John Kerry Gets Huge Welcome From 3000 Building Trades Leaders

[mobuto]

Democratic Candidate John Kerry Gets Huge Welcome From 3000 Building Trades Leaders at Building Trades Conference

Wednesday March 31, 11:52 am ET
U.S. Senators Kennedy, Gephardt, Pryor and Daschle Lead the Charge Against Bush and GOP On Jobs and the Economy


WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Building and Construction Trades Dept.-AFL-CIO 2004 Legislative Conference: American Jobs: Defending The American Dream held it's third and final session today. Building Trades President Edward C. Sullivan opened the session with a welcome to U.S. Senator John Kerry who addressed the audience via satellite from Boston.

Sen. Kerry said, "This is the most important election of our lifetime. The stakes are so high for worker men and women. Over 3 million jobs lost, millions of Americans without health insurance ... you people in the Building Trades know what's going on. When you get a raise it's like a transfer payment. It goes straight to pay for your health insurance increases."

Senator Kerry Vows To End Tax Breaks For Companies Exporting American Jobs

Kerry vowed that when he is President, he "will end the tax benefits to companies who export jobs ... Why should American taxpayers contribute to the loss of their own jobs? ... We are going to roll back the tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans and use it to create jobs, fund health care and build schools, roads, bridges and hospitals for all Americans. Our prosperity depends on highly skilled construction workers who can build the future ... workers like you and building and construction trades workers across the country."

Sullivan called on all 3 million members of the 15 national construction unions nationwide "to unite in defense of the American Dream and the jobs that are needed to sustain it. By working on the frontlines of Sen. Kerry's campaign, we are working to save the American Dream for millions of working families of our nation."

Senator Kennedy Blasts GOP for Failure To Help Pension Plans

U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D- MA, followed Kerry with a rousing call to political action.

"I have been on that Labor Committee for 42 years ... my brother Jack, my brother Robert, my son Patrick, were as well, that's 90 years of Kennedys voting for labor!"

"American workers are working longer and working harder and wondering if they can still hang on. We're going to elect a President who understands when you are in a union, your pay is 25% higher and you get health care and a pension, too," said Kennedy. He said he is determined to get the Highway Bill passed and make sure Davis-Bacon is included in it.

Unions' multi-employer pension plans continue to be at risk. Kennedy said, "The Senate has passed a bill that helps multi-employer plans. And it is absolutely wrong that this Administration will not support giving workers these kinds of protections."

Kennedy concluded that nothing is more important than electing John Kerry in November, because "when you elect John Kerry, I will be Chair of the Labor Committee!"

Rep. Gephardt Receives Grateful Welcome From Grateful Trades Leaders

U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt, D- MO, one of the Building Trades' favorite Congressman and most loyal advocates, focused on job losses, the need to stop the exportation of American jobs and getting fair trade agreements. He said, "All people ask for is a chance to work hard and make a living for their families. This president does not understand that. He comes from another place. He's a bad President and he's got to go. He just doesn't understand what needs to be done."

Gephardt said, "Health care is critical in this campaign. Health care is something we don't think of until we need it. But, when you need it, you need it ... we need to make sure it's there for every American when they need it!"

Rep. Gephardt Receives Grateful Welcome From Grateful Trades Leaders

President Bush has aggressively tried to end overtime pay for American workers this year. U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-AK, urged the tradesmen and women to fight back to prevent the Administration's overtime-busting initiative from making it into law. Pryor stated, "Democrats need your strength in everyone of these critical races if we are to be able to make a difference on health and jobs and pension bills ... . I made a promise to my constituents back home that are serving in the military that while they are away protecting me, I will work hard to protect their families. We need jobs, health care and pension security. It's not about talk, it's about action."

Sen. Daschle Says Defending The American Dream Is Defending American Jobs

Senate Minority Leader, U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-SD, capped off the session. "In 46 out of 50 states there are more people out of work than when the Bush Administration started. Truth is the Bush Administration does not know how to create jobs ... . It's time to bring this country back to policies and principles that created jobs. ... Defending the American Dream was never about getting rich at the expense of someone else. It's about creating a better life for our children."

The Building Trades Legislative Conference final session takes place today at the Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C. Conference materials may be accessed at www.bctd.org website.

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Source: Building & Construction Trades Department

Note to Mods: This is a fully reproducible press release.

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[Oilwellian]

1. Great endorsement for Kerry

Thanks for posting.

[maxsolomon]

2. yeah, but try & get the NAHB on your side.

they skew GOP, and they do the hiring of the trades.

if kerry could do that, bush is history.

edit: NAHB = nat'l assoc. of home builders.