ASHLAND — Steel and iron workers, pipefitters, painters, electricians, firefighters, carpenters, communication workers and other AFL-CIO union activists knocked on doors throughout Ashland and surrounding areas Saturday morning as part of a statewide effort to promote political change.
With 350,000 union workers in the state representing 26 percent of the total electorate, union members joined forces to spread their message to fellow workers and their families.
“Middle class America is the backbone of this country and that’s us,” said Boyd County Judge Executive William “Bud” Stevens as the group geared up to hit the streets. Several other elected officials including state representatives Robin Webb and Rocky Adkins also attended Saturday morning’s gathering and rallied for grassroots political action.
“Elections are won on the ground,” Adkins said, theorizing many undecided voters may be influenced by polls. Drawing upon his years as an athlete, Adkins warned, “The worst thing you can do is get complacent and overconfident. With a light turnout, anything can happen folks.”
Officials cautioned union members to not take too much confidence in polls and encouraged the volunteers to motivate others to cast their ballots. Reviewing the record of Governor Ernie Fletcher, one speaker said the current administration’s approach to government has been, “ a direct and unbridled attack on you.”
The union members are supporting Democrat Steve Beshear, citing support for prevailing wage laws as well as his promise to restore the state’s labor cabinet and his support for the state’s unionized workers.
Once out on the streets, volunteers reported finding roughly half of their contacts answered the knock at their door and were receptive to their message. Kevin Libby, a member of the Iron Workers Local 769, was working his way along a list of more than 50 addresses near Blackburn Avenue.
“I’ve had a good response for Beshear,” he reported, smiling.
Nearby, fellow iron workers Adam Carver and Jimmy Dinkens found homes along side streets in residential neighborhoods.
“They’re all union families,” Carver said, adding everyone they spoke with seemed to be in line with the union’s political plans.
Frank Dixon, a member of United Steel Workers Local 7047 made rounds with his 19 year old son, Brandon, and fellow union members Tom Tussey and Mike Broughton, who brought his 12 year old grandson, Tyler Rose.
“All the doors I knocked on personally, the people were real positive. They want a change,” Dixon said after his group traveled to 30 homes in Ashland. Dixon said only one of the people they talked to had concerns about a non-labor issue, gambling.
AFL-CIO spokesman Rachele Huennekens said they are focused on health care, secure retirement and good jobs.
“This is not about issues like gambling. It is, ‘Do you deserve a good job,’” she said.
Huennekens said an estimated 1,800 union members have already been involved in the campaign, knocking on doors and making telephone calls to union members families. Organizers say they expect an additional 2,000 union members to help with “the final push.”
Officials estimated Saturday’s effort reached about 7,000 people in Boyd, Carter and Greenup counties.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.
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