For Immediate Release
Monday, June 04, 2007
AFSCME TV Ads Highlight Progress Made by New Members of Congress
Ads Tout the Minimum Wage Increase, Veteran’s Healthcare and Ethics Reform
Washington, DC —The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) today announced a television advertising campaign highlighting recent congressional action on issues of importance to working families. The ads praise the votes of 10 freshman members of Congress who fulfilled their pledge to raise the minimum wage, increase funding for veteran’s healthcare and strengthen congressional ethics rules. The 1.4 million member public service union said it would spend in excess of $500,000 for an initial buy on network and cable television in nine districts.
The members of Congress named in the ads are Brad Ellsworth (D-IN); Joe Donnelly (D-IN); Steve Kagen (D-WI); Nancy Boyda (D-KS); Heath Shuler (D-NC); Chris Carney (D-PA); Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Tim Walz (D-MN); Tim Mahoney (D-FL); Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). View the ads here.
AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee praised the freshmen lawmakers for doing work that matters to America’s working families. “Americans voted for change last November, and that is exactly what these legislators are bringing to the nation,” McEntee said. “This new Congress is fighting to make a real difference that is beginning to produce results in the lives of working Americans and their families.”
McEntee noted that each of the members of Congress in the AFSCME ads has faced criticism for their votes from business interests with deep pockets. “These hardworking legislators are getting attacked by people who oppose raising the minimum wage, increasing support for veterans’ healthcare, and efforts to clean up the ethics mess they found on Capitol Hill. AFSCME will not be silent. We have a simple message for Congress: If you stand with America’s working families, this union will stand with you.”
AFSCME is the largest union for workers in the public service. AFSCME organizes for economic and social justice in the workplace and advocates for working families through political action and legislative advocacy. AFSCME represents a diverse group of service and health care workers in the public and private sectors, including nurses, EMTs, bus drivers, child care providers, custodians and librarians.
