Gore Challenges Labor to Fight Extremists
'You have the ability to shape the future.'
Thrilling Convention delegates, U.S. Vice Pres. Al Gore voiced his strong support for AFSCME’s commitment to political activism, organizing and worker rights.
“AFSCME is leading the way state by state, minute by minute,” he said. “Your passion and commitment are helping the Labor movement to reach its greatest strength in two decades.
“You are helping all Americans understand a basic truth — that the right to organize is a fundamental American right that can never be blocked, can never be stopped, can never be taken away.”
The vice president praised President McEntee and Secretary-Treasurer Lucy for their leadership in politics and Labor. “Jerry McEntee is never happier than when he is wearing his green T-shirt, raising his voice, fighting for the working families of America and creating positive change,” Gore declared.
Working families were, “better off because of President Clinton’s leadership. I’m proud to work with the president on an agenda that helps working families in America,” he said. “Now is the time to move forward on the business at hand in this country.” The vice president said that the administration has vetoed every piece of anti-Labor legislation and would continue to do so.
He called for increased spending for education, a “common sense” increase in the minimum wage, and the passage of the Patients’ Bill of Rights.
The vice president commended AFSCME for its leading role in defeating California Proposition 226, which he described as part of an extremist effort to “silence America’s working families, rescind their right to organize, and restrict their right to speak out. They call it ‘paycheck protection’ — but it’s paycheck deception.”
Gore asked the energized crowd: “Are you willing to match, and more than match the intensity of right-wing extremists on the other side?”
Because, if you do, he declared, “You have the ability to shape the future. If you bring the same strength and commitment to the battles that lie just ahead, as we saw in the effort to defeat California’s Prop. 226, we will prevail. The future of working families depends on your ability to continue building on that momentum and continue winning the battles that lie just ahead.”
Gore called on the delegates to “use that grassroots energy and activism to take back the Congress this November.”
When President McEntee thanked the vice president for his appearance, he revealed that the Gore family coordinated their vacation to coincide with the AFSCME Convention.
