Workers in Change to Win Unions Help Bring Pro-Worker Candidates to Victory

Activists Call on New Leadership to Help Restore the American Dream


American workers sent a clear message yesterday that they are ready for new leaders who will stand up for issues important to their families, following a massive voter turnout program spearheaded by members of the most politically active unions in the country.

"For months, workers from the Change to Win unions have pounded the pavement to help elect leaders who will fight to make work pay for ordinary Americans, not just corporate America," said CtW Chair Anna Burger. "And voters united behind that hope for change at the polls."

Activists from the 6-million strong labor federation helped shape the outcome of this election by committing significant resources and contributing the people-power and organizing know- how to the largest grassroots mobilization of union members ever in a midterm election.

Truck drivers, janitors, grocery store clerks, carpenters, health care workers and others united in the CtW unions helped center the worker-to-worker contact program within a universe of 6 million CtW 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 to support candidates and initiatives that can make a difference for working people.

Shannon Ross, a UNITE/HERE member who was forced to live on minimum wage before her co-workers formed a union at a St. Louis laundry facility, got active for the first time in a political cycle to help give a raise to other Missouri workers.

"I helped raise the minimum wage by raising my voice," said Ross, who also helped elect a new U.S. Senator who has pledged to represent Missouri's working families in Washington. "Congress had left so many hard-working people out in the cold so I'm excited union workers like me here and in five others states took matters into our own hands."

In addition to working with the entire labor movement and other progressive partners on congressional races in all 50 states, both new and seasoned activists from the CtW unions also focused a comprehensive, strategic program around U.S. Senate, gubernatorial and down-ballot races in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, where CtW represents close to one million members, resulting in wins in key races in all three states.

The members of Change to Win affiliates today celebrated their hard work had paid off, but recognized their work is not over and plan to hold the 110th Congress and other politicians accountable for bringing changes to the polices that affect working families.

"Activists from Change to Win welcome their new leadership, but with an expectation. These new leaders must do their part to 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," said Burger.

"We will continue to do our part by helping workers unite in their industries to change their lives. Together, we will make work pay in this country again."