustrating, we have to hang onto and strengthen working family majorities, not just in the federal government, but in state and local government, too.
Moore reminded us that since 1959, Congress has extended unemployment benefits during times of crisis. Yet this year, many members of Congress turned their backs on the unemployed and played brazen partisan politics with relief American families need. Come November, we must remember!
Moore also pointed out that a lot has been accomplished in the past two years, and working people need to send strong majorities back to Congress to build upon the gains that have been made.
This is not a time to backslide. Now is the time to bristle up and to harden up, now is the time to preserve gains made so that we can move forward with our agenda.
Don’t let this election season pass you by; get involved with your local Labor 2010 program today to keep America moving in the right direction!