Organized Labor Expands Voter Strategy

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- Organized labor is stepping up its effort to educate, register and mobilize blacks, Hispanics, women and young voters -- using a model that proved so successful in 2000 that it was copied by some Republicans in elections two years later.

A new organization called Voices for Working Families hopes to raise $20 million to $25 million for a voter registration drive aimed at increasing participation, said Gerald McEntee, chairman of the group and president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

"Voices for Working Families will build on organized labor's successful political education campaign, we will take our campaign to working people whether in unions or not," McEntee said Monday. "Our strategy is to reach households in the targeted communities with at least 10 personal contacts, including door-to-door visits, telephone calls, mail and e-mail."

The political organization is one of many being set up to capture millions of dollars in unregulated money that can no longer be contributed to political parties under the campaign finance law. While the group is considered a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, it will work against the re-election of President Bush, who labor leaders have said pursues policies hostile to working families.

more..............

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-labor-minorities,0,7673976.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[Cha]

1. Go Unions!

Go Unions in California tomorrow!



Danny Glover campaigning with Gray Davis.