Union members wax political

RALEIGH - The state chapter of the AFL-CIO met for its 47th annual convention Thursday to discuss the issues that will have an impact on the November election.

The largely Democratic speakers touched on many topics, including improving life for working families, health care, federal trade policy and overtime pay policy.

AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson traveled to North Carolina to motivate workers to get involved in the election. "Life is worse today for working families," she said. "The legacy that we must leave is that we must make it better. You guys are going to have to do the work."

Chavez-Thompson emphasized that good jobs that support families have fallen by the wayside.

Ben Adams, a delegate for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, echoed Thompson's fears of job loss in North Carolina.

"The richer are getting richer. (The Bush) administration has little concern for working families."

Gov. Mike Easley also said it is important to look at job loss in working families.

"We are not going to slow down or stop until every family has a job," he said. "We cannot wait on help from Washington."

Chavez-Thompson added that drastic changes must be made, or college graduates will end up in jobs with a flat salary and without health insurance, pension or paid leave.

She said the AFL-CIO also fears that the administration's cut of overtime pay for some workers will directly affect millions of families in North Carolina. President Bush's current policy considers factors such as job duties and descriptions when considering who should receive overtime.

"I work in a glass plant," said Howard Hall, a member of the United Steelworkers of America. "My job is considered technical. With the new overtime policies, they could reclassify it and eliminate my overtime."

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue stressed the importance of raising the minimum wage for state workers and others. She also mentioned Bush's federal trade policy, saying it has had a negative impact on the state.

"You and I both know that it is the federal trade policy that has hurt us in N.C.," Perdue said. "You can't find a tobacco farmer that is not afraid for his job."

She said the last time the country saw an economic crisis and turned to the administration for a solution was in 1992, when Democrat Bill Clinton was elected president.

"In my heart, and in the hearts of many people, it is about the economy, stupid, just like it was in 1992," Perdue said.

But she said that this time around, the Bush administration is hurting American families.

Chavez-Thompson said if Democratic nominee John Kerry wins the White House and brings North Carolina's John Edwards with him as vice president, jobs in the state will be more secure.

"Six years ago, you sent us a senator named John Edwards," she said. "We are going to be so proud when he is the vice president."

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.