In response to the disruptions of congressional town hall meetings by opponents of health care reform, labor leaders across the United States are calling on union members to mobilize their co-workers and family to attend a town hall in their area.
The latest to make the call is International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers President Edwin D. Hill.
In a letter to more than 700,000 members across the country, Hill writes:
(I)t is important for level-headed trade unionists to attend and support true dialogue about real health care reform. I urge all locals and members to make immediate plans to mobilize our co-workers, families and neighbors to attend these town hall meetings ...
Most Americans agree that our nation's health care insurance system is in need of repair. Costs are too high. Too many citizens are denied insurance by private carriers because of preexisting health conditions, raising the premiums both on employers who offer insurance and individuals who are fortunate enough to still have health coverage. At the bargaining table, local unions are under increasing pressure to agree to higher deductibles and co-pays.
Solving these problems will not be easy. There is certainly room for disagreement. But real democracy cannot thrive unless citizens on all sides of an issue are willing to listen to and debate each other based upon solid factual evidence ...
Unfortunately, some wealthy and powerful opponents of health care reform are promoting an entirely different model of citizen "involvement." They are spreading untruths about proposed legislation and trying to rally Americans against what they call a "government takeover" of health care. They are encouraging citizens to disrupt town hall meetings and shut down intelligent discussion of alternatives ...
No matter what kind of health care insurance we now have, every IBEW member can find some personal benefit in the health care reform bills under consideration. Let's make sure that the needs of America's working families for quality, affordable health care are not drowned out by those who are misinformed, or even worse, those who have a vested interest in the current system.
To find the location of a town hall near you, go to Health Care for America Now!