UFCW Takes Crucial Role in State Politics
Another election year is upon us, and as usual there is much to be gained or lost.
By the time you receive this issue of the Messenger, the primaries will be over and we will be heading into the general election on Nov. 2.
On that day, California’s voters will make their final decisions as to who will hold all of the statewide political offices, as well as Barbara Boxer’s seat in the United States Senate and many local offices. They will also vote on several important ballot propositions.
As president of the California Labor Federation, the umbrella organization for the state’s Labor Movement, it’s my job to work with other unions to ensure that as many pro-worker candidates are elected as possible.
The 10 UFCW local unions in California represent a growing political power and will perform a significant role in this crucial effort.
Early Preparation
Back in December, when we started making plans for the 2010 election cycle, one of our first goals was to increase the number of registered UFCW voters in all of our jurisdictions.
We began by asking all of the locals to send their political coordinators to a meeting and come up with a game plan. Our representative at this meeting was Mark Ramos.
After the plan was developed, it was shared with all of the UFCW union representatives in the state. The goal for each union was to increase its registered voters by 10 percent.
Over a five-week period, all of the locals focused on registering their members to vote. At local 1428, I’m proud to say that we reached and surpassed our goal by registering 25 percent more members.
Statewide, by the end of the program, we registered 10,606 UFCW members to vote! That is an incredible number and it just might get us over the top to put Jerry Brown back in the governor’s office.
Throughout the summer and right up until election day, Local 1428 will be walking neighborhoods and making phone calls to our members. We would love to have your help.
I ask each of you to consider donating a couple of hours to help us elect candidates who support working families. We will need these supporters in office when we go into contract negotiations in 2011.
We will also have signs that you can display in your yard or windows.
Call today and let us know how you can help.
When we work together we win together!
In Solidarity,
Connie M. Leyva, President
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UFCW National News
