How to Work with Unions in Your District
How do you approach unions in your community for help with grassroots events or campaigning? Many feel intimidated in contacting a union and don't understand union hierarchy or what capabilities are available, and many union members have no idea what help bloggers can provide them. In this panel, union members and bloggers will discuss how to create and strengthen the relationship between labor and the Netroots.
Chris Shannon has previously blogged at Steve Gilliard's News Blog, GroupNewsBlog, and FightingLiberals.com. He spent 7 years in the U.S. Special Forces during the 1980's. Chris remembers how the unions used to be the foot soldiers of the Democratic party in Philadelphia when his grandfather was active in the party.
Matt Browner Hamlin is a writer, activist, and organizer who works for the Service Employees International Union. Matt was the Internet Director for Mark Begich's Senate campaign in Alaska and the Deputy Internet Director for Chris Dodd's presidential campaign. He serves on Students for a Free Tibet's international Board of Directors. Matt writes about politics at HoldFastBlog.com and cocktails, bars, and spirits at AJiggerOfBlog.com.
Elana Levin works for Workers United, an SEIU affiliate, representing workers in the US and Canada in the laundry, food service, hospitality, gaming, apparel, textiles manufacturing and distribution industries. Workers United is a new union with a 100 year heritage, and includes members from predecessor unions like the ILGWU ("Look for the Union Label"), ACTWU, UNITE and UNITE HERE. Our members make Obama's suits.
Elana has worked for The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy, other unions, community organizations and has worked NYC primary elections while keeping some of her belongings intact. Some.
She blogs at Dkos & twitter.com/Elana_Brooklyn
Blaine Rummel manages AFSCME’s Make America Happen campaign, the 1.6 million member union’s campaign to win health care reform, increased investment in public services and the Employee Free Choice Act (www.MakeAmericaHappen.com). Last year, Blaine served as press secretary at the Democratic National Committee for Rust Belt and Northeastern states, including the battlegrounds of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and New Hampshire. Prior to AFSCME and the DNC, Blaine has worked in a number of communication capacities, both at nonprofits and private firms.
Eddie Vale is currently a Media Specialist at the AFL-CIO with a focus on the Employee Free Choice Act, Health Care, and the 2009 and 2010 elections. This past election cycle he was Communications Director for Progressive Accountability and NH Press Secretary for John Edwards. He has also done press for Ned Lamont, Eliot Spitzer, John Hall, and Ginny Schrader.
