AFL-CIO President John Sweeney will keynote a rally Tuesday, Oct. 19, to encourage union members to get out the vote for the Nov. 2 election. Labor unions also plan GOTV rallies in five other locations.

The Twin Cities rally will run from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton, 1330 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis. It is sponsored by the Minnesota AFL-CIO Labor 2004.

The focus will be firing up union members about turning out voters, the federation said. After the rally, participants will doorknock union households.

In addition to the Twin Cities rally, GOTV events are planned in the following areas:
East Central, Monday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m. at the Labor Home in St. Cloud
Northwest, Monday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m. at the Northern Plains Labor Council in Fargo, N.D.
Southeast, Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. at the IUOE Local 49 hall in Rochester
Northeast, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 7:15 p.m. at Wellstone Hall in the Duluth Labor Temple; and
Iron Range, Monday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at Tom and Jerry's Bar in Chisholm.

The 2004 election is critical for working people, Sweeney said. The labor federation has endorsed John Kerry for president, saying he offers the best plan for turning around the U.S. economy.