Remarks by Anna Burger at 2008 Post-Election News Briefing

National Press Club, Washington, DC
November 6, 2008

America's workers turned out. America's workers voted. America's workers won this election.

In no other election in the past 40 years, have the choices for workers been so clear---and, the mandate been so overwhelming---for a progressive economic agenda. In no other election, in history, have young workers played such a critical role.

On November 4, workers did not just turn the page -- they closed the book on the era of trickle down economics, tax breaks for the rich, golden parachutes for corporate executives and unrestrained greed.

Young workers did not look back to the political battles of the past 40 years---they looked forward to the future they want for themselves, their families, their country and their world.

Anxiety over the economy framed the election---but, it was hope and optimism for the future that determined the votes of workers.

Workers envision a new American Dream for the 21st century---based on respect for their work, wages that can support families, a health care system that focuses on healthy lives rather than corporate profits, jobs to build a green economy and energy independence, and a government that is engaged and effective in opening the opportunities for all Americans to reach for their dreams.

November 4 was the beginning -- not the end---of a workers political movement.

We won an election, now we will change the country.

Change to Win endorsed President-elect Barack Obama in February because his run for the White House was based on renewing hope for the middle class -- on restoring the American Dream for America's workers. Our unions played a vital role turning red states to blue:

  • LIUNA mobilized thousands of members in New Mexico, turning the state blue for Obama and putting Tom Udall in the U.S. Senate.
  • The Farm Workers lent top field directors directly to the Obama campaign. Oscar Gonzales, who took a leave from the UFW Foundation, directed the Latino GOTV efforts in Colorado and 8 UFW staff coordinated each of the major Latino city/neighborhood canvass and GOTV operations.
  • The United Food and Commercial Workers unleashed an unprecedented nationwide mobilization and outreach effort that reached millions of working families across the country. UFCW local unions nationwide, from New York and New Jersey to California and Washington gave up time with their families to volunteer in battleground states -- playing a crucial role in the victories of Obama and scores of Congressional, state, and local races.
  • UNITE HERE turned Nevada blue, focusing their efforts on turning out record numbers of Latinos voters for Obama -- with exit polls showing 76 percent of Latinos voting for Obama in the state.
  • SEIU turned Indiana blue, registering more than 14,000 new voters, helping ensure that voters in Lake County had access to early voting -- scoring a complete victory for the thousands of residents facing challenges getting to the polls on Election Day. SEIU members knocked on more than 64,000 doors, 185,000 calls, and drove more than 1,000 voters to the polls to early vote.
  • The Teamsters Union had more than 600 volunteers and staff working in Ohio to turn the state blue by turning out the vote for more than 65,000 members on Election Day. More than 1,000 Teamster job sites in the state have been visited at least four times each in the month leading up to the election by the union's volunteers and staff.

Change to Win ran a worker-driven program to win this election for working families. Now we'd like to welcome some of the voices of those workers who are a building a new workers movement that will change this country. But first, let's hear from UNITE HERE international vice-president Edgar Romney.

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