2009: Your Family, Your Future

Your Job

Elections have direct consequences

onyou and your family !!

Economic InjusticeEconomic Injustice

• Workers in AmericaWorkers in America• Are the most productive in the world. Are the most productive in the world. • Work longer hours than in any other developed Work longer hours than in any other developed

country. country. • Live in a country with more than $13 trillion a Live in a country with more than $13 trillion a

year in income.year in income.• YET we face:YET we face:• Stagnant wages and family incomes. Stagnant wages and family incomes. • Increasing income insecurity. Increasing income insecurity. • Eroding health care benefits. Eroding health care benefits. • Disappearing pensions. Disappearing pensions.

Economic InjusticeEconomic Injustice

Income Income stagnant stagnant

or or declining declining for 60% of for 60% of familiesfamilies

Top 1% – Top 1% – more wealth – more wealth –

than the than the bottom 95%bottom 95%

7,600,0007,600,000 Unemployed in Unemployed in

April 2008April 2008

Economic InjusticeEconomic Injustice

Nearly 3 Nearly 3 million million

factory jobs factory jobs have been have been lost since lost since

George Bush George Bush took office.took office.

Minimum Minimum wage has 1/3 wage has 1/3

the value the value that it did in that it did in

1968.1968.

25% of 25% of American American

workers earn workers earn a wage that a wage that puts them at puts them at or below the or below the poverty line.poverty line.

2,026,047 2,026,047 declared declared

bankruptcy bankruptcy in 2005in 2005

1,015,290 jobs 1,015,290 jobs lost to NAFTAlost to NAFTA

Social InjusticeSocial Injustice

Median Household Income (in 2007 dollars)Median Household Income (in 2007 dollars)

2000 47,5992000 47,599 2005 46,3262005 46,326

2003 45,9702003 45,970 2006 48,2012006 48,201

2004 45,8172004 45,817 2007 49,1332007 49,133

$ Change from 2000 to 2007 - $1543$ Change from 2000 to 2007 - $1543

Social InjusticeSocial Injustice

• The number of U.S. homes that slipped into some The number of U.S. homes that slipped into some stage of foreclosure in 2007 was 79 percent higher stage of foreclosure in 2007 was 79 percent higher than in the previous yearthan in the previous year

• About 1.3 million homes received foreclosure-About 1.3 million homes received foreclosure-related warnings last year, up from 717,522 in related warnings last year, up from 717,522 in 2006.2006.

• Foreclosure filings rose 75 percent from the Foreclosure filings rose 75 percent from the previous year to 2.2 million.previous year to 2.2 million.

• More than 1 percent of all U.S. households were in More than 1 percent of all U.S. households were in some phase of the foreclosure process last year, up some phase of the foreclosure process last year, up from about half a percent in 2006from about half a percent in 2006

• Nevada, Florida, Michigan and California posted the Nevada, Florida, Michigan and California posted the highest foreclosure rateshighest foreclosure rates

• More than 1.8 million subprime mortgages are More than 1.8 million subprime mortgages are scheduled to reset to higher interest rates in 2008 scheduled to reset to higher interest rates in 2008 and 2009.and 2009.

Social InjusticeSocial Injustice• But mortgage brokers are still making millions. But mortgage brokers are still making millions. • Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo received $121.7 Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo received $121.7

million last year selling Countrywide sharesmillion last year selling Countrywide shares• $14.8 million stock award in 2006 for James $14.8 million stock award in 2006 for James

“Jimmy” Cayne, who was then CEO and is now “Jimmy” Cayne, who was then CEO and is now chairman of Bear Stearns.chairman of Bear Stearns.

• Chuck Prince of Citigroup Prince received a $10.4 Chuck Prince of Citigroup Prince received a $10.4 million cash bonus for 2007.million cash bonus for 2007.

• Stan O’Neill of Merrill Lynch resigned from Merrill Stan O’Neill of Merrill Lynch resigned from Merrill in October with a $161.5 million package in October with a $161.5 million package including stock bonuses based on his including stock bonuses based on his performance in previous years.performance in previous years.

We Need Change

Social InjusticeSocial Injustice• 1.6 million military personnel have deployed to the 1.6 million military personnel have deployed to the

conflicts since the war in Afghanistan began in late conflicts since the war in Afghanistan began in late 2001.2001.

• 300,000 U.S. troops are suffering from major 300,000 U.S. troops are suffering from major depression or post-traumatic stress from serving in depression or post-traumatic stress from serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 320,000 the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 320,000 received brain injuries.received brain injuries.

