November 2004 751 AERO MECHANIC Page VOL. 58 NO. 9 NOVEMBER 2004 How and Why Kerry/Edwards - Workers’ Best Choice America’s working families look to a We Endorse President for leadership, vision and poli- Union leadership recognizes our 751 cies that will benefit and improve their membership is an independent group - work and families’ lives. with nearly one-third Democrats, one- An examination of Democratic Presi- third Republicans and one-third Indepen- dential candidate Senator John Kerry’s dents. Keeping that in mind, when the (D-Mass) 20-year record in the U.S Sen- Union makes an endorsement, we base ate reveals a leader who earned a 91 our decision on where the candidate stands percent lifetime AFL-CIO voting record on issues important to workers. We en- on such important working families is- dorse candidates who have supported our sues as jobs, health care, worker safety, efforts. Our Legislative Committee, com- education and civil rights. prised of shop floor members, interviews When you look at workers’ issues, and examines records of the candidates Kerry has the right plan. Kerry cares about before making a recommendation. leveling the playing field with Airbus and While we are non-partisan, Democrats even mentioned it in the recent debates. tend to sympathize with workers more He understands we must stop the and Republicans side more with busi- outsourcing of American jobs and pledged ness. All our endorsements are based on to provide incentives for companies that Photo courtesy of Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc from Sharon Farmer how these individuals have supported us create jobs. He will work to make health John Edwards and John Kerry support worker issues such as job creation and on our issues. In the State Legislature, our care more affordable and offers a plan to affordable health care. They offer a better choice for the future. efforts to land the 7E7 were definitely a bring it to more Americans. Since Bush criteria in determining who we endorsed took office nearly 4 million more Ameri- the current Administration: the upper-income group, a larger portion and are reflected in the 18 Republicans cans are without health insurance. • The U.S. had a $236 billion surplus in moved down. (factcheck.org 9/1/04) we endorsed. Scrutiny of President George W. fiscal year 2000. The Congressional Bud- • Median household income has de- Keep in mind politicians have many Bush’s four-year record shows Bush get Office projects a $477 billion deficit clined by $1,535 since Bush took office ways to approach a shrinking economy. pushed through a new federal regulation for fiscal year 2004 – beating the $375 or 3.4 percent. While the decline leveled Will they create jobs to put more people gutting workers’ overtime rights, repealed billion last year. The previous record of off last year and may even be climbing to work or will they agree to outsourcing? important worker safety laws, cut taxes $290 billion was reached under Bush’s again in 2004, most households are Does their health care plan focus on mak- for the nation’s wealthiest individuals and father in 1992. (factcheck.org 10/14/04). clearly worse off economically now than ing it more accessible or simply reducing biggest corporations, ran up a huge defi- • Since Bush took office, the middle when Bush took office. (factcheck.org 9/ malpractice lawsuits? And will their tax cit, and is the first president in 72 years to income group has declined by 1.2 percent- 1/04; U.S. Census Bureau) cuts produce jobs or larger deficits? These have a net loss in jobs during his term. age points. At the same time, households Compare Senator Kerry and Presi- philosophical views are also considered Factcheck.org, which was highly pub- with less than $25,000 in income have dent Bush (see page 2) on workers’ is- before an endorsement is made. licized throughout the Presidential de- grown by 1.5 percentage points. While sues, and Kerry is the clear choice for Continued on page 3 bates, provided some telling statistics about some “middle class” households moved to workers in America. Working to Level the Playing Take Time to Vote! Field and Keep Tankers Alive Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Inde- pendent, you are encouraged to vote in the General In an attempt to level the playing field for American who has pushed for Election. Your vote on November 2nd is every bit as workers and companies, the U.S. terminated a 1992 just such action for important as your vote on our contract. The outcome of European Union (EU) trade agreement regarding Air- quite some time. both holds the key to your future and will determine bus subsidies of new civilian aircraft, according to an “We’ve pre- your standard of living for years to come. announcement