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Thursday,
October 3, 2002 “We’re bleeding jobs like a firehose and we’re frustrated and tired with inaction and inattention from our government,” said Buffenbarger after a meeting between labor representatives and the Democratic Steering Committee. The IP singled out Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend for mentioning jobs only twice during a recent debate with her right wing Republican rival. “We’re working hard to elect her governor, and she needs to hit that issue before every audience she faces,” said Buffenbarger. “Democratic candidates cannot afford to forget that jobs are the issue, not Iraq or something else. We met with the Senate leadership repeatedly on this issue and so far they have done nothing. We are running out of time and patience.” Transpo Unions
Demand Airline Worker Aid The union leaders called on Congress to assist laid-off aviation workers with six months of extended unemployment insurance, 75 percent health care subsidies and job training in addition to hiring rights for the unfilled aviation security jobs. In a separate resolution, the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Dept. slammed the federal loan guarantee program created by last fall’s airline bailout bill for imposing grossly unrealistic demands for employee wage and other concessions. Noting the fraction of available aid that has been granted, the resolution stated, “It was not Congress’ intent to permit the ATSB to exercise such broad powers to directly intervene in the collective bargaining process as it has on several occasions.” Key States Set to
End Voter Registration The registration deadline is fast approaching in Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington State and the District of Columbia. Many states end voter registration 29 or 28 days before the election, including: Arizona; Colorado; Florida; Illinois; Indiana; Kentucky; Missouri; New Jersey; New Mexico and Virginia. New York State allows voter registration to continue until 25 days before the election. In California, voter registration is permitted up to 15 days before the election. With polls showing many House, Senate and Governor’s contests tightening, turnout by union voters stands to make the difference in many critical races. Additional information and registration deadlines for each state can be found on the ‘Register to Vote’ link at www.goiam.org. GOP ‘Courts’ NJ
Senate Seat The furor stems from incumbent Sen. Robert Torricelli’s sudden resignation amid allegations of financial scandals. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the state’s Democratic party could replace Torricelli’s name on the ballot with that of former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, despite a state law that sets deadlines for such actions. The seven-member court’s unanimous ruling said the move was necessary to preserve the principle of a “full and fair ballot choice for the voters of New Jersey.” The fight takes on added importance as Democrats battle to hang on to their razor-thin Senate edge and Republicans struggle to overcome the difference. A half-dozen Senate seats are up for grabs in the November election and both sides are rolling out the heavy artillery. The U.S. Supreme Court handed the GOP a White House victory in a 5-to-4 ruling that let the Florida vote count stand. “The best way to resolve these differences is to let the people’s voice be heard,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “Print the ballots and let them vote, that’s the democratic way.” New Benefit
for IAM Retirees Midwest Territory
Staff Changes “As they say around the race track, ‘it’s been a good ride,’” Seidl said. On a related note, Bay announced that Sue Wilson, District 102 business rep, has been appointed a special representative for the Midwest Territory. Wilson, a 32-year member, served at the District 102 level for the past three years. Prior to that, she held many positions in IAM Local 2063 in Galesburg, IL. |
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