By BERRY CRAIG
AFT Local 1360
Your Kentucky State AFL-CIO endorsed this year's Democratic ticket because they all strongly support organized labor, not because of the party label.
Our candidates are Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, State Rep. Pamela Stephenson for attorney general, Buddy Wheatley for secretary of state, Michael Bowman for treasurer. Kim Reeder for auditor and Sierra Enlow for agriculture commissoner.
So at Friday's annual Danny Ross West Kentucky Building and Construction Trades Council Labor Luncheon, your webmaster-editor chose at random 17 union attendees--active and retired--and asked them the same question: "If a union member asked you, why should I vote for the Democratic ticket, how would you respond?"
Here are the answers:
Chad Conley, United Steelworkers District 8, president, Ashland Area Labor Council, member of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO Executive Board: "The Republicans in this election have committed themselves to eliminating pensions for state employees. They're a big part of the driving effort that has eliminated dues deductions for public sector workers. They've obliterated workers rights as far as unemployment, workers comp. To ensure our future we need to elect people that are going to be friendly to our issues."
Al Cunningham, business representative for Council 91 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: "They're the only party in my years of experience that has ever really stood up and supported the working families in this state, especially the unions but all working people. That's the reason I'm always for the Democratic ticket."
Howard "Bubba" Dawes, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers retiree and recording secretary, Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council: "All you've got to do is look at the growth. Unemployment is lower than it's ever been in [Kentucky] history. We've got a surplus in the rainy day fund that we've never had, and we've got a surplus in the budget. If that's not a good reason, you're not listening."
Steve Earle, United Mine Workers of America, international District 12 vice president: "This is the best ticket we've had in a long time. Nobody has done a better job for Kentucky families than Andy Beshear. This administration has been hands-on from day one. Gov. Beshear has done an absolutely tremendous job the way he handled the tornadoes in western Kentucky and the flooding in eastern Kentucky and the pandemic. That speaks volumes about the kind of man he is."
Bonnie Edwards, International Ladies' Garment Workers Union retiree: "The unions and the Democrats work for the people, not for themselves."
Patty Grimm, Teamsters Local 236: "They are labor friendly; they are looking out for our best interests."
Benny Heady, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 184 retiree: "Jobs--Democrats have always supported jobs--union labor, our health care and everything else that is always in jeopardy. We need to have a union job and fight for these things and make sure this next generation can have the same benefits we have.
Kyle Henderson, special representative for The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA): "It's easy. It's easy to vote for someone that has your best interests at heart. We've never in my lifetime had a governor that's been as labor-friendly--or a president for that matter. We've got the most labor-friendly president that we've ever had. The protections that they have afforded us we've never seen before. So to me its a very easy decision."
Jim Key, a member of USW Local 500, Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council COPE director, member Kentucky State AFL-CIO Executive Board: "The Democratic ticket--those running for office--are the only ones that support the working men and women of this state.
Bill Londrigan, Elevator Constructors Local 20, president Kentucky State AFL-CIO: "You have no choice if you are a working person; you've got to vote for Andy Beshear and the Democratic candidates because they stand for working people, and our opponents there in Frankfort are fighting everything we stand for--turning back the clock on unemployment insurance, workers comp, collective bargaining rights--you name it. Thanks to Andy Beshear, at least we have a backstop that we need. Without him, we would have no chance to stop our opponents from running right over working people."
Jimmy Morphew, Ironworkers Local 782 retiree: "If you want to live on minimum wage, vote the other way."
Philip Orr, business agent, Local 782, and president of the West Kentucky Building and Construction Trades Council: "The Democratic ticket is going to make sure that the working people are going to be taken care of, have what they need and that all of our taxpayer dollars go where they are supposed to go."
Dusty Owens, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 816, secretary-treasurer, Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council: "It's pretty simple. It's the only ticket that's labor-friendly."
Chad Rennison, business manager IBEW Local 816, delegate Western Kentucky Area Council: "The things that Gov. Beshear and his team have done for labor--and not just union labor--but all labor in the state of Kentucky is phenomenal, it's things we haven't seen in a long, long time, and it's not just about what's happening right now, but where they're pushing this state in the future. They are setting us up for some really good things. They have brought tons of new jobs, new industry to this state. They have also stood up for the working people and said, 'Hey, we want these jobs, but we want them to be good paying jobs."
Jerry Sykes, United Auto Workers retiree: "In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, our governor has done everything he could possibly do. Just look at his record--a record of low unemployment, jobs created all over the state. He has done a wonderful job for the state, and he's going to keep on doing a great job and that's why all Democrats need to get out there this voting season and vote him back in. Just look at his record. Compare it to his opponent. His opponent has no record, but we have a record to show and Gov. Beshear is going to show it."
Kevin Walton, USW Local 9443, Tri-County Council of Labor COPE director, member State AFL-CIO Executive Board: "I support the Democratic ticket because they have the same labor values that we have. They support our labor issues, meaning safety in the workplace, good wages, benefits, health care and collective bargaining.
Jeff Wiggins, USW Local 9447, secretary-treasurer Kentucky State AFL-CIO: "They support us, so we support them."
Dusty Owens, IBEW Local 816, secretary-treasurer, Western Kentucky AFL-CIO Area Council: "Ir's pretty simple. It's the only ticket that's labor-friendly."