Norm Colman Rankles Local Unions—Franken endorsed by Unions

03/26/2008

Paul Munnis


A DFL press conference was held today at IBEW in Rochester to discuss the candidacy of Norm Coleman for the U.S. Senate.

Wes Urvig, president of the IBEW made it clear that Norm Coleman would not get support from his IBEW Union nor any other Union that he could think of. He said that Coleman was not a person whom working people could support because of his track record of votes that went against the interests of workers.

In a more specific sense Union workers are outraged over the failed U.S. Trade Policy that permits outsourcing of jobs to foreign nations, the loss of benefits to working men and women, the increased cost of higher education, and the failure over national healthcare, all of which were reasons given for not endorsing Norm Colman for Senator.

When Coleman was compared to Al Franken, the Union endorsed Al Franken and said he is pledged to work for the good of labor when elected to office. He said Union members would be in support of the Franken campaign and he encouraged non-union citizens to also work for the same interests.

Laura Askelin, president of the SE Labor Council also spoke out against Norn Coleman’s re-election. She cited her concerns with increases in oil and gas subsidies at a time of record profits for oil companies. She cited Coleman's voting record of actions against the interests of homeowners, of putting Party interests ahead of his Districts best interests, of his lack of support for affordable health insurance, and for his Senate support of Corporate Special Interest groups as being unwelcome to union members. She stated that an opportunity is coming up in November to make a change in our Senate representation and she urged voters to rid ourselves of Norm Coleman.

Ken Mohn, a local Attorney spoke about major character flaws exhibited by Coleman that makes him an undesirable Senator to represent his District. He too endorsed Franken over Coleman.

Some specific complaints against Norm Coleman include:

• Acceptance big money from special interests including $206,100 from oil and gas; $327,621 from pharmaceutical companies, $500,908 from banking and credit industries.
  
• Support for making the Bush tax cuts permanent.
  
• Voting to permit the wealthiest Minnesotans to receive 31% of the Bush Tax Cuts.
  
• Voting for protection of the “Windfall Tax” for big oil companies.
  
• Voting for a Medicare Prescription Drug Bill heavily tilted towards drug companies.
  
• Support of the Bankruptcy Bill.
  
• Six times he voted to protect tax breaks for millionaires and corporations at the expense of Veterans benefits.
  
• Voted against help for homeowners facing foreclosure.
  
• Provided the crucial vote to the biggest cuts to student loans in the history of the program.
  
• Voted against Renewable Energy Alternative and green job creation.
  

For all of the above reasons Unions oppose the election of Norm Coleman to a second term in office as Minnesota Senator.