PRESS RELEASES from Laborers' International Union of America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jacob Hay, 202-942-2285 or jhay@liuna.org

As Change to Win Backs Senator Obama for President, LIUNA Abstains to Allow Internal Endorsement Process to Continue

Washington, D.C. (February 21, 2008) -- In line with its endorsement process, Change to Win unions representing two-thirds of the federation’s membership voted today to back Senator Barack Obama for President, while LIUNA abstained from the vote in order to allow its internal endorsement process to continue.

LIUNA General President Terence M. O’Sullivan made this statement following the Change to Win vote:

Senator Obama has proven himself to be a champion for working people and the membership of our union, as has Senator Hillary Clinton. We abstained from the vote in order to continue with our union’s endorsement process.

We have said for several months that a LIUNA endorsement would be a membership endorsement and would come when 60 percent of members are united behind a candidate. Since last fall we have reached out to thousands of members with the first national union webcast of Democratic candidates, more than a quarter million robo calls and text messages urging members to get involved in the process and two independent, random sample membership surveys.

The surveys show that while members are strongly united in wanting a Democrat in the White House who will address economic issues and help create jobs, they generally mirror the public in candidate preference with no one candidate earning 60 percent support.

A third membership survey will be conducted next week.

We will continue to inform and engage members around issues that matter – issues like taking care of the basics in our country and rebuilding America. And when members are united behind a candidate, that candidate will have the full support of the half-million strong LIUNA army.

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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of 10 million workers who produce 5 percent of the U.S. economic output.
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jacob Hay, 202-445-4788, jhay@liuna.org; or Richard Greer, 202-215-1562, rgreer@liuna.org

LIUNA Looks Toward Third Member Survey in Its Presidential Endorsement Process

Standing Apart, Union of Workers Who Build America Continues with Member Outreach and Input in Search For a Candidate Committed to Nation’s Basics

Washington, DC (February 15, 2008) – LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – will look toward a third survey of its members as it continues outreach efforts in its Presidential endorsement process.

The union – with a half-million collective bargaining members predominantly in the construction industry -- has instituted a member-driven process including two independent surveys, more than a quarter-million robo calls and text messages to members urging participation in primaries so far, nearly 1 million email and direct mail messages about the issues that matter and online feedback opportunities.

In each survey so far, members have generally reflected the candidate preferences of Democratic voters nationally. LIUNA will not endorse a candidate until one reaches 60 percent support. While no candidate has yet reached that threshold, members have clearly indicated support for a Democrat in the White House and agreement on the issues that matter: creating good jobs, health care and retirement security.

Members will be surveyed a third time in the near future.

“When we endorse a candidate, it will be a membership endorsement that carries the full power and strength of our members. Our goal is to engage members so they in turn can engage candidates around important issues,” LIUNA General President Terence O’Sullivan said. “Our members are on the forefront of the construction industry – an economic powerhouse of 10 million workers who produce 5 percent of the nation’s economic output – and they are looking for a “Build America” candidate, one who will put their everyday issues first, including the creation of good, family-supporting jobs with health care and a commitment to taking care of America’s basics by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure.”

As LIUNA members decide on a candidate, the union will continue ramping up member outreach and mobilization efforts with a primary turnout effort in Wisconsin that includes automated calls and text messages.

The effort is part of the Union’s 2008 election program which includes:

In his call to Wisconsin LIUNA members, O’Sullivan will urge their participation in the primary saying, “Everyday you do the work of building America and now is your chance to be heard.” Text messages to members will reiterate the importance of their involvement.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jacob Hay, 202-942-2285; jhay@liuna.org

LIUNA Ramps Up Member Engagement and Mobilization Searches for a “Build America” Candidate to Fight for the Basics

Washington, DC (February 5, 2008) – LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America –is ramping up its member outreach, information and mobilization efforts with a Super-Tuesday turnout effort across the country that includes automated calls and text messages to LIUNA members in primary states. The effort is part of the Union’s 2008 election program which includes:

In a Super-Tuesday eve robo call to members, LIUNA General President Terence O’Sullivan urged members to participate in their primaries or caucuses saying, “Everyday you do the work of building America and now is your chance to be heard.” Text messages to members reiterated the need to be involved.

“LIUNA’s half-million rank-and-file members are looking for a “Build America” candidate – one who will put their everyday issues first, including the creation of good, family-supporting jobs with health care and a commitment to taking care of our nation’s basics by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure,” O’Sullivan said. “Our goal is to engage our members – an army of one-half million strong – so that they can in turn engage the candidates.”

LIUNA has not endorsed a presidential candidate and does not intend to do so until one candidate earns 60 percent of membership support. Members’ presidential preference to date is shared among candidates and generally reflects national attitudes among Democratic voters, with no candidate yet winning 60 percent.

Members are strongly united on the issues and in the belief that a Democrat should be in the White House, with the No. 1 concern being jobs and the economy.

“We want the next President to have bold ideas to jump-start our economy and create good jobs, and one of the best ways to do that is with sustainable economic stimulus through infrastructure investment,” O’Sullivan said, noting that every $1 billion in investment creates 47,500 new jobs.

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The half-million members of LIUNA are on the forefront of the construction industry – a sector that is a powerhouse of 10 million workers who produce 5 percent of the nation’s economic output.