Gore Talks the Talk in Speech to AFL-CIO

Vice President Al Gore’s gratitude for the AFL-CIO endorsement Wednesday was evident in what may have been his strongest pro-union speech yet--one that included references to labor’s latest organizing tools, such as neutrality agreements and card-check elections, and a call for labor law reform.

Speaking to delegates at the close of the labor federation’s national convention in Los Angeles, Gore vowed to include labor standards in global trade agreements--a nod to unions that have bitterly opposed the Clinton administration’s loosening of trade barriers--and to strengthen the National Labor Relations Board, which he said moves too slowly in settling complaints of unfair labor practices.

It was all music to the ears of labor leaders and rank-and-file members, who have sensed their political clout growing under a rejuvenated federation that is funneling more resources into organizing and political action than it has for decades.

Gore shared the stage at the Convention Center with nearly a dozen workers, including Julia Lopez, a janitor at USC who helped organize co-workers to join the Service Employees International Union after her job was put out to a subcontractor. She is now union shop steward. “She told me that what this is all about is respecto, which as you know is Spanish for respect,” Gore said, “and that’s what this comes down to.”

Miguel Contreras, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, said he expected nothing less. “He’s been meeting with workers all over the country and he understands what we’re up against,” Contreras said. “He gave us all a good reason to stand behind him. I think you’re going to see in this election the biggest mobilization of rank-and-file workers in Los Angeles in recent history.”

The much-anticipated Gore endorsement followed a march into the Convention Center hall by more than 600 political activists, from precinct walkers to campaign chiefs, most of them from Southern California. It was a taste of what labor leaders--who delivered a surprising blow last year to Proposition 226, which could have gutted union lobbying--promised would be a record union turnout at the polls next year.

“Gore’s candidacy really does resonate here in California,” said Fabian Nunez, political director of the county federation. “He was out here numerous times during 226. People already know him.”

Just Tuesday night, the local labor movement raised $800,000 for voter education and registration in a fund-raising dinner headlined by singer Gladys Knight and attended by several thousand, including dozens of local elected officials.

As they streamed out of the Convention Center on Wednesday, many rank-and-file members appeared ready to hit the streets. “You’re going to see a lot of purple shirts out knocking on doors this year,” said Terri Fernandez, a Los Angeles health-care worker and member of SEIU, whose members sport bright purple T-shirts. “We’ve got to get that man elected.”

Others were more skeptical, including Raul Pineda, a construction worker and member of the Laborers union in El Monte. “He said all the right things,” Pineda said. “But that’s what politicians do, no? Everybody makes promises, and then they forget about you after the election. I think Gore might be different, but we have to see what happens.”

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* GORE ENDORSED

The 13-million member AFL-CIO endorsed Vice President Al Gore for president. A3