Labor Unites
Behind Obama
In endorsing Obama, Local 26 joins a number of labor groups
who have formally announced their support of the Illinois Senator over the past
few months. The AFL-CIO, the nation’s
largest labor organization, endorsed Obama this past July, as did the Change to
Win coalition, which split from the AFL-CIO in 2006.
The United Association had endorsed Obama during his primary campaign and
was the first presidential candidate to ask organized labor for their support.
Sen. Obama “knows what it’s going to take to create an economy
that works for everyone, not just the Big Oil, Big Pharmaceuticals, the insurance
companies, or the giant mortgage companies,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney,
in announcing his organizations endorsement.
His election, Sweeney said, “will help our nation chart a course that will improve
life for generations of working class people and their children.”
STRONG ON ISSUES
Sen.
Obama has proved himself a strong supporter of labor, with a voting record in stark
opposition to Republican nominee John McCain.
On some key issues:
·
Obama voted against
the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and vowed that any trade agreements
must include provisions enforcing fair labor standards.
McCain voted for the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), CAFTA and
favors the Columbian Free Trade Agreement.
·
Obama supported
overtime pay, an increased minimum wage and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). McCain voted against EFCA, and opposed
the collective bargaining rights for Federal Employees.
·
Obama protected
Social Security and Medicare, and
opposes privitizing
Social Security. McCain favors replacing
Social Security with private retirement accounts and voted to raise the age to qualify
for Medicare to age 68 while reducing benefits.