adn.com | Alaska Politics Blog : AFL-CIO backs Begich, Young AND Berkowitz

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Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

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AFL-CIO backs Begich, Young AND Berkowitz

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: June 23, 2008 - 8:47 pm

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage--

The Alaska AFL-CIO is backing Mark Begich for U.S. Senate but hedging its bets, for now at least, in the race for the U.S. House.

The state’s largest labor organization at this point is supporting both Republican Rep. Don Young and Democratic challenger Ethan Berkowitz.

It’s endorsing Berkowitz over Diane Benson in the Democratic primary. And it’s endorsing Young over Sean Parnell and Gabrielle LeDoux in the Republican primary.

“It is important for us to distinguish the candidates who are strongest on labor issues in seriously contested primaries. Ethan and Don answered our questionnaires correctly and on time. They both have outstanding labor records and we will be urging our members to support them in the primary,” Alaska AFL-CIO president Vince Beltrami said in a written statement.

The AFL-CIO said that it's "unanimous vote for dual endorsement will be revisited after the primary at the AFL-CIO State Convention in August 2008.”

But the organization didn’t wait to endorse Democrat Begich in his bid to defeat incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Stevens. Here’s what the AFL-CIO said about that:

“While the endorsement was not unanimous and Sen. Stevens accomplishments were acknowledged and appreciated, the body felt that Mayor Begich’s unflinching support for the working men and women of Alaska and for the most significant labor law reform before Congress in decades, the Employee Free Choice Act, as well as his support for other issues important to working families is more in line with the vision of the American and Alaskan labor movement.”

The endorsement came at a special meeting of the vice-presidents of the Alaska AFL-CIO. Over 95 VP’s from around the state were there, according to the organization.

Stevens' campaign, meanwhile, today announced he had earned the endorsement of the Alaska Forest Association. The group, the campaign said, "represents virtually all of the constituents groups associated with Alaska’s timber
industry. This includes timber operators, tug and barge operators, suppliers, road building companies and many others employing hundreds of Alaskans across the state."

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5 June 24, 2008 - 12:38pm | akmooster

what is going on with the world?

the unions are backing the socialists? what next, the churches backing the r's?

non-story.

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June 29, 2008 - 12:40pm | ilovelucy

let's be specific

You mean the churches backing the Corrupt Bastards Club, don't you? Or fascists? Am I getting warm?

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December 4, 2008 - 12:58am | megal_2

sony ericsson converter |||

tw

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December 4, 2008 - 12:57am | megal_2

sony ericsson converter |||

sony ericsson converter ||| blackberry video converter|

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4 June 24, 2008 - 9:19am | LilysDaddy

Just wondering:

Did the Alaska AFL-CIO poll its dues-paying members as to their choice of political candidate to back? Offer them a chance to vote?

No?

Will union members receive a dues refund if they disagree with the choices made?

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June 24, 2008 - 9:29am | akmc

Voting...

Are you not going to vote in the primary or the general election?

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June 24, 2008 - 9:56am | LilysDaddy

Of course, akmc

I've not missed voting in an election since I became eligible in 1968.

My comment had to do with national/state unions which undertake unilateral action (without allowing member input) when endorsing political candidates. Union dues are used to fund political actions taken by unions on behalf of state/national candidates--polling, campaigning, getting-out-the-vote, etc.--as well as initiating and supporting legislation viewed as favorable to unions, with no representative input from union members.

Considered it an "unfunded mandate" imposed on union members. Sorry, I don't support such actions.

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June 24, 2008 - 10:06am | akmc

Actually,

The leadership of a union is elected by it's members.

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June 24, 2008 - 2:37pm | fred280403

A Helpful Analogy

I own stock in a corporation. With that I get some (token) input into the selection of the governing board of said corporation. They (and their C class executives) do what they think is best for that corporation. I may or may not agree with it - but you know what? Tough luck for me. I can vote them out or I can sell my stock.

Same with the unions.

Sorry, LilysDaddy - that dog don't hunt...never did - never will.

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June 24, 2008 - 3:42pm | LilysDaddy

Point taken, thanks

.

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3 June 23, 2008 - 11:08pm | idiocracy

Ethan Berkowitz is the MAN!!!!!

I strongly urge the AFL-CIO to endorse Ethan Berkowitz for US house after the primary season is over. I feel Don Young will be to busy clearing his name to be an effective congressman.

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June 24, 2008 - 9:53pm | truthseeker

My My..............

that is quite an endorsement for someone named idiocracy. If anyone hasn't seen that film they should. And then consider wanting to be associated with someone who identifies with that.

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2 June 23, 2008 - 9:20pm | funkalunatic

Wonder what those questionnaires asked...

"Ethan and Don answered our questionnaires correctly and on time."

I don't see any reporting on the contents of these questionnaires. Is there some kind of "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy at ADN when it comes to that kind of stuff? Somehow I'm not surprised.

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1 June 23, 2008 - 9:16pm | TheSdog

The unions

may as well just say Marky Mark will do everything he can for us no matter how much it costs the taxpayer.

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June 24, 2008 - 12:30am | Sheridan_Sheraton

unions

VECO's demise means they [AFL-CIO] have moved into the number 1 spot in most corrupting influences in Alaska.

Seems like they had a legislated a way into the AGIA contract. Maybe the potential pipe workers should have done that union decision thing for themselves, or is there more to it than just that?

Or maybe I should say do it 'to' themselves.

This endorsement could cause Ethan to waste his money on loosing. Hopefully it hinders Begich, too.

Lots can happen between now and November. It would be nice to see some of those 'brotherhood' guys finally get their indictments.

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June 24, 2008 - 8:16am | tom12

yeah, right.

ensuring working people have good jobs that pay them enough to cover the cost of raising energy and food costs, ensuring that a person has something at the end of his working life so he doesnt have to go to the food bank when he cant work any more, making sure a person has access to health care so they and their family arent a burden on society. Yep, them Unions sure corrupt politicians - Thank God

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August 25, 2008 - 2:13am | Gus_Davis

What about the cost of Union Dues

FOR NOTHING!

The union has the clampdown. Just look at this PUBLIC FILE of Jim Duncan's Conflict of interest . A contract to do nothing.

What's the deal with this conflict of interest stipulation he violated?

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June 24, 2008 - 11:31pm | Sheridan_Sheraton

I guess you Just Don't Know..

Jim Duncan signed a stipulation with the Murkowski Administration that he would not file any grievances that arose under his position as Commissioner of Administration, among numerous other things. This will all come to light when the Grand Jury does it's job.

Jim did not offer this information as he pretended to represent members. Nor did the former Assistant Attorney General who lied about the public availability of his conflict-of -interest resolutions.

This will likely put him in the same cell as Tom Anderson on conspiracy charges. (or, well Maybe Texas with the Fairbanks Mayor.)

Find out for yourself, please. And don't let the Attorney General tell you that the file 223-03-0342 is completely confidential: Ask them for the parts that are written and designated as 'public record.' It's there in Black and white. And until they respond to your queery shut up about unions not being a most corrupting influence in Alaska..

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June 24, 2008 - 10:38am | rfn

How do you square that

with the firings at the union-owned radio station here in Seattle-North? The one where the employees couldn't be unionized.

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June 24, 2008 - 11:29pm | Sheridan_Sheraton

Easy-

Union DOUBLESPEAK!

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