ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Union members and their families gathered in downtown Anchorage to celebrate the Labor Day holiday Monday, but with the upcoming general election many laborers spent the afternoon talking politics.Amid the food, the games and festivities this afternoon was a message from the AFL-CIO of which political candidates it is endorsing.
On the park strip this Labor Day there was an event to commemorate those who work for a living, but to also promote organized labor and union members.
“Being in a union to me, it was a way to work with people of like mind on similar issues and to have a way to express your interest together as a group,” said Vince Beltrami, president AFL-CIO.
And the issues working families face are on the minds of many with the November election just around the corner.
“Anytime you get a bunch of union folks together it's hard to avoid talking politics,” Beltrami said.
Beltrami made a pitch hoping to persuade union members when they head to the polls.
“We need to remember when we go to the polls that every time we check a box, we're making a decision. Are we making a decision to stand up for and fight for the lifestyle that we've come to enjoy as Alaskans?” said Beltrami.
The AFL-CIO announced which candidates it's endorsing in the governor's race. Beltrami says the union supports Democrat Ethan Berkowitz.
“We think that he is willing to charge ahead and work hard to develop Alaska, to protect and develop our resources and get our fair share for those things,” said Beltrami.
According to union members, the reason they support Ethan Berkowitz for governor over incumbent Sean Parnell is also because of the "right to work" issue. They say Parnell has not taken a stance on that and they say he also doesn't have a strong history of being labor friendly.
According to Beltrami, union members have a longtime friend who is a union supporter, Congressman Don Young who is up for re-election.
The AFL-CIO supports Young, but also supports his opponent, Democrat Harry Crawford, a union organizer.
In the U.S. Senate race, the AFL-CIO fully supports Scott McAdams.
Beltrami says candidate Joe Miller is not a supporter of working class families.
“Joe Miller is scary as a prospect for Alaskans, because he wants to do away with all those things that Ted Stevens spent so many years fighting to develop our young state,” Beltrami said.
Miller was recently endorsed by the Right to Work Foundation, which is against forced unionization.
While campaigning at the state fair Monday, Miller said he has not had contact with the AFL-CIO, but said he is being painted out to be anti-labor and that's just not the case.
“I'm seeking the support of any good working man or woman in this state that wants to push the state forward in economic involvement. So whether you're a union member or not, we believe that they'll embrace the plan we have that we want to put forward to resource development and to make this state more dependent on its own resources rather than dependent on the federal purse,” said Miller.
Other unions haven't officially endorsed candidates, but the local 341 says it falls in line with the AFL-CIO.
“We are behind anyone who supports working families and that means encouraging and promoting jobs, improving the economy, making sure that things are fair and equitable for people who work for a living. That's our only agenda,” said Stacy Allen, business agent, health care employees with laborer local group 341.
Union members say one misunderstanding, though, is that unions only work for their members.
“We weigh in to try to protect all workers, whether they belong in a union or not,” said Beltrami.
Contact Lori Tipton at ltipton@ktuu.com
