Vote like your job and your union are at stake: They are

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

Still think it doesn't matter whom you send to Congress when it comes to union issues? Check out Kentucky's six-member House delegation. 

According to the AFL-CIO, the sole Democrat, John Yarmuth of Louisville, has voted the labor position on issues 98 percent of the time since he arrived in Congress in 2007.

For example, Yarmuth opposes "right to work," the greatest threat to organized labor. But three of five Bluegrass State Republicans are co-sponsors of HR 785, the "National Right-to-Work Act:" Andy Barr, R-Lexington, 6th District; James Comer, R-Tompkinsville, 1st District; and Thomas Massie, R-Garrison, 4th District.

(HR 785's sponsor, Rep. Steve King of Iowa is a Republican. So are all 122 co-sponsors.)

The AFL-CIO also says that Barr has sided with unions on legislation 6 percent of the time; Comer, 5, Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green) 10, Massie, 21, and Hal Rogers (R-Somerset), 20.

The Kentucky State AFL-CIO doesn't look at the party label when endorsing candidates. Endorsements are based on how candidates vote on issues important to union members.

Besides Yarmuth, the federation endorsed the Democratic challengers to Barr, Comer, Guthrie, Massie and Rogers:

1st District, Paul Walker, Murray

2nd, Hank Linderman, Falls of Rough

4th, Seth Hall, La Grange

5th, Kenneth Stepp, Manchester

6th Amy McGrath, Georgetown

"Vote like your job and your union depend on it," is an old warning that might sound trite. But it's true.