News & Updates

Unions Ramping Up GOTV Efforts to Elect Pro-Worker Candidates

KENTUCKY -- With less than a week before Election Day, Change to Win unions are working to change the political landscape of Kentucky and build the political power needed to strengthen workers' voices at all levels of government. Change to Win affiliates, including the United Food and Commercial Workers, the Teamsters and the Jefferson County Teachers Association have committed significant resources to mobilize hundreds of thousands of voters in support of pro-worker candidates through member-to-member outreach, volunteer hours and advertisements.

"Workers are crucial to this election," said Anna Burger, Chair of Change to Win. "It is working family issues that are driving this election and Change to Win is making sure their voices are heard on Tuesday. That's why our members are volunteering in a massive, grassroots effort at their worksites and in their communities to help elect candidates that will make the American Dream a reality for the working families of Kentucky."

The Working Families for Kentucky, a committee of worker representatives from Change to Win unions, began airing radio advertisements in central and western Kentucky in September targeting working families and value voters. The ads challenged candidates to address real Christian family values, such as good jobs, affordable education and health care for children. The group ran three different radio ads between September and October.

Following is a statement by Change to Win Executive Director Greg Tarpinian on the UAW strike against Chrysler LLC, in response to the company's failure to meet a tentative agreement to bring job security and health care funding for 45,000 UAW workers and their families.

Washington, D.C. -- The United Auto Workers Union (UAW) has been a leader in raising living and working standards for generations of working families. For decades, the UAW has made the American Dream a reality for American workers. Now, UAW members are again leading the fight, and are on the picket line defending the dream for today's workers and retirees.

The six million members of the Change to Win unions join in solidarity with UAW members on the picket line. We stand together to demand affordable health care, secure jobs, and living wages for UAW members and all Americans. The UAW's fight is America's fight.

Contact:

Noreen Nielsen or Chris Ortman, 202-721-0660, noreen.nielsen@changetowin.org, chris.ortman@changetowin.org