RWDSU Participates in Political Forum for Presidential Candidates (8/20/07)

RWDSU Local 110 members were among the working people who gathered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday to participate in the "Workers for a Better America" forum, a Hawkeye Labor Council event that hosted six of the leading Democratic candidates for president.

Senators Hillary Clinton, of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois, Chris Dodd of Connecticut, Joe Biden of Delaware, former senator John Edwards of North Carolina, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio joined about 2,000 labor activists to present their views on unions and issues important to working families.
The candidates pledged support for the Employee Free Choice Act, Democratic pro-union legislation that passed in the House of Senate but is not likely to pass due to Republican opposition. They also discussed issues that are important to union members and working people. Health care, education and creating jobs were among the topics on the agenda.
"This was an important event for union members here in Iowa," said former RWDSU Local 110 President Justin Shields, who now serves as president of the Hawkeye Labor Council. "RWDSU and other members in this area have a crucial stake in the 2008 presidential contest, especially after two terms of Republican attacks on working people."
"We get involved in events like this to present our issues to the candidates, and to make sure that they know if they want our support they need to make working families' issues a top priority of their campaigns," added Al Hartl, Local 110 President.