Listen up Land of Enchantment! This is our first official Labor 2008 newsletter, the first of many updates on labor movement around New Mexico. This is your chance to be recognized and rewarded for your activism and to stay up-to-date on how our union brothers and sisters are kicking off the campaign against John McCain and politicians who don’t care about worker’s rights. Let’s put our people in office! This is a pivotal year for our state. Never before have we had three congressional races, one Senate seat and 112 state senate and house seats up for grabs. Each and every union member is an integral part of our Labor 2008 campaign. Viva la causa!

In Solidarity, Don Manning, New Mexico State Director

1. May 17^th Labor Walk
2. Labor Leader of the Week
3. News from around New Mexico
4. The Real John McCain
5. Congressional Elections
6. Job Openings

1. Get off your Buns and Start Walking! Join us for our May 17^th Labor Walk!

What do you get when you mix fresh air, good exercise and a great cause? Labor Walk! Come out for fun and a chance to participate in our nationwide activist campaign. You’ll be in good company – 112 sites in twenty battleground states will participate in the walks. Walkers will spread the word to other members on union issues, particularly health care, and why John McCain is the third Bush. Help inform other members about the real issues in this presidential campaign.

For more information or to sign up contact Kelley Burns

Toll-free (877) 966-0667

WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 2008. 9:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Central CLC

New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

130 Alvarado Drive NE, Suite 200

Albuquerque, New Mexico

North Central CLC

C.W.A. Local 7076

460 St. Michaels Drive, Bldg. 1000

Santa Fe, New Mexico

South West CLC

U.A. Local 412

4090 Bataan Memorial East

Las Cruces, New Mexico

2. Ladies and Gentlemen may we present our Lovely Labor Leader of the Week, Christine Trujillo, AFL-CIO New Mexico President! Viva!

Q. Congratulations, Christine for being chosen as an example of leadership and activism in Labor 2008. How long have you been president of AFL-CIO New Mexico?

A. I’ve been president for six years.

Q. What was your involvement in the union movement prior to taking this position?

A. I was a teacher in bilingual elementary education for 21 years and president of the American Federation of Teachers in Albuquerque.

Q. What are the upcoming priorities of the Labor 2008 Movement in New Mexico?

A. This is a big year for New Mexico. We have 3 congressional races, one Senate seat and 112 state senate and house seats in the race. We want to spread the union message regarding health care, the economy, and employee issues to each worker, and encourage them to participate in political actions. We want the people to know the issues at stake with each candidate and to support the candidate that will work for the people.

Q. What are the plans for elections in New Mexico in terms of walks, mailings, and rallies?

A. This year we have a state-wide plan, Labor 2008. We want to reach our universe of voters through door-to-door canvassing and mail pieces, work site distribution of literature, and statewide trips to talk to different leaders in New Mexico.

April 28^th was Worker Memorial Day; we had events in three congressional districts. It’s so great to see so many workers come out to celebrate together.

Coming up are several walks: one on May 17^th and a celebrity walk the first week of June. Governor Richardson has agreed to be our celebrity walker.

Q. What is your message to the voters about the upcoming election?

A. The people need a chance to define their own destiny. The voting process isn’t a spectator sport; voters need to become engaged. The outcomes will be positive if workers are pro-active and participate in the union’s call to arms to educate colleagues and spread the vote effort.

   Q. On a more personal note, we hear you are an accomplished painter. What do you     paint and where can we find examples of your work?

   A. [modest laugh] Thank you. I paint water color and usually sell the work to individuals or courthouses. Unfortunately right now I don’t have a show coming up.

   Pity. But let us know when your next show will be and thanks so much for your time. Congratulations again!

3. State-wide Activism – Your Chance to Shine!

North Central CLC – Robin Gould, President

Wow! The North Central CLC out of Santa Fe is gathering forces early. On Thursday, May 1^st, CLC President Robin Gould and union activists kicked off a May Day event from 5-9pm at our working man’s bar, Rocky’s Bar and Grill. Robin and other participants celebrated the kick-off campaign against John McCain with food, Budweiser, (the drink of workers) freebees, union giveaway prizes and karaoke! (Good thing I couldn’t make it– my voice would break every glass in the bar J). Union members stirred up activist excitement and signed up volunteers from several affiliated unions for the walk on May 17^th. The event also featured Salt of the Earth, a labor movie about a mine strike here in New Mexico, and the only documentary ever blacklisted by the film industry. For Robin and others, “the film is important to understand the proud history of the labor movement here in New Mexico.”

But the North Central CLC doesn’t stop after karaoke night. Every Monday morning from 7:00am-8:30am at the busy intersection of Cerrillos and St. Francis in Sante Fe, CLC members hold up a trail of snappy signs with messages critical to the labor movement. The last sign cites the website that onlookers can visit to find out more information about Labor 2008 and the importance of these pivotal campaigns in New Mexico. Kudos to our heroes in the North Central CLC for kicking off an early activism campaign with gusto! A message to drivers: when you see these brave activists waving their message of unity until their feet burn and their arms are sore, give them a friendly honk to show your support! A message to massage therapists: you know what to do.

