Together We Will Move Forward

JOURNAL: ISSUE 4 - 2016

The Election 
On behalf of the Executive Board, I thank you all for the help you gave during the prolonged election cycle, and for exercising the fundamental right to vote. We thank our fellow union members for their active participation in the democratic process, canvassing, phone banking, attending rallies, and casting their votes for worker-friendly candidates and ballot initiatives.

During the campaign, we asked members to identify priorities, and we developed an agenda based on those. BAC members’ priorities include investing in infrastructure such as public schools and colleges that create jobs for members and provide safe and healthy learning and working environments for members and their families. BAC members also backed economic policies that will encourage environmentally-friendly construction growth, and expand access to affordable healthcare. These goals are fundamental for our members and their families, as well as for all working Americans. 
  
In the states, there were several important wins our members should be proud to have had a hand in: the defeat of the so-called “right to work” constitutional amendment in Virginia, the election of the first Latina Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), the first ever Indian-American Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), the victory of Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in the competitive and closely watched Senate race, and Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), the first woman Senator to have seen combat. 

I personally made many phone calls and spoke to members in the months leading up to the election and I was heartened by the majority who were engaged in the democratic process, and were interested in discussing the issues. Throughout the election cycle, we spoke to most of our U.S. members, as well as with many BAC family members. Of those members we spoke to, the majority told us that they planned to support Hillary Clinton for President. While Hillary Clinton won the popular vote (by over two million votes at press time), that was not enough to overcome the deficit in electoral votes. 
  
Looking Ahead 
Now that the election is decided, we can get down to business with President-elect Trump and the new Congress. We will work with the administration to ensure that campaign promises about infrastructure investment and cleaning up bad trade deals are more than just slogans. We will also fight to preserve our hard won gains such as prevailing wages, fair play contracting rules, and OSHA’s final rule on silica.  

We will work with elected leaders and continue fighting for expansion of BAC work opportunities, equal rights and dignity for all, and shared prosperity in America. Together we will move forward with renewed commitment to build member engagement for policies that matter, and toward the 2018 elections.

Dignity of Labor 
While it remains true that in the U.S. we have a “winner take all” electoral system, I believe it is important for our unity of purpose to continue to engage in civil dialogue. Disagreeing about politics is one thing, but remember that we share a fundamental commitment to the dignity of labor, with fair and just treatment of all who work for a living. 
  
I encourage members to talk to one another, attend union meetings, familiarize yourselves with our Union’s principles and share them with others you work with. Let our principles guide our treatment of fellow members as well as those who would join us.

As this is the final Journal of the year, I hope you and your families enjoy a happy and peaceful holiday season, and a great year ahead.