‘Consider Kucinich,’ UE Convention Delegates Unanimously Declare

68th National UE Convention Coverage:The UE Convention urges union members to ’seriously consider’ the Kucinich presidential primary candidacy.

Pittsburgh

68th National UE Convention Coverage

Electrified by the remarks of U.S. Representative Dennis J. Kucinich, delegates to the 68th UE Convention on the morning of Tuesday, August 26 unanimously adopted a statement that urges the membership to "seriously consider" the Ohio Democrat’s Presidential candidacy.

UE does not make presidential primary endorsements, and the relatively few presidential endorsements issued by the union have been made only after considerable discussion. An endorsement of the Kucinich candidacy was not considered likely.

But seconds after the Congressman left the convention hall following a prolonged standing ovation, delegate John Thompson of Local 690, Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, rose to move the convention’s adoption of a statement of support for the Kucinich candidacy. The motion was quickly seconded, the national officers tendered no objection, and the delegates gave assent in a hearty voice vote.

Recognizing that the union has never made a presidential primary endorsement, the statement continues: "we are, however proud to strongly urge UE rank-and-file members to seriously consider [Kucinich’s] campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination."

Kucinich, the statement reads, "is to be commended for his participation in the primary contests. His campaign effort is injecting into the primary process a sense of urgency with regard to the need to tackle the various crises facing working people, including the imperative to remove Bush from office in the November 2004 election."

The statement recognizes that Rep. Kucinich "has been a reliable friend and ally of our union" in northeastern Ohio and that his positions on key issues "all mirror UE policy as ratified by our rank and file."

Before beginning his remarks, Rep. Kucinich looked around the banner-festooned hall and commented that it had "the right feel." Delegates quickly came to the same conclusion about the Congressman’s understanding of the issues. Coming the day after convention discussion on health care, the candidate’s forthright advocacy of a single-payer universal health-care plan resonated with UE members – as did his pledge to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization and NAFTA.

Although UE members didn’t need to be reminded that the current Administration’s policies contribute to the destruction of the U.S. manufacturing base or public services, but they appeared grateful that a leading public figure saw the problems as they did.

The 68th UE Convention concludes Thursday morning, August 28.

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