IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright, Jr., left, and his daughter Regina watch the second presidential debate on Sunday, October 9 in Columbus, OH.
The Ohio State Council of Machinists hosted a watch party for Sunday’s presidential debate, and the Machinists News Network was on hand to interview IAM members and working people. Dozens gathered at the District 54 union hall in Columbus to take in the second meeting of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Watch the Machinists News Network Pre-Debate Facebook Live Show.
From health care and wages to workers’ rights and Social Security, voters have a lot on their minds before the polls close on November 8. Ohio, a battleground state, is being watched especially closely.
Here’s what some Ohio union voters had to say:
Dennis Wright, IAM retiree:
“Hillary actually has a plan to restore Social Security. All we know is Mr. Trump wants to privatize Social Security.”
“We know [Trump] is pro-right to work, which would be just catastrophic for collective bargaining. That’s what protects benefits, helps protect workers in this country and helps maintain the middle class.”
Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO President:
“There’s 30 days left to get this election right for America. I believe we’re at a watershed moment right now where we have an opportunity. If you look at all the issues that have been discussed on the Republican side, the Democratic side all year long—these are our issues. The issues that we wanted to put front and center for decades now as it relates to trade, as it relates to raising wages for America, working rights, organizing—these are all right there now for the taking.
“One candidate in our opinion, Hillary Clinton, has the best plan by far to move America forward on those issues.”
James Smith, IAM Eastern Territory Chief of Staff:
“Trump clearly demonstrated that he’s not truly remorseful for any of his attacks regarding race, ethnicity, personal beliefs and most recently women. He also gave proof to the union members watching here tonight his willingness to not only use the power of the presidency for his own gain, but to attack and punish anyone who opposes him.”
Doug Sizemore, 31-year IAM member:
“Hillary Clinton—she’s got plans to invest in infrastructure, invest in jobs. She has plans, Donald Trump doesn’t have any plans.”
Jason Perlman, Ohio AFL-CIO Political Director:
“You have one candidate who while in the senate sponsored the Employee Free Choice Act, making it easier for workers to join a union, not harder. Meantime, you have one candidate who is facing NLRB charges, attacking workers at his hotels, taking every chance he gets to hurt workers, not help them.”
“If you take away the names and look at the records, there’s only one candidate out there that has been with working people and with union members every step of the way. That candidate is Hillary Clinton.”
Dean Wright, Jr., IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative:
“As a father of my daughter, I want her to have equal pay and everything that I’ve had as a man. As far as my wife, the way [Trump] talked about a married woman, it’s terrible. I hope people see it and realize it, and they vote for Hillary.”
Click here to watch the Machinists News Network Pre-Debate Facebook Live Show.
