Politics Matter: Grassroots effort helps election victories

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During the month of October, Local 1000 members and staff had conversations with tens of thousands of voters about issues important to working families. In the five weeks leading to Election Day, during more than 3,500 volunteer shifