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THE ILWU SUPPORTS SENATOR JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT
HERALD
UGLES, chair of Local 19 PAC, says it is very important that the ILWU stands up
for Senator John Kerry and the Democratic party.
Bush and company have attacked the working people of this country since
day one.
As
President Kerry will respect the
rights of Unions and let us have a voice in the democratic process.
Bush Inc. has equated unionism with terrorism. Tom Ridge labeled the ILWU
"economic terrorist" during the lockout and the head of education
called the teacher Unions terrorist.
The
real "economic terrorists" are Enron, Halliburton and the oil
companies reaping billions of dollars out of the hides of American workers.
With
President Kerry we can expect to see a reversal of all the executive orders Bush
Inc. signed against the American workers.
Some of the laws passed by Congress will take longer but that is why it
is important to also help elect Democrats for Congress.
In
2002 we learned how important it was to have sympathetic politicians.
Harry Bridges knew of the importance and we as a younger generation had
to relearn the lesson. To prepare
for the 2008 contract we must elect politicians who understand it is the workers
of this country that make it strong, not the multinational companies who
outsource jobs and take massive tax cuts.
On
the local level ILWU Local 19 helped elect Alec Fisken to Port of Seattle Commission to save pier 46 for
now. Next year we have 3 Port
Commissioners, five City of Seattle Council seats and the Mayor up for
re-election. We must step up and get
more involved on all levels.
It
is important for all ILWU members and pensioners to look beyond the
misinformation and half truths and ask ourselves is Bush Inc. bringing this
country down the right road? I don't
think so.
So
let's get off our butts and register people to vote, volunteer at phone banks,
and most important, donate money to the candidates you believe in.
Thank you for giving me the honor to address this important issue in the
famous “RUSTY HOOK”.
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