Militant unions can make a difference in the political arena by electing the right Democrats to office, which is why two members of the United Steelworkers of Am. are running for Congress, USWA President George Becker said
Aug. 7. Becker alleged that the problems members face, such as jobs being lost because of businesses moving to foreign countries, require a political solution, Becker told delegates to USWA’s thirty convention. That is why the Becker is pulling out all the stops to get USWA members elected, he said.
Democrat Greg Goodnight, who works at a specialty steel manufacturer in Kokomo, Ind., is challenging incumbent Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.). In Pa., Ed O’Brien, the ex-boss of a Bethlehem Steel local, is challenging incumbent Rep. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).
A third USWA member, Marvin Williams, a Democratic forklift driver in Tenn., was defeated in an Aug. 3 primary in his bid to unseat six-term incumbent Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.). USWA was targeting Tanner for defeat because he was one of 73 Democrats who voted to grant China permanent normal trade relations. [BNA 8/8/00]