PRESS RELEASE from Change to Win

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 21, 2008
CONTACT: Noreen Nielsen or Greg Denier

RESTORING THE AMERICAN DREAM FOR WORKERS AT 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Change to Win Leaders Will Raise Workers Voices’ By Focusing On Issues Critical to Working Families

DENVER, CO. – More than 330 Change to Win delegates, labor leaders and members will gather in Denver next week for the 2008 Democratic National Convention to make sure the interests and concerns of working families are represented, and to promote the Working America Agenda for change. The issues most critical to working Americans today are reforming our government to make it work for working people again; the right of workers to join a union without fear of employer interference, intimidation, or coercion; affordable health care; a secure retirement; and, building a new green infrastructure to create good jobs and a sustainable economy for the next generation.

“This election is about change – changing our nation, our workplace, and our government so it works for working people once again,” said Anna Burger, Chair of Change to Win. “The seven unions of Change to Win will spend tens of millions of dollars and commit thousands of volunteer hours to contact members at their worksites and in their communities every day between now and November 4th to make sure Barack Obama is elected president and pro-worker majorities are put in the United States Congress. Change to Win is dedicated to building a new American Dream for working families and providing a better future for the next generation.”

Change to Win unions have been working tirelessly to bring workers’ voices and the issues most important to them – good jobs, affordable health care, economic fairness, the freedom to join a union without fear or intimidation – to the forefront of the election agenda. Since endorsing Barack Obama in February 2008, Change to Win members and volunteers have knocked on millions of doors, made millions of phone calls, and conducted member-to-member outreach at worksites across the country. Earlier this week, Change to Win launched the “McCain Truth Squad” bus tour: 9 workers traveling across 10 states to spread the truth about what a John McCain presidency would mean for working Americans and the entire nation, to raise workers’ voices at the Democratic National Convention and across America.

CHANGE TO WIN’S DEMOCRACTIC NATIONAL CONVENTION PROGRAM

Overview:

-- 330 Change to Win delegates, leaders and members will attend the Democratic National Convention.
-- Change to Win chair Anna Burger will use her prime-time Tuesday night Convention address to call for “Justice for All.”
-- The Change to Win Truth Squad will bring workers stories from across the country to Denver to expose the impact of McCain’s anti-worker agenda on real workers.
-- Local United Food and Commercial Worker members are hand-making nearly 100,000 signs for use at the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field.
-- Over 300 Colorado Change to Win members will commit hundreds of volunteer hours to the Convention.

SCHEDULE OF CHANGE TO WIN EVENTS (All Times Local)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2008

Change to Win Truth Squad Bus Tour Rally >
 The Change to Win Truth Squad will hold a rally exposing John McCain’s agenda to put the interests of Big Oil before the interests of working families.
When: 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: 15th and Welton Streets, (next to the Hyatt hotel)

Change to Win, AFL-CIO and NEA Labor Unity Rally
 Change to Win unions join other unions to welcome members from throughout the country at a reception to celebrate the opening of the Convention.
When: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Colorado Convention Center - Four Seasons Ballroom

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008

PANEL DISCUSSION: Creating a New American Dream for Workers
 INVITATION ONLY
 In association with SEIU, the Creative Coalition will host a morning reception, featuring SEIU members and socially conscious celebrities, to discuss the Employee Free Choice Act and the key role it plays in rebuilding the American economy.
When: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Tambien Restaurant, 250 Steele Street

Change to Win American Dream Forum
Change to Win, Lake Research Partners and the Economic Policy Institute host a forum on impact of the American Dream on America’s workers, including the release of a new poll on what Barack Obama needs to do to capture the working American vote in November; an analysis on the economic trends threatening the Dream; and a discussion of Change to Win’s action agenda and 2008 political program.
When: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Colorado Convention Center, Room 502

Symposium on Transportation Infrastructure
 Symposium on Transportation Infrastructure with former Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.), Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.), LIUNA General President Terence O’Sullivan, Policy Link President Angela Glover Blackwell, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), sponsored by the Democratic National Convention Committee.
When: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Space Theatre, 13th & Curtis Streets

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008

Special Film Sneak Preview and Celebration: Battle in Seattle
 Actress Charlize Theron and writer director Stuart Townsend will join Teamsters general president James Hoffa and United Steelworkers president Leo Gerard to preview Battle in Seattle, a new film about the protests at the Seattle WTO Ministerial
When: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Zengo’s Restaurant
1610 Little Raven Street
Riverfront Park

Change to Win Chair Anna Burger Addresses Democratic National Convention
When: Between 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Pepsi Center

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008

SEIU, HCAN, NEA and Progressive Allies Host a Rally to Fix Health Care Now!
Join health care advocates, working families, and celebrities like Chuck D, Death Cab for Cutie, and others in rallying for change. With live music, a health clinic, art exhibitions and more.
When: 2:00 p.m.
Where: Sunken Gardens Park, Corner of W 8th Avenue and Speer Boulevard

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