ATU Members Get Out the Vote 

With only 8 days to go before election day, ATU members across the country are helping spread the word about why Barack Obama is the best candidate for transit workers! 

You can help too!  Contact your local union office for information on how you can help get out the vote in the final days!

As the election nears, several ATU locals have pumped up their membership communication efforts.

In Portland, Oregon, 40 ATU members from Local 757 showed up for a rally and labor-to-labor canvass with U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley.  Earlier in the week, Local 757 President Jon Hunt and Political Coordinator Mike Pucik passed out ATU for Obama buttons at leaflets at Tri-Met and Portland Public School worksites.

In Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, local officers and activists from Local 1005 went to three Metro Transit worksites last Friday to pass out ATU for Obama tshirts and to talk to members about the election.  Members were told why the union has endorsed Obama and U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken. 

Nearby, in LaCrosse, WI, more than 25% of Local 519's membership showed up for a labor neighbor canvas on Saturday to support Barack Obama.  Members went to a fantastic lunch at Local 519 President/Business Agent Dale Anderson's house following the canvas, where they were joined by members from Local 1310 in Eau Claire, WI.  Check out this video of ATU members in Wisconsin talking about Barack Obama:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4CEktuJpdM.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday, after hearing from U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton on Friday, dozens of ATU Local 85 members canvassed and phone banked union households to talk about the election.  AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka greeted the volunteers and offered encouragement in the final days of the campaign.

In New York, members from ATU Local 1056 have been phone banking to members in battelground states.  ATU International staff have also been on the phone to union members in crucial states nationwide.

More ATU locals have activities planned this week.  In Ohio and Northern Virginia, locals are planning worksite visits, phone banks and canvasses.  Many locals are working on getting one last letter out to their members before they vote next Tuesday!

Be a part of this effort!  Contact your ATU Local Union officers to find out how you can get involved.

And don't forget to VOTE on November 4th (or before, if your state allows)!