Unions ramp up efforts in final days before Nov. 4 election

Minnesota unions are ramping up their get-out-the-vote efforts in the final days before Tuesday’s elections. Leaders say the results will set the stage for continued progress – or renewed attacks – on workers’ rights and standard of living.

“We will never get stronger contracts or see further economic gains if we sit out this election November 4th. This I promise you!” Teamsters Local 320 President Brian Aldes wrote on his union’s blog.

Key offices – including U.S. Senator, Minnesota Governor and the entire Minnesota House – will be decided on Tuesday. In addition, several communities have municipal and school board races and school referendums on the ballot. But historically, turnout is low in years when there is no U.S. presidential election.

“Our challenge in the days remaining before the November 4 election is to spread the word about how much is at stake — and to get voters to the polls,” Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation President Bill McCarthy wrote in the Minneapolis Labor Review.

By all accounts, unions are mounting a massive effort to reach members and make sure they vote. The “Labor 2014” campaign included campaign schools held last summer to train activists on political action.

Union members have been going door to door and making thousands of phone calls in key districts across the state. They are encouraging union members to vote early by absentee ballot.

Many of the efforts are being coordinated through the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state federation of about 1,000 local unions representing some 300,000 members.

In addition, the federation’s community affiliate, Working America, which has nearly 300,000 members statewide, is stepping up its outreach efforts.

“Working Minnesotans are concerned about issues like tax increases, infrastructure investment, minimum-wage increases and more,” said Working America State Director Bree Halverson. “We are having face-to-face conversations about the kitchen-table issues that working Minnesotans care most about, and encouraging them to turn out to the polls for candidates who will fight for them.”

Labor leaders joined the labor-endorsed DFL Party candidates this week for a six-day, 21-city bus tour around Minnesota that will culminate with “midnight madness” get-out-the-vote rallies on Monday night at the Minneapolis and St. Paul labor federation buildings.