October 6 by U.S. Trade Representative pared for this day, President Harry Truman summed it up best saying “It Robert Zoellick. The U.S. also filed a dispute settlement we can demon- is not the hand that signs the law that holds the destiny case against the EU at the World Trade Organization strate harm to of America. It is the hand that casts the ballot.” (WTO). While a resolution will take time, it is a step in American industry the right direction. and workers, and Congressman Norm Dicks “This is the bold action we need to protect our workers it’s long past time continues to fight to secure the and send a strong message to Europe: enough is enough, that we stand up to 767 tanker order. the time is now to stop the cash advances to Airbus that are Airbus’ massive killing American jobs,” stated U.S. Senator Patty Murray, trade distorting subsidies,” added Murray. Tanker Update Senator On October 8, Congressman Norm Dicks continued Patty to lead the fight for 767 tankers by ensuring the final Murray (r) version of the defense authorization bill preserved the briefs 751 Pentagon’s option to purchase 100 KC-767 aerial refu- President eling tankers in the next year. Dicks said the compro- Mark mise language approved simply eliminated the option Blondin on of leasing tankers while allowing the Air Force to begin her actions purchasing up to 100 tankers when all of the previ- to level the ously-ordered studies are completed. playing field Steward Michael Cole and his wife, Nora, are just with Airbus. Dicks continues to work closely with Senator Murray two examples of members who have already voted on the issue. by casting their absentee ballot. Festive Wired for ★ ★ ★ ★★ Inside Index Fun Work President's Message ......2 Joint Programs ................. 7 751 Club QTTP delivered in the General Election Endorsements ................. 3 Retirement........................ 9 members training to keep ★ ★TUESDAY ★ ★ Candidate Comparison..4 Want Ads ......................... 10 honored for electrical work Community Service...... 6 Union Election Results..12 contribution NOVEMBER 2nd 57in-house See Voting Recommendations, page 3 Page 2 751 AERO MECHANIC November 2004 REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT You Have the Power to Make a Difference - VOTE! by Mark Blondin, I think we can all agree dent Bush is on track to be the first presi- ing workers to shoulder an increasing District President that it is important to vote in dent in 72 years to have a net loss of jobs share of the burden. It is a national issue the upcoming General Elec- during his administration. While different that must be addressed politically. Election day is quickly tion. Whether you are a sources vary on the number of jobs lost, all The President and Congress control approaching and as you sift Democrat, Republican or In- agree he will end his term with less jobs Social Security - whether it should be through the piles of cam- dependent, the choices you than when he came into office. privatized, if cost-of-living increases are paign mail, listen to calls make will determine the fu- The President, Congress and our state issued, or benefit schedules for seniors. about the candidates and surf ture of our country, our state legislators play a role in creating poli- Who you vote for now can affect the the channels searching to and our Union. cies that affect our jobs. The officials benefits you receive after retirement. find a station without sound As a voter, you must weigh you elect make important decisions such As you’ve heard before, this is the bites...try to keep in mind there is an end your personal views on all the issues and as how to spur the economy and create most important election in our lifetime. to these annoyances. decide which candidate is best. job growth and whether or not to address Don’t let a handful of Americans make As you cast your ballot in the Gen- As a Union, we look strictly at issues the increasing problem of outsourcing the decision. We need to have every eral Election, remind yourself that you important to workers - jobs, affordable American jobs. registered voter cast a ballot this year. have the power to elect officials at the health care, social security, stopping Health care costs are skyrocketing Send a message with your ballot by state and federal level who will fight for outsourcing, leveling the playing field and over 4 million more Americans are voting for candidates who endorse the the rights of workers, stand up for work- with Airbus, etc. without health insurance than four years right of workers and believe that unions ing families and support issues that af- Workers in this country have been hit ago. More and more employers are ei- are good for the community, the work- fect our Union.