As readers may remember, CWA led a 10-year long battle for federal regulations protecting workers from repetitive motion injuries. We won because of our political and legislative efforts. But then the 2000 election happened. George W. Bush became president, anti-worker extremists retained control of Congress, and the ergonomics standard was repealed.

That’s just one way politics affects your life. I’ll give you some other one-word answers to that question:

Wages. Benefits. Bargaining. Education. Health. Retirement security. Organizing rights.

As you will read most areas of our lives are directly affected by politics. Anything we win at the bargaining table can be taken away by an act of Congress or a state legislature, by the pen of a president or governor. Conversely, anything we can’t win in bargaining we can gain through political action. Moreover, our ability to organize and increase our bargaining clout at contract time is affected by the state of labor law and enforcement – or lack thereof.

Never forget that it was labor’s political leadership that won so many protections we take for granted today – the 40-hour work week, time-and-a-half for overtime, the minimum wage, the right to collective bargaining, Social Security, Medicare, and civil rights laws, for example.

And never forget that today, the powers that be are working fervently to roll back many of these longstanding gains, turning back the clock 100 years. Most of all, they long for a world without unions.

If we don’t do everything we can to stop them, who can?

Of course, there are no guarantees. Even when we give it our all, that’s not always enough. The 2004 elections were testimony to that.

But sometimes, it is. We stopped President Bush’s scheme to privatize Social Security dead in its tracks. With the same effort, we will defeat his bizarre health savings accounts proposal that would reward the wealthy and healthy, while punishing the poor and sick. And if all CWA members do our part, we can retake control of Congress for working families this November.

There is one thing we know for sure – if we don’t give our maximum effort, we will lose not only elections, but every value we hold dear, every gain we have won, and even our hope for the future. After all, our adversaries are out there in force with their highly paid lobbyists and lavish campaign contributions.

We have no choice but to fight.

Politics is not a spectator sport. Whether we like it or not, we are all participants in our democracy. We not only have the right, but the obligation to make the voices of CWA members and working families heard in the corridors of the U.S. and state capitals, in the White House and executive mansions, in local governments and at the ballot box on Election Day.

There is one thing we know for sure – if we don’t give our maximum effort, we will lose not only elections, but every value we hold dear, every gain we have won, and even our hope for the future. After all, our adversaries are out there in force with their highly paid lobbyists and lavish campaign contributions.

So why political action? Because it affects every aspect of our lives as members of the CWA Family.

Why political action? Because it gives us the power to make a difference.

We can either use that power…or we can lose it. I urge you to use it like never before. If we do, I believe we will once again change America.

From “CWA News – April-May 2006”

This is a very strong and concise statement made by Barbara J. Easterling, the CWA Secretary/Treasurer. We all must be diligent, and follow her lead.

With the 2006 Primary coming up on June 6^th, we all need to get out and support our Democratic Candidates and Ballot Measures.

In the Indio area, we have a strong candidate running for Calf. State Assembly in District 80. His name is Steve Clute.

Steve Clute with Stan Steffan & Dave Whitfield at recent meeting.

 Here are some words from Steve’s campaign.

 “This year is a very important election year for our state. My campaign staff and I have been working diligently for the past year to put our finger on the pulse of our complex and diverse Assembly District.

Many voters in the district believe this election is winnable if the voters of the 80^th Assembly District come out and vote. I plan to be out in the district attending events, and don’t be surprised if I show up at your place of business, or even your home.

I will do what is necessary to increase voter awareness and more importantly voter turnout in the upcoming election. Families are very busy these days with a lot on their minds such as their mortgage, health care, and most important, issues related to our seniors and children. That is why I support and strongly encourage you all to get out and vote. We are conducting a comprehensive ground campaign throughout the district and the response has been heartwarming.

I know your time is tight, but if you happen to see me in the neighborhood, please take the time to stop and say ‘Hi’. I would enjoy meeting you.“

Sincerely, Steve Clute.  

Steve Clute is endorsed by both the California Labor Federation (AFL-CIO) and the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council.

Regarding the Ballot measures for the June 6^th election:

Proposition 81- California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2006; our endorsement is: YES 

Proposition 82-  Preschool Education. Tax on incomes over $400,000 for individuals ; $800,000 for couples. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. Our endorsement is: YES.

State Constitutional Offices:

Governor- Phil Angelides (D)

Leiut. Gov.- John Garamendi (D)

Attor. Gen.- Dual; Jerry Brown (D)

and Rocky Delgadillo (D).

Sec. of State –Debra Bowen (D)

Treasurer- Bill Lockyer (D)

Controller – Dual John Chiang (D)

and John Dunn (D).

Superintendent of Public Instruction – Jack O’Connell

Insurance Comm. – Cruz Bustamante (D)

Please check for your Local Districts concerning your California State Assembly Candidates and State Senate Candidates.

All the Candidates are Democratic Party Representatives for each area.

Please, I can’t stress enough, the importance of getting out to vote. Get out on June 6^th to get our representatives on the ballot for November. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at: StevePinCA@msn.com. 

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely, Steve P.- Steward at the Indio Yard, Local 9588.

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