Dennis addresses labor leaders in Seattle
The following is a press release sent out by email from the Washington for Kucinich campaign office on November 9, 2003
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The Washington for Kucinich campaign would like to share with everyone the following press release which we sent today to media (newspapers, radio and TV stations) throughout Washington State.
The labor roundtable was the final event in Dennis's whirlwind visit this weekend, capping off a series of presentations that were a resounding success!
Matt Harris
Washington for Kucinich communications volunteer
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Washington for Kucinich
For immediate release: Nov 9, 2003
DENNIS J. KUCINICH (D-OH) ADDRESSES UNION LEADERS AT SEATTLE AIRPORT HILTON
Seattle, WA--Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich, candidate for president, received an enthusiastic reception at a Labor Roundtable yesterday with Washington State union leaders, including representatives from the ILWU, SEIU, SPEEA/IFPTE, UTU, and other labor unions. Kucinich is the only candidate who has a 98 percent lifetime pro-union voting record, the highest of all candidates as ranked by the AFL-CIO.
Explaining that WTO rules make it impossible to alter the NAFTA agreement, Kucinich vowed withdrawal from the WTO and cancellation of NAFTA as his first act in office. He plans to replace them with fair trade agreements that include labor and environmental protections.
"We could restore our steel industry alone... but the WTO won't let that happen," said Kucinich, noting an example of what's wrong with our current trade agreements. "This is why this whole thing is a nightmare... Free trade must be replaced with bilateral Fair Trade agreements in which the rights of workers to organize and enjoy the fruits of their labors must be uppermost."
A long-standing member of IATSE Local 600 of the AFL-CIO, and the son of a teamster, Kucinich believes that workers rights are human rights. He vowed that his administration will tenaciously defend the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively.
Kucinich's plan for single-payer, universal health care was received with great enthusiasm. Kucinich believes that health care should be a fundamental right, especially because "we're already paying for it." Through his plan, the money spent on creating profit for the insurance and pharmaceutical companies would be spent instead on caring for the health of every American.
Kucinich has offered legislation that reverses the Supreme Court's decision on The Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2001, a significant assault on employee rights. He introduced HR 5644 to repeal sections of the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 that allow for Presidential interventions in strikes and lockouts. He considers these sections of Taft-Hartley an aggressively anti-union weapon that undermines the collective bargaining rights of working people.
A highlight of the roundtable came as labor leaders presented Kucinich with a letter of endorsement for his presidential candidacy, and a certificate from the America in Solidarity campaign (Vance Lelli, Longshore Workers Chairman for the Dennis Kucinich Campaign, Vice President of the Washington State Labor Council, President of the Pierce County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and Executive Board member of the ILWU Local 23; Roger Boespflug, President of ILWU Local 23; and Todd Iverson, of America in Solidarity).
"Our main reason to elect Dennis," said Lelli, "is that he is the first candidate to stand up and say 'I'm running for President and I want to change this Taft-Hartley.' Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate who has a 100% coverage plan right now with Universal Health Care. Dennis will stop the Patriot Act. And we [the ILWU] realize when there is fair trade in this world there is going to be more trade in this world--and that's what we want."
Alison Longley, SEIU member, summed it up for many when she said: "I'm learning more about Dennis Kucinich, and as I learn more I realize that he is our candidate. He's definitely standing for what I would like to see. He's just incredible. He's actually a successful politician who has morals and is working for people like us."
For more information about Labor for Kucinich: http://kucinich.us/labor.php
For information about the national Kucinich campaign: http://www.kucinich.us
For information about the Washington Kucinich campaign: http://www.kucinich-washington.org
For Rep. Kucinich's Schedule: http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.htm
Washington Contact: Patty Kuderer 206.910.2422 campaign@kucinich-washington.org, or Gerri Haynes 425.822.5990 iggydog@aol.com
National Camapign Contact: David Swanson 202-329-7847 swanson@kucinich.us
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