Change to Win is Changing Politics in Kentucky

Unions Ramping Up GOTV Efforts to Elect Pro-Worker Candidates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 2, 2007

CONTACT:
Chris Sanders, 502-558-6337
Noreen Nielsen, 202-340-5934
noreen.nielsen@changetowin.org

KENTUCKY – With less than a week before Election Day, Change to Win unions are working to change the political landscape of Kentucky and build the political power needed to strengthen workers’ voices at all levels of government. Change to Win affiliates, including the United Food and Commercial Workers, the Teamsters and the Jefferson County Teachers Association have committed significant resources to mobilize hundreds of thousands of voters in support of pro-worker candidates through member-to-member outreach, volunteer hours and advertisements.

“Workers are crucial to this election,” said Anna Burger, Chair of Change to Win. “It is working family issues that are driving this election and Change to Win is making sure their voices are heard on Tuesday. That’s why our members are volunteering in a massive, grassroots effort at their worksites and in their communities to help elect candidates that will make the American Dream a reality for the working families of Kentucky.”

The Working Families for Kentucky, a committee of worker representatives from Change to Win unions, began airing radio advertisements in central and western Kentucky in September targeting working families and value voters. The ads challenged candidates to address real Christian family values, such as good jobs, affordable education and health care for children. The group ran three different radio ads between September and October.

Representing the largest unions in Kentucky, Change to Win activist members have also committed significant resources to mobilizing hundreds of thousands of voters through a comprehensive and strategic member-to-member outreach program. Change to Win affiliates are using state-of-the art turnout models to target union voters through hundreds of thousands of direct mail pieces and phone calls. They have held volunteer phone banks across the state, and have visited every worksite through their member-to-member organizing outreach program.

The UFCW Local 227 will kick-off the final GOTV push this Sunday, November 4 at a non-partisan event with the Reverend Dr. Markel Hutchins at the Eastern Star Baptist Church in a continued effort to boost turnout among working families and value voters in Tuesday’s elections. Change to Win affiliates will also provide rides to the polls on Election Day.