Congressman's campaign commercials stand up for workers

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3821

By Barb Kucera, Workday editor
20 October 2008

MINNEAPOLIS - Congressman Keith Ellison could be spending his campaign funds promoting his record and appealing for more votes in the Nov. 4 election. Instead, he's standing up for the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation to strengthen worker rights.
Truth to tell, the popular first-term DFL lawmaker doesn't need to work hard to win re-election in Minnesota's 5th Congressional district, which includes Minneapolis. He hasn't been resting on this laurels, however, as his campaign has focused on registering new voters, reaching out to under-represented communities and building support for other Democrats such as presidential candidate Barack Obama and U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken.

So when Ellison saw the TV commercials, newspaper advertisements and election-related mailings attacking the Employee Free Choice Act, he decided they needed a strong response.

"There comes a time when enough is just enough!" Ellison said at a news conference Monday announcing a new campaign commercial running on Twin Cities radio stations taking on the opponents of EFCA.


Congressman Keith Ellison

Ellison's ad
"You've probably seen those attack ads claiming some candidates want to take away your right to a secret ballot in union elections," Ellison states in the commercial. "Plain and simple, these are lies paid for by CEOs who negotiate lavish salaries for themselves but don't want you to be able to bargain for a better life for yourself and your family.

"In reality, the Employee Free Choice Act would strengthen your freedom to choose union representation. It protects the right to a secret ballot. It gives workers more ways to bargain together for health care benefits and fair wages. On average, workers who belong to unions earn 30 percent more and are much more likely to have health and pension benefits.

"Politicians who support the Employee Free Choice Act, like me, want to provide a fairer way for working men and women to rebuild America's middle class. I urge you to support candidates who support the Employee Free Choice Act and to reject the lies of those CEOs who want to continue lining their pockets while they keep picking yours."

(To hear the ad, go to www.keithellison.org and click on the link in the righthand column under "Broadcasts").

The commercial is running on WCCO AM 830 and KTNF AM 950, with other radio stations possibly to be added, said Larry Weiss, Ellison's campaign manager.

FULL story at link.

For more information
Learn more about EFCA at the American Rights at Work website, www.americanrightsatwork.org

I've heard the ads on the radio.

:applause: