Presidential Race Has Unions Flexing Their Muscles
Construction supporters of President George W. Bush or his Democratic challenger, Sen. John F. Kerry, both believe the Nov. 2 election is the most important in their lifetime. Leaders of organized labor claim Bush administration policies are the most anti-worker in recent history.
The skyrocketing cost of health care, loss of jobs across numerous sectors and such trade issues as outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries are the key rallying points for labors battle to send Kerry to the White House. Labors fight began almost immediately after Bush took office when, in February 2001, he issued an executive order that essentially banned project labor agreements on most federal construction projects. "Another four years of this administration will kill us," says the political director of one building trades union.