Obama Rallies Machinists in Florida
September 12, 2008
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Lake Buena Vista, FL, September 12, 2008 – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke today via two-way satellite to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), gathered in Florida for their national convention. The Machinists Union endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket earlier this week.
Sen. Obama brought the crowd of more than 2,500 to their feet repeatedly, first thanking them for their endorsement and then with declarations of solidarity for Machinists at Harley-Davidson and the 27,000 IAM members at Boeing facilities around the country.
“As we speak this morning, your brothers and sisters in Washington state, Oregon and Kansas are preparing for a new day’s shift on the picket line,” said Obama, who delivered his remarks via satellite from New York . “And even though I can’t be with them or you today – I stand with you.”
Full text of Sen. Obama’s remarks can be found at www.goiam.org.
Obama was welcomed by IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, who declared the IAM would go “all in” for the Obama-Biden ticket; registering voters, getting people to the polls and educating its members on the importance of the upcoming election.
“Senator Obama, the IAM is counting on you, and you can count on us,” declared Buffenbarger as the crowd roared its approval.
The IAM is among the nation’s largest industrial trade unions, representing over 700,000 active and retired members in airline, aerospace, manufacturing, railroad, woodworking and shipbuilding industries. For more information, go to www.goiam.org.
