As you read this issue of the Bulletin the summer months are upon us and we
can finally all hope to enjoy some great sunshine. As you enjoy your summer, I also
ask you all to keep in mind the goals we must set and focus on leading into the U.S.
Presidential Election in November. We have seen an unprecedented primary and
caucus season that started with Super Tuesday on February 5th. The primary and
caucus voters in every state in the United States may never have been looked at so
closely and counted on so much by the candidates in this race for the White House.
Towards summer’s end we will see the Democratic National Convention
called to order in the “Mile High City” of Denver and we will have some
members and staff from the IATSE who have been elected to serve as Delegates
or Alternate Delegates to the Convention. There is no doubt that the
Party had two very strong candidates who campaigned tirelessly for nearly
two years. However, coming out of the Convention in August, we must
stand together and be certain that our voices are heard loud and clear on
November 4th.
It has been admitted and agreed by many that the United States is experiencing
a recession and our working class citizens are doing their best to survive
- with fuel prices increasing nearly every day, the cost of health care
getting harder and harder to manage, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that
has created more difficult challenges in contract negotiations, foreclosures on
homes, a war that is lasting longer and costing more than anyone could have
imagined, and the list goes on. The Administration we have had in Washington
since 2000 has put additional pressures on the labor community through
the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Internal
Revenue Service, and other agencies, so that our goals of providing the best
representation to our members have become more difficult to meet. Additionally,
we in the entertainment community have experienced work stoppages
last year that put very real and harsh financial burdens on many of our
members, burdens that many are still struggling to overcome.
Our participation in the political process in this country is always important
so that we may collectively elect legislators who are friendly to working
people across this land. This is a difficult time, but it’s also a hopeful time,
because we have a chance to bring about real change for ourselves, our
families, our fellow union members, and other hardworking Americans
throughout the country. With new leadership in Washington, we may be
able to finally fix some of the laws that have been hurting us for years, and
enact new legislation that will give workers a fair shot at improving their
lives.
I encourage all of you to be part of the process by registering to vote,
getting to the polls and helping others get there as well. Get involved!
