President Hill’s editorial from the September 2008 issue of The Electrical Worker

What’s At Stake in 2008

Amidst all the noise coming from beltway talking heads, the importance of this year’s election is best summed up by one of our own members: “My livelihood – my family, my house, my job, everything I’ve ever worked for – depends on this election.”

The facts are clear: the last eight years have
been a disaster for working families.

But in 2008 we have an opportunity to start anew. From Alaska to Mississippi, there are talented and inspiring pro-working family candidates running for everything from the state house to the U.S. Senate, candidates who have vowed to pass the Employee Free Choice Act, defend Social Security and our pensions and invest in creating good jobs here at home. And nationally there is the candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama, who has made his commitment to a working family agenda clear. 

Our Brotherhood was founded on the principle of nonpartisanship, welcoming Democrats, Republicans and independents equally, and we always made it clear that how you vote is your own personal decision.

So I have no intension of telling you who to vote for, but as an officer of this union I do have the responsibility to educate our members on the issues that are important to the future of our union and working families – such as workers’ rights, fair trade, health care, and protecting our retirement – and make sure we elect representatives who will stand up and fight for them.

IBEW locals across the United States will be joining with other union members in member-to-member walks, which kick off early this month and continue through Election Day. The idea is to help union voters think and vote on the basis of real issues that speak to our livelihoods, not divisive campaign talk.  

As a union member and citizen, these walks are your opportunity to help cut through the chatter and meaningless rhetoric and focus on what’s important to you, your family, your co-workers and your neighbors. Get your best pair of walking shoes ready, because it’s time to get moving.