Congressman Bruce Braley (D. IA-1) snagged another big endorsement in his campaign to succeed outgoing Senator Tom Harkin (D. IA) in the 2014 U.S. Senate race from the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW):
http://wcfcourier.com/...
UAW is the fifth major labor group to endorse Braley this month. Other unions giving Braley their endorsement include SEIU Iowa - Local 199, AFSCME Iowa Council 61, the Iowa State Council of Machinists, and the Great Plains Laborers’ District Council.
Ron McInroy, UAW Region 4 director, said, “I’ve known Bruce Braley since long before he was first elected. For as long as I’ve known him, Bruce has worked tirelessly for working men and women across Iowa. In Congress, he’s fought to create opportunity for Iowa’s working families, level the playing field for American manufacturers, and strengthen the middle class. He’s never forgotten where he’s come from, and he’ll be even more effective in the US Senate. UAW Region 4 is proud to endorse him today.”
Bruce Braley said, “I’m proud to have the endorsement of UAW Region 4. The tens of thousands of UAW members in Iowa demonstrate every day why American workers are the most productive and best skilled in the world. I’m running for Senate to strengthen American manufacturing and create more opportunities for American workers, and UAW’s support will help get the job done.” - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, 3/19/13
Braley has an excellent record in Congress for supporting organized labor especially as co-founder of the Populist Caucus who's initiatives are aimed to help the middle-class. Organized labor will need to be sure to help Braley secure his victory in Iowa. Especially if Tea Party Congressman Steve King (R. IA-4) decides to run for Senate. King is pushing for a federal right-to-work legislation in the House:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Today, Congressman Steve King (Republican-Iowa) along with 57 cosponsors introduced the National Right to Work Act (H.R. 946) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The House bill is a companion bill to S. 204, the Senate’s version of the National Right to Work Act introduced by Senator Rand Paul (Republican-Ky.) with 9 cosponsors.
The one page bill would end Big Labor’s federally-authorized power to force workers to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Committee, issued the following statement praising the introduction of the bill:
“We’re extremely pleased that Congressman King has introduced the National Right to Work Act, intensifying a growing debate about labor law and worker freedom in our country. This legislation would enshrine the common-sense principle – already enforced in nearly half of U.S. states – that no worker should be compelled to join or pay dues to a union just to get or keep a job.
In an age of legislative overreach, this is one of the shortest bills ever introduced. A National Right to Work Act does not add a single word to federal law. It simply removes language in the National Labor Relations Act that gives union officials the power to extract dues from nonunion workers as a condition of employment." - Hawaii Reporter, 3/5/13
And again, I would head Harkin's warning about King:
“I've never underestimated Steve King,” Harkin told The World-Herald. “He is a smart guy. He is a tough campaigner.” - Omaha World-Herald Bureau, 3/6/13
If you'd like to donate to Braley's campaign or get involved, you can do so here:
http://www.brucebraley.com/