Campaign Activists in Ohio Hear from AFSCME’s President Saunders

by Joe Weidner and Pablo Ros  |  September 20, 2012

Aailiyah and Eugene Wright with Pres. Lee Saunders (Photo by Joe Weidner)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Like the other AFSCME members who worked a phone bank one night last week, urging residents to vote early, Eugene Wright wants to make a positive difference for his country. And he’s already showing the next generation how it’s done.

A member of AFSCME Local 3360 in Cleveland, Wright brought daughter Aailiyah, exposing her to the fight for workers’ rights and democratic values.

“This election is too important not to be involved,” Wright said. “Winning will depend on getting our families and friends involved.”

Last week, the sixth grader and others had an opportunity to hear from AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders when he came to the phone bank and talked about what’s at stake for working families in November.

“When you make those calls, don’t hold back,” Saunders said. “Let your passion and enthusiasm come through. Let those voters hear in your voices how strongly you believe in President Obama and Vice President Biden and Sherrod Brown to stand up for our rights and for working families.”

The AFSCME leader stressed the need to make the case for Issue 2, a ballot proposal up for a vote in November that would put citizens in charge of drawing legislative districts. He spoke about the need to win back the Statehouse, “so we can stop Gov. John Kasich and other extremists in their tracks.” And he made the case for Sen. Sherrod Brown, who has “been a fighter for our union, a fighter for our values.”

“The calls you’re making are critical,” said Saunders, “I know we can do it.”

If you’d like to learn more about AFSCME’s efforts in this campaign and how you can get involved, click here. And visit this blog throughout Campaign 2012 as we bring you the stories of AFSCME members nationwide fighting for workers’ rights, candidates we believe in and fairness for working families.