AN INVITATION FOR PHILLY AREA KOSSACKS

USW Local 10-1 is proud to present "An Evening With Charles Kernaghan."  Charles who?  Charles Kernaghan.  Better known simply as Charlie.  Or, if you prefer, The Man Who Made Kathie Lee Cry.  Charlie Kernaghan is internationally known (and internationally despised) as the Executive Director of the National Labor Committee.

Wednesday August 13, 2008 -- 6 PM
Chichester Avenue, Linwood, PA

This is an open invitation for all Kossacks.

more after the jump...

Short but sweet.

Pittsburgh – The United Steelworkers today issued the following statement of endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President:

"When the presidential primary contests began last year, our Union felt strongly that because of Senator John Edwards’s deep commitment to working people and because of our shared beliefs, he deserved our strong endorsement.  His belief that unfair trade policies must be changed, his commitment to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to restore workers’ rights to freely choose workplace representation, and his proposal for universal health care were widely shared by our members.

"Today, by virtue of a unanimous vote of our International Executive Board, we find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama.  And thus today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.

I know, I know, not enough substance for a diary but there's no open thread topping the front page right now. At least give me credit for not using BREAKING!!!

I get one diary a day on here, damnit.  From Chokeholds in Detroit to Lock outs in Van Wert Ohio, there simply isn't enough time in the day to remind all of us that our jobs do matter. That work matters. That we matter.

So, this morning, I opened my e-mail and found that UNITE-HERE is struggling to make jobs in Canada matter at the Men's Warehouse.  You see, Men's Warehouse has decided to close their factory and move.

Here on the ground in Iowa, supporters are working on last minute GOTC efforts around the state. In Des Moines, at the United Steelworkers Local 164, a serious GOTC operation is in full swing.

Last night, as part of the 36 Hour Marathon for the Middle Class, John and Elizabeth Edwards stopped in at the United Steelworkers Local 164 for a rally.

   Three weeks ago, I took a look at where unions might end up in the Democratic presidential primary race. There has been a fair amount of movement so it’s a good time to check back and see where we are—with some general analysis. Here, and down the line, I’m generally going to focus on national unions, with some exceptions where it makes sense.

First off, HAPPY LABOR DAY!

John Edwards just formally accepted the endorsement of two big industrial unions, the United Steelworkers (USW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) at a labor day rally in Pittsburgh PA.  The USW is a BIG one with 1.2 million members and is the largest private industrial union, and the UMWA is a good size one too, with over 100,000 members.

Edwards statement and my analysis over the break.

I just got back from Pittsburgh's annual Labor Day parade.  I am a member of the United Steel Worker's Union, although I am not a steel worker. I woke up early and brought my 5 and 7 year old boys downtown so we could see John Edwards accept our union's endorsement.   John Edwards did not disappoint.  

today two major labor unions backed john edwards over barack (i refuse to go into details about my plans) obama and hillary (the hand that gives is the one that takes) clinton

HAPPY LABOR DAY to all!

Today, in Pittsburgh, John Edwards will receive the endorsement of two major labor unions: the United Steelworkers (USW) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). The Steelworkers and the Mine Workers join the Carpenters, Joiners Union in standing with Edwards, combining for over 1.8 million union members to say, in the words of John Gerard of the Steelworkers,

It’s time we had a president who will fight for working people – and that’s what John Edwards will do."

In an move that should surprise exactly... well... nobody, the United Steelworkers announced their endorsement of John Edwards for President today.

more after the jump...

Unions are in high gear getting out the vote around the country. There's so much going on, it's hard to capture it all. But wanted to share with you a slice of what it's like in the field. Mike Hall, who blogs for us at the AFL-CIO in Washington, D.C., is in heavily Republican WI CD 8, Green Bay, Wis., where he's phone banking, walking door to door talking with union members--and much more. Here's his latest dispatch from the North (cross-posted from AFL-CIO Now).

Talk about Rapid Response. Last week in Green Bay, the big chiefs at the Georgia-Pacific paper plant thought they had the picture perfect photo op for Republican 8th Congressional District candidate John Gard--a plant tour where he could mingle with a bunch of happy workers.

After all, anybody who might spot the photo wouldn't know that the 500-plus United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9 members at the plant are strongly and actively backing Gard's opponent Steve Kagen. The long-held Republican seat is up for grabs and could be one of the 15 turn-around races that will end Republican House rule.

Well you gotta get up pretty early to pull a fast one on educated union members.