• Only about half have sought treatment.Only about half have sought treatment.• 120,000 who served in the two wars and are no 120,000 who served in the two wars and are no

longer in the military have been diagnosed with longer in the military have been diagnosed with mental health problems. Of the 120,000, mental health problems. Of the 120,000, approximately 60,000 are suffering from PTSD, the approximately 60,000 are suffering from PTSD, the VA said. VA said.

• The percentage of PTSD and depression is at 18.5 The percentage of PTSD and depression is at 18.5 percent, calculating that approximately 300,000 percent, calculating that approximately 300,000 current and former service members were suffering current and former service members were suffering from those problems at the time of its survey, from those problems at the time of its survey, which was completed in January.which was completed in January.

Social InjusticeSocial Injustice• Compared to the Vietnam War, when Compared to the Vietnam War, when

about 12 percent of all wounded about 12 percent of all wounded soldiers sustained a brain injury, in soldiers sustained a brain injury, in Iraq, 22 percent of the wounded have Iraq, 22 percent of the wounded have serious head wounds. serious head wounds.

• In World War II, 30 percent of all In World War II, 30 percent of all injured troops died; 24 percent died in injured troops died; 24 percent died in Vietnam. In Iraq, just 9 percent of the Vietnam. In Iraq, just 9 percent of the injured lose their lives. Improved body injured lose their lives. Improved body armor and advances in battlefield armor and advances in battlefield medicine have saved countless lives.medicine have saved countless lives.

Social InjusticeSocial Injustice• An estimated 400,000 veterans are An estimated 400,000 veterans are

homeless at some time during the year.homeless at some time during the year.• A large number of displaced and at-risk A large number of displaced and at-risk

veterans live with lingering effects of Post veterans live with lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.social support networks.

• One out of every three homeless men who is One out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country. uniform and served this country.

• Veterans account for 23% of all homeless Veterans account for 23% of all homeless people in America.  people in America.  

We Need Change

What have we be doing about it What have we be doing about it the last 8 years?the last 8 years?

• Trillions in tax cuts for millionairesTrillions in tax cuts for millionaires• Huge cuts in services including veterans Huge cuts in services including veterans • Food prices increase at the fastest rate since Food prices increase at the fastest rate since

1990. 1990. • Milk prices, for example, increased 26 Milk prices, for example, increased 26

percent over the year. Egg prices jumped 40 percent over the year. Egg prices jumped 40 percent. percent.

• Food accounts for about 13 percent of Food accounts for about 13 percent of household spending compared with about 4 household spending compared with about 4 percent for gas. percent for gas.

• Gas prices are at a recordGas prices are at a record • The average price of gasoline hit a record of The average price of gasoline hit a record of

$4.09. $4.09.

The Union DifferenceThe Union Difference

• Better health care:Better health care: 81% of union workers 81% of union workers have job-related health coverage, while only have job-related health coverage, while only 50% of non-union workers do. Union families 50% of non-union workers do. Union families pay 43% less for family coverage than pay 43% less for family coverage than nonunion families – that’s a savings of $1,000 nonunion families – that’s a savings of $1,000 a year. a year.

• Better pensions:Better pensions: 72% of union workers have 72% of union workers have a guaranteed, defined benefit pension, a guaranteed, defined benefit pension,

compared to only 15% of nonunion workers.compared to only 15% of nonunion workers.

Corporate Profits BoomingCorporate Profits Booming……

in last 4 yearsin last 4 years

78.2%Profits up

Social InjusticeSocial Injustice

JapanJapan11x11x

U.K. 24xU.K. 24x

South KoreaSouth Korea 8x 8x

GermanyGermany 13x13x

FranceFrance15x15x

CanadaCanada 20x20x

AustraliaAustralia 22x22x

BrazilBrazil 49x49x

CEO Pay VS. Worker PayCEO Pay VS. Worker Pay

U.S. CEO PayU.S. CEO Pay

Average CEO pay Average CEO pay now over now over 431 times431 times average U.S. workeraverage U.S. worker

UP

We Need Change

Rail CEO CompensationRail CEO Compensation

• CSX: Michael J. Ward made in $6.3 million in CSX: Michael J. Ward made in $6.3 million in total compensation.total compensation.

• NS: Charles W. Moorman made in $11.73 NS: Charles W. Moorman made in $11.73 million in total compensation.million in total compensation.

• UP: James R. Young made in $9.8 million in UP: James R. Young made in $9.8 million in total compensation.total compensation.

