The majority of unions in both labor federations have endorsed Democrats Barack Obama for president and Al Franken for U.S. Senate from Minnesota. In addition, they are working to elect worker-friendly candidates in many U.S. House and local races.

"We need to elect better people to office," said Larry Koenck, a retired teacher who was out doorknocking to talk to other union members about the election.

"Everything\'s been getting worse the last 8 years – from the economy to education policy to health care. People in office right now don\'t care about anything but the bottom dollar. I could find easier work than this [union activism] but it\'s so important that we are out right now talking about issues that matter to the middle class."

The Sept. 4 doorknock involved hundreds of union volunteers in several communities across the state. In addition, some members participated in worksite leafleting.

Steelworker Rob Ecklund (above) hands out leaflets to workers during a shift change at the Minntac plant in Mountain Iron. Labor-endorsed U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken (below) also participated. Photos courtesy of the Minnesota AFL-CIO

"We have to get the message out to our members about our candidates for change and the best way to do that is through face-to-face conversation," said Laura Askelin, president of the Southeast Area Labor Council.

"This is our opportunity to say we want a new and better America," said Mark Froemke, president of the Western Minnesota Area Labor Council.

The AFL-CIO said an unprecedented effort to reach out through worksite leafleting, doorknocking and phonebanking will continue in the weeks ahead.

The Change to Win labor federation also has begun a major turnout effort among its affiliated unions and members nationwide and in Minnesota.

On Friday, Change to Win brought its "McCain Truth Squad Tour" to St. Paul. The Truth Squad consists of nine workers from several states who are traveling across the country by bus to draw attention to Republican candidate John McCain\'s anti-worker record.

The workers wore paper McCain masks that they removed to reveal the "true face" of McCain – a mask of President George W. Bush.

Change to Win Chair Anna Burger, in a statement released at the event, noted that McCain voted with Bush 90 percent of the time and "The real McCain would be a real disaster for America\'s workers.

"After seven years of failed economic policies resulting in millions of lost jobs, lost homes and lost access to health care, working families have had enough. The Change to Win Truth Squad is traveling the country so America\'s workers see that behind John McCain\'s self-proclaimed maverick style lies a Washington insider running on an agenda for a third Bush term."

After leaving St. Paul, the Truth Squad tour was headed to Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania – all viewed as key states in the presidential election.

In addition, Change to Win has launched a website, www.worsethanbush.org that includes an online video series titled "Real McCain of Genius" – a parody of the Bud Light ad, "Real Men of Genius."

This article includes reporting by the Minnesota AFL-CIO.

Members of the John McCain Truth Squad, wearing masks, emerge from their bus at a stop in St. Paul. Workday Minnesota photo