Public Employee Press

Building Political Power at the Polls
Convention delegates will put union issues first as the Democratic platform takes shape.

Four members win DNC slots

In Cypress Hills projects and the Joseph H. Pink houses, in beauty salons and supermarkets throughout her East New York neighborhood and even on the No. 3 train, Janice Hailey handed palm cards to everyone she could.

For the DC 37 member and Democratic National Convention delegate hopeful, the intense political activity paid off. Union phone bank volunteers who targeted members and their families provided vital help as the DC 37 Political Action Dept. spearheaded campaigns for 10 delegates citywide.

“I am enjoying my victory,” Ms. Hailey said proudly. She got the most votes and beat out five competitors for the coveted slot.

As the returns rolled in on Super Tuesday, March 2, four DC 37 activists were winners and will be delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July.

The field was tough, with thousands of eager activists running statewide to get the voters’ nod and gain entrance to the convention floor. Jackie Rowe-Adams of Local 299, Melvin Alston of Local 371 and Belinda Dixon and Ms. Hailey of Local 1549 were elected and will join Local 1655 President Donald Afflick — an automatic delegate as a member of the Democratic National Committee — for the work ahead in Boston.

From California to New York, Super Tuesday was a day of decision for the Democratic Party, with 1,151 convention delegates at stake, more than half the number needed to win the party’s presidential nomination.

In New York, the voters made it clear that they have had enough of President Bush. Taking back America by ousting him from the White House in 2004 proved to be one of the most important issues to voters, running second only to jobs and the economy.

Sen. John Kerry swept the race in 9 of 10 states in which primaries were held March 2, bringing him to a total of 27 victories.

“We are well on our way to taking back America,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us. We can’t afford to be complacent. We have to register our friends and family members who are eligible to vote and turn out November 2 like our lives depended on it.”

— DSW