• BNSF: Matthew K. Rose made in $12.6 BNSF: Matthew K. Rose made in $12.6

million in total compensation.million in total compensation. • (All figures from SEC filings for FY 2007)(All figures from SEC filings for FY 2007)

Railroad InvestmentRailroad Investment

• In 2002,the major railroads laid off In 2002,the major railroads laid off 4,700 workers; in 2006, they hired 4,700 workers; in 2006, they hired more than 5,000. more than 5,000.

• Profit has doubled industry-wide Profit has doubled industry-wide since 2003, and stock prices have since 2003, and stock prices have soared. soared.

• The value of Union Pacific has tripled The value of Union Pacific has tripled since 2001.since 2001.

• Compensation for workers has not Compensation for workers has not followed this increase in stock value followed this increase in stock value and profits.and profits.

Losing density.Losing density.Union density

Losing density.Losing density.Union density by state, 1983

Losing density.Losing density.Union density by state, 1996

Losing density.Losing density.Union density by state, 2004

Union Density TodayUnion Density Today

• Density down to 12.5%Density down to 12.5%• 7.9% private sector7.9% private sector• One third of all union members One third of all union members

are in California, New York and are in California, New York and IllinoisIllinois

• One half of all union members are One half of all union members are in 6 states – California, New York, in 6 states – California, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

We Need Change

““There are many There are many ways of moving ways of moving

forward, but only forward, but only one way of one way of

standing still.” – standing still.” – Franklin Delano Franklin Delano

RooseveltRoosevelt

The Road to The

White House

Four more years?Four more years?

• Only 20% of Americans believe the country Only 20% of Americans believe the country is heading in the right directionis heading in the right direction

• Only 19% of voters believe that the next Only 19% of voters believe that the next generation will be better off, with 77% generation will be better off, with 77% believing that they will only be the same or believing that they will only be the same or will be worse off (31% the same, 46% will be worse off (31% the same, 46% worse)worse)

• 91% of registered union voters saying they 91% of registered union voters saying they want a change of direction from the policies want a change of direction from the policies of the last 7 yearsof the last 7 years

n Election 2008 will be a critical event Election 2008 will be a critical event for the future of American politics. for the future of American politics.

n The Presidential race is one of the The Presidential race is one of the most interesting and diverse most interesting and diverse campaigns in history because of the campaigns in history because of the variety of candidates and issues.variety of candidates and issues.

Union IssuesUnion Issues

• Top issues for Top issues for working working Americans Americans include health include health care, the care, the economy, the economy, the Iraq War and Iraq War and also the ethical also the ethical character of the character of the candidate.candidate.

Nov-07 Dec-07

HealthcareIraqEconomy/JobsEducationEthics/HonestyForeign policyImmigrationTerrorismEnvirnomentMorals/Family valuesEnergyAbortionFederal budget deficitGlobal warmingSocial securityTaxesFarming/ArgricultureIranOther

Conservative IssuesConservative Issues

• The most popular The most popular issues for issues for conservatives conservatives have been have been immigration, immigration, Iraq/National Iraq/National Security, Security, Economy and Economy and Family Values.Family Values.

Nov-07 Dec-07

Immigration Illegal

Terrorism

Iraq/National Security

Abortion

Economy

Ethics

Family Values

Taxes

Health Care

Federal budget deficit

Education

Social Security

Environment

Democratic Candidate for 2008 Democratic Candidate for 2008 Presidential RacePresidential Race

• Presidential hopefuls Presidential hopefuls Senator Barack Senator Barack Obama of Illinois Obama of Illinois clinched the clinched the nomination on June 3.nomination on June 3.

Barack ObamaBarack Obama• He is an original co-He is an original co-

sponsor of the sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Employee Free Choice Act.Act.

• He supports NY Dock He supports NY Dock protections. protections.

• He will require 13(c) He will require 13(c) bargaining protections.bargaining protections.

• He supports mandatory He supports mandatory and comprehensive and comprehensive security training for security training for transportation workers, transportation workers, including railroad including railroad workers.workers.

Barack ObamaBarack Obama

• He supports the extension of whistleblower He supports the extension of whistleblower protections to transportation workers.protections to transportation workers.

• He supports the elimination of limbo time.He supports the elimination of limbo time.• He opposes the outsourcing of inspections of He opposes the outsourcing of inspections of

trains entering the U.S. trains entering the U.S. • He promises to fight for Amtrak funding and He promises to fight for Amtrak funding and

reform so that individuals, families and reform so that individuals, families and businesses throughout the country have safe businesses throughout the country have safe and reliable transportation options.and reliable transportation options.