Four Corners CLC – Clayton Benally, President

Clayton Benally knows that even one person’s efforts can be pivotal to election campaigns. “As union members it is our civic duty to support labor-friendly candidates. I am proud to work alongside union members like Norman Narvelle of the SEA-CWA # 7076, whose tireless efforts remind us to keep fighting for the issues that are most important to working families.”

Central CLC – Daniel Rivera, President

Last Monday the Central CLC held a Labor 2008 fiesta at Workers Memorial Park. Central CLC President Daniel Rivera says that in the past the event has been a great success. “One year we planted a tree in the park and last year we dedicated a plaque to union workers. This year we had several speakers come out to recognize workers and their efforts, plus refreshments and music. We handed out hundreds of flyers on John McCain’s policies.” But this was just the warm-up for May 17^th.

Daniel Rivera, says, “Come walk with me on May 17^th! This year it is even more critical than usual that we stay active in the campaign because so many races are at stake, and we have a union member, Eleanor Chavez, running for state house. This is what Labor 2008 is all about – getting the message out to help elect our people who will fight for greater workers rights and better health care packages.”

Southwest CLC - Rudy Zamora, President

Right now Southwest is channeling its energy on the May 17^th Labor Walk in two weeks. President Rudy Zamora’s message to union workers is “Come out to our walk on May 17^th and support our friends of the organization.”

4. Who’s Afraid of the CuCuy? Not Us, Cuz We’re Gonna Take. Him. Down. Help us expose the real John McCain?K

McCain on the Economy

McCain admits that the “the issue of economy is something that I never really understood as well as I should.”

He thinks the economy is not headed for a recession. Hello? Does he live here?

McCain didn’t show up at the Senate to vote for a stimulus package even though he was in Washington at the time.

“McCain will make Cheney look like Ghandi.”

In his recent Financial Times op-ed, New America Senior Research Fellow Anatol Lieven looks at McCain's policies and advisors and ultimately finds common ground with Pat Buchanan, who recently said McCain is going to make "Cheney look like Gandhi."

Some memorable quotes from the article:

“[If McCain is elected] a few years from now Europe and the world could be looking back at the Bush administration with nostalgia. – McCain is just a Bush third term – he has voted with Bush 89% of the time.”

McCain votes against workplace safety laws:

The new McCain flier shows that the Arizona senator’s votes against strong workplace safety laws date back to his time in the U.S. House when he voted against a bill to set field sanitation standards—including clean drinking water—for farm workers. Since then, he has voted against mine safety laws, workplace ergonomic standards to prevent millions of repetitive stress injuries a year and stronger penalties against employers who violate workplace safety rules. (Click here to download the flier.)

McCain Wants Fewer Rules for Insurance Companies.

McCain will let insurance companies avoid state laws regulating the quality of health care plans, resulting in lower-quality coverage. His approach undermines employer-based health care and pushes workers into the private market to fight big insurance companies on their own.

McCain Voted Against the Employee Free Choice Act.

McCain said he is “strongly opposed” to this important bill to level the playing field for workers trying to form unions, and he voted against it in the Senate.

And He Wants to Roll Back Our Rights Further With a National ‘Right to Work’ for Less Law.

McCain voted for a national “right to work” for less law that would attempt to eliminate unions altogether.

Voting Record

McCain has cast the fewest votes in the Senate of any senator not seriously ill. Including, he didn’t show up to vote on the Fair Pay Restoration Act that would allow women paid unfairly to challenge their employers. However, he did say that he would have opposed it.

5. Congressional Elections. What’s on Your Ballot?

This year New Mexico is a pivotal voting state. We have three congressional races, one Senate race and 112 state senate and house seats up for grabs. Let’s fill them with our people!

AFL-CIO is proud to endorse Tom Udall, CD 3 Congressman for U.S. Senate and Ben Ray Lujan, PRC Chairman for CD 3.

These officials have demonstrated a commitment to workers rights and union strength. Let’s get out there and show them our appreciation!

6. Come One, Come All - Union Job Openings in New Mexico!

Is there a better to earn a living than with people who spend all day fighting for worker’s rights? Me thinks notJ

Job Postings:

American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFSCME Council 18

  Staff Representative   (posted February 29, 2008)

  Web Designer / Database   (posted February 29, 2008)

California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, CNA/NNOC - AFL-CIO

  Union Staff  (posted April 3, 2008)

Indian Employees Federation (formerly Indian Educators Federation), IEF, AFT Local 4524

  Director of Organizing    (posted March 26, 2008)

Visit http://www.unionjobs.com/staff/nm/ for More Information on Listings