Sunday March 4 2001 2:16 PM ET
Ironworkers Challenge Anti-Union Efforts

By J. Lowery, RLUO News Writer

ESCANABA, MICHIGAN (RUO) - A group of Ironworkers across the United States outraged by recent Bush Administration initiatives, have challenged union members across the nation to join in their grassroots effort to contact members of congress. The group sees growing evidence that anti-union organizations are gearing up to reap all the benefits of "having their man in the White House."

Tom Ross, a spokesperson for the group, in a statement issued Friday stated "If we do not fight back with our own grassroots effort to promote and support unionism our numbers will continue to decrease as well as our effectiveness to secure jobs in the Building Trades." The Ironworkers called all union members to action: "Your help is needed if we are to withstand the onslaught from the anti-union elements mobilized against us as a result of the favorable conditions they now enjoy" under the Bush Administration.

The group have asked all union members to send a letter to their Senators and Representatives in the U.S. Congress. The letter warns members of congress that "The current administration is intent on passing huge unnecessary tax cuts for the wealthiest citizens at the expense of programs designed to help the working poor and America's middle class. Should the President's budget cut proposals weaken or otherwise harm labor and labor's effectiveness in negotiating fair wages and working conditions, the very foundation of this country and generations of hard work will have been in vain."

The group, in calling all unions member to action, warned that "This is serious and if we fail to act now, the powerful forces arrayed against us will see it as a sign of weakness."

Internet resources:

Addresses for Congress: www.congress.org

Ironworkers Local 8: iwLocal8.com