Photo by Herald Grandstaff

Lawrence Martinez

There are many reasons why union members should contribute money toward political action.

For one thing, national health care coverage for U.S. citizens could become a reality if members of Congress would allow it.

So indicated GCIU Vice Pres. Lawrence Martinez, who chairs the General Board Legislative Committee and oversees the International union's Political Action Fund and political activity.

He reported on June 19 that he had just received a phone call from a member who was about to retire but was upset to learn that health care for retirees was negotiated away. The member lamented that if he were to retire, more than half of his pension would be consumed for health care.

Martinez said the member suggested that "we should do some kind of political action to have Congress pass a national health care plan. I informed him it was very difficult to do since the current Congress is made up of people who are more concerned with the health care industry than they are with health care coverage for workers. I pointed out that many members of Congress are receiving substantial contributions from the health care lobbyists. Because we in the labor movement – particularly the GCIU – have such a small political action fund and have such a hard time raising money to give to our friends that we're fighting an uphill battle.

"In that vein," Martinez said, "we need to do things. We need to raise funds to give to our friends and prepare to start a nationwide drive demanding that Congress look at national health care."

GCIU Vice Pres. Edward J. Toff, who is in charge of GCIU training programs, said continuation of the Susan Harwood federal grant for safety training is in jeopardy with the Bush administration. With the grant, which began in 2000, 767 members and officers have received training. The grant was for five years, but Toff said a Bush administration spokesperson has indicated that the grant would not be continued for the GCIU.

But Toff suggested that contacts and letters be sent to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) as ranking members of their committees. "Their help in pushing legislation and funding for grants would be great for us," Toff said.

Toff added that "any help from any of the members of Congress who our members might know could be a help."

Martinez indicated other issues of concern were a possible bill that would require employers with 100 or more employees to offer health insurance for their employees; adding a prescription benefit to Medicare and curbing prescription costs; a stealth campaign to privatize Social Security; and a fast track scheme to expand the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Martinez said he wanted to thank the officers, representatives, and staff of the GCIU for contributing more than $5,000 to the Political Action Fund. He also cited Philadelphia 14M for being the largest contributor to the PAF and significant contributors Chicago 458M, Detroit 289M, Neenah 77P, James Holt of Milwaukee 23N, Kevin Toomey of Boston 3N, the Midwestern and Eastern States conferences, the North American Newspaper Conference, and the officers training class of the University of Illinois.

"We are making an urgent appeal," Martinez said, "for all locals and conferences to give a priority on fund-raising for the Political Action Fund so we can do a better job of fighting for working family issues."

Graphic Communicator photo by Herald Grandstaff

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, right, chats with GCIU Pres. George Tedeschi, center, and Vice Pres. Leonard E. Adams at a National Press Club luncheon.