The president was clearly relaxed as he addressed some 3,000 union members and guests to the convention, including workers from all 50 states and many different occupations. After a warm introduction by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and prolonged applause, Obama noted, “You guys are making me blush.”
He went on to thank unions for their support of his candidacy and his presidency. “You know, the White House is pretty nice, but there’s nothing like being back in the House of Labor.”
When a woman shouted out, “We love you!” Obama responded, “I love you, too, sister,” and he addressed the crowd much like a labor leader, referring to delegates as “Brothers and Sisters.”
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| President Obama addresses the convention as union presidents look on. Photo by Steve Share |
The meat of the speech focused on three areas of chief concern to organized labor: the economy, health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act. Obama said stimulus legislation enacted earlier this year is creating jobs, but it would take time to overcome the economic devastation inflicted during George W. Bush’s administration.
Earlier Tuesday, he visited a General Motors plant in Youngstown, Ohio, that is rehiring about 1,000 workers “to make the cars of tomorrow.” Americans are going back to work building roads and bridges and millions more will find work in the new “clean energy economy,” Obama said.
Americans won’t fully recover, however, unless the rising cost of health care is addressed, the president said. “Now is the time for action. Now is the time to deliver on health insurance reform.”
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| Delegates held up signs reading "Health care can\'t wait." Photo by Steve Share |
Americans without coverage would have access to affordable insurance, Obama said. To accomplish that, any plan must include a public option to private insurance “to offer Americans more choices, promote real competition and put pressure on private insurers to make their policies affordable and treat their customers better.”
As he did at a Labor Day rally in Cincinnati, Obama praised the labor movement as a force for improving the lives of all Americans and reaffirmed his support for the Employee Free Choice Act, proposed legislation to make it easier for workers to have a voice on the job.
He recalled significant labor struggles that had taken place in Pennsylvania, including the great railroad strike of 1877, the Homestead steel strike of 1892 and the Steelworker organizing drives of the 1930s. In particular, he noted the historic victories by workers at the Jones and Laughlin\'s Aliquippa Works, despite management efforts to use race and ethnic background to divide people.
“I know that if America can come together like Aliquippa – and rise above barriers of faith and race, region and party . . . we will make possible the dreams of middle class families and make real the promise of the United States of America,” Obama said.
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View the entire Obama speech on the AFL-CIO convention website
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The president was clearly relaxed as he addressed some 3,000 union members and guests to the convention, including workers from all 50 states and many different occupations. After a warm introduction by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and prolonged applause, Obama noted, “You guys are making me blush.”
He went on to thank unions for their support of his candidacy and his presidency. “You know, the White House is pretty nice, but there’s nothing like being back in the House of Labor.”
When a woman shouted out, “We love you!” Obama responded, “I love you, too, sister,” and he addressed the crowd much like a labor leader, referring to delegates as “Brothers and Sisters.”
|
| President Obama addresses the convention as union presidents look on.
Photo by Steve Share |
The meat of the speech focused on three areas of chief concern to organized labor: the economy, health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act. Obama said stimulus legislation enacted earlier this year is creating jobs, but it would take time to overcome the economic devastation inflicted during George W. Bush’s administration.
Earlier Tuesday, he visited a General Motors plant in Youngstown, Ohio, that is rehiring about 1,000 workers “to make the cars of tomorrow.” Americans are going back to work building roads and bridges and millions more will find work in the new “clean energy economy,” Obama said.
Americans won’t fully recover, however, unless the rising cost of health care is addressed, the president said. “Now is the time for action. Now is the time to deliver on health insurance reform.”
|
| Delegates held up signs reading "Health care can\’t wait."
Photo by Steve Share |
For people with insurance, the Obama plan will “make your insurance work better for you” by stopping insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions or dropping people who get sick, he said. Proposed legislation would place a cap on out-of-pocket expenses and require insurers to cover routine checkups and preventive procedures such as mammograms.
Americans without coverage would have access to affordable insurance, Obama said. To accomplish that, any plan must include a public option to private insurance “to offer Americans more choices, promote real competition and put pressure on private insurers to make their policies affordable and treat their customers better.”
As he did at a Labor Day rally in Cincinnati, Obama praised the labor movement as a force for improving the lives of all Americans and reaffirmed his support for the Employee Free Choice Act, proposed legislation to make it easier for workers to have a voice on the job.
He recalled significant labor struggles that had taken place in Pennsylvania, including the great railroad strike of 1877, the Homestead steel strike of 1892 and the Steelworker organizing drives of the 1930s. In particular, he noted the historic victories by workers at the Jones and Laughlin\’s Aliquippa Works, despite management efforts to use race and ethnic background to divide people.
“I know that if America can come together like Aliquippa – and rise above barriers of faith and race, region and party . . . we will make possible the dreams of middle class families and make real the promise of the United States of America,” Obama said.
Video
View the entire Obama speech on the AFL-CIO convention website