Republican nominee 2008Republican nominee 2008

• Senator John McCain Senator John McCain of Arizona is the of Arizona is the Presidential candidate Presidential candidate for the Republican for the Republican party.party.

• McCain is at odds with McCain is at odds with many of the GOP many of the GOP because of his because of his maverick views and maverick views and reluctance to conform reluctance to conform to the Republican to the Republican party.party.

A picture is worth 1,000 wordsA picture is worth 1,000 words

The Real McCain

“We must streamline our workforce… and not let good

workers be crippled by the fine print of the latest union

contract.”

– John McCain, 2007

The Real McCain“I know NAFTA was a good idea. It’s created millions of jobs.”- 2008

“We subsidize and agree to labor

provisions [for Amtrak], which are

unconscionable.”-1998

“It used to be that thieves robbed the

trains, but now trains are robbing the

American taxpayer.”- 1997

The right to unionize is

“class warfare.” -

1996

McCain Wants to End Amtrak

“It’s a scam.” [CQ Weekly, “Reform-for-Cash Budget Provision Leaves Amtrak in Quandary,” August 2, 1997.]

“I will do everything in my power . . . to see that it comes to an end.” [CQ Weekly Transportation, Nov. 15, 1997 ]

“It has got to be called the great train robbery.” [Online News Hour, 11/8/97]

“Amtrak should be restructured to eliminate its reliance on the American taxpayers and to allow for its privatization.” [March 11, 2002, Nation’s Cities Weekly “Debate Begins in Congress on Future of Intercity Rail]

McCain Against Transit Labor Rights

• McCain opposes 13(c) labor rights [Gramm Amdt. to H.R. 2, 2/04/87]

• This attack on workers endangers the rights of over 320,000 urban, rural, and suburban transit employees

McCain Weakens American Transit

Vocal opponent of transit funding. [H.R. 3, Vote #220, 7/29/05; H.R. 2360, Vote 184, 7/14/05; S. 107, Vote # 14, 2/14/04; Veto Override to H.R. 2, 4/2/87]

In 2005, was one of four Senators to oppose the largest transit spending bill in American history[H.R. 3, Vote #220, 7/29/05]

Voted against job creation bills for transit workers[H.R. 3, Vote #220, 7/29/05; S.Con.Res. 23, Vote #79, 3/21/03, Veto override to H.R. 2, 4/2/87; HR 1718, Vote #19, 3/03/83]

McCain Supports Foreign Bus Service

• Supports unsafe foreign buses traveling on U.S. roads [H.R. 2299, Vote # 252, 7/26/01]

• “I do not understand why Mexican trucks are not allowed in…”

-McCain in 1997

• “This is not really about safety; this is about … labor flexing their muscles.”

-McCain in 2001

• Voted against the Employee Free Choice Act card check legislation [H.R. 800, Vote #227, 6/26/07]

• Supported Bush’s declaration that union rights for airport screeners are a terrorism risk [S. Amdt. to S.4, Vote 64, 3/6/07]

• Opposed bargaining rights for firefighters, police officers, and other public safety workers [S. Amdt. 2044 to H.R. 3061, Vote #323, 11/6/01; S. Amdt 2074 to H.R. 3061, Vote #318, 11/1/01]

McCain Against Labor Rights

Why you shouldn’t vote for John McCainWhy you shouldn’t vote for John McCain

• 1. He is a vocal opponent of Amtrak.1. He is a vocal opponent of Amtrak.

• 2. McCain Voted with the Bush 2. McCain Voted with the Bush Administration 89 Percent of the time. Administration 89 Percent of the time.

• 3. McCain doesn’t like unions. 3. McCain doesn’t like unions.

• 4. He’s delusional about the economy. 4. He’s delusional about the economy.

Why you shouldn’t vote for John McCainWhy you shouldn’t vote for John McCain

• 5. He would destroy Railroad 5. He would destroy Railroad Retirement and Social Security.Retirement and Social Security.

• 6. He voted against raising the 6. He voted against raising the minimum wage, and then voted for it. minimum wage, and then voted for it.

• 7. He is a self-proclaimed “free trader” 7. He is a self-proclaimed “free trader” who supports George Bush’s who supports George Bush’s Columbian Free Trade Bill Columbian Free Trade Bill

Why you shouldn’t vote for John McCainWhy you shouldn’t vote for John McCain

• 8. The Children's Defense Fund rated 8. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. children.

• 9. He is controlled by Washington business 9. He is controlled by Washington business interests.interests.

• 10. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is 10. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. China.

A picture is worth 1,000 wordsA picture is worth 1,000 words

Make Your Voice Be Heard

Vote On November 4!