Election: Statement from Ken Neumann of the Steelworkers

NEWS RELEASE

UNITED STEELWORKERS

************************* Labour leaders speak out to support NDP

TORONTO – (October 9) - The leaders of several unions and the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) said Tuesday there should be only one realistic choice for working people in Ontario on Wednesday, October 10.

“The truth is that working families have not been well-served over the last four years, and to imagine that they will derive any benefit from another McGuinty mandate is just dead wrong,” said United Steelworkers’ (USW) National Director Ken Neumann. “Ontario needs more New Democratic Party (NDP) candidates elected so that Howard Hampton can do what he has so far done well – bring working families’ issues forward and work towards decent legislation, like the $10 minimum wage.”

OFL President Wayne Samuelson said only the NDP “understands the deepening crisis in manufacturing."

“The worst thing for working families would be to give McGuinty the opportunity to continue ignoring it," Samuelson said. "Only Howard Hampton has spoken out and made saving manufacturing jobs a priority. McGuinty insists the economy is doing fine.”

“McGuinty has forged ahead with private hospitals, de-listed health care services and refused to invest in childcare,” said USW Ontario Director Wayne Fraser. “The list goes on and on. Liberals refused to raise the minimum wage to a decent level, and they refuse to set standards in long-term care."

“These are issues for all Ontarians, not just unions and their members," Fraser said. "Electing more New Democrats translates into doing the right thing for working families.”

Cec Makowski, Ontario region vice-president of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers’ union (CEP) said job losses in forestry in Northern Ontario are a direct result of Liberal inaction and dithering.

“They are prepared to let an entire region of this province die an agonizing economic death,” said Makowski. “We heard that message directly from citizens when we and the USW conducted public hearings in Northern communities that are feeling the kind of loss and pain that Dalton McGuinty doesn’t understand. McGuinty’s energy minister had the gall to say that Northerners should use blankets, red wine and cuddle up instead of being given relief from high hydro bills.”

The labour leaders said they will knock on as many doors as possible to get the vote out on October 10 to ensure a strong NDP result.

“This isn’t about strategic voting or blind faith,” said Ken Neumann. “This is about creating the kind of province we want to have, one that is a decent place for our children and grandchildren. That simply does not mean supporting Liberals, Conservatives or Greens. It’s about supporting the social democratic party our members helped to build.”

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