Workers in New York Times Ad to Congress: Congrats

Now it's Time to Walk the Talk on Health Care and the Economy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2006

CONTACT:
TJ Michels, (202) 236-1223

WASHINGTON, DC – Following news that a historic victory in Virginia would build a pro-worker majority in the U.S. Senate as well as the House, union activists who helped turn out the winning votes are gearing up to welcome their new leadership – with an expectation. In a full-page ad to run in this Sunday’s New York Times, members of the Change to Win unions put Members of the 110th Congress on notice they will hold them accountable on issues they campaigned on like health care and good jobs.

The ad features everyday workers – a police officer, a delivery truck driver, others – and reminds the men and women who will soon represent them in Washington: “We’re working hard to achieve the American Dream…We expect Congress to do its part.”

Independent election week polling confirms a majority of voters share this belief and want their new leaders to make economic issues a key focus next session. When asked what the new Congress’ priorities should be, 60 percent chose an agenda to strengthen American families by creating new, good-paying jobs and working towards solutions on health care and retirement. Seventy-four percent think their legislators should make health care a high priority, according to the poll released Thursday by Lake Research Partners.

The ad also expresses workers’ hope for change and willingness to work with their new representatives in Washington to help restore the American Dream – a paycheck that supports a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and most of all, a better life for our kids. The full ad is available at
http://www.changetowin.org/fileadmin/pdf/nyt_ad.pdf.

“Workers took action because they wanted change in this country,” said Change to Win Chair Anna Burger. “Now it’s time for Congress to do the same.”

Burger said the activists were planning meetings and grassroots events with their new legislators at all levels of government, in their home districts, state capitols and Washington D.C., to talk about ways workers could help enact real solutions on issues that matter to their families.

Truck drivers, janitors, grocery store clerks, carpenters, health care workers, laborers and others united in the CtW unions helped center the worker-to-worker contact program among union member households across the country. In all, they knocked on 2.3 million doors, made 6.9 million phone calls, distributed 5.6 million worksite flyers, and contributed 356,731 volunteer hours with overwhelming wins for candidates and initiatives that can make a difference for working people.