Washington, D.C., November 06, 2006 –“A massive transformation of the nation’s political landscape is in the making,” declared Tom Buffenbarger, president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). “If working families turn out as expected tomorrow, we could see a landslide victory in the thirty-six gubernatorial races.
“Governors directly affect the lives and livelihoods of our members. Their economic development programs can mean more jobs. Their education plans can mean new opportunities for working class kids. And their appointments of public utility commissioners and insurance regulators can mean lower monthly utility bills and insurance premiums,” explained Buffenbarger.
“The IAM spent the last eighteen months educating its members about these issues and the impact governors have on their lives and livelihoods,” said Buffenbarger. “And I think that effort will pay huge dividends tomorrow. Then, over the next four years, our members will have a chance to work with governors who care about working families.
“With the stroke of a pen, a labor-friendly governor can expand collective bargaining rights, limit outsourcing of state jobs and provide funding for public works projects,” said Buffenbarger. “Regardless of what happens in the House and Senate, we expect to benefit from the shakeup in governors’ mansions on Election Day.”
Of the 36 governor’s offices up for grabs on November 7, labor-friendly gubernatorial candidates are expected to prevail in key states of Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan and Colorado.
Founded in 1888, the IAM is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America, representing nearly 700,000 active and retired members in transportation, aerospace, woodworking, shipbuilding and manufacturing sectors. For more information about the IAM, visit their website at www.goiam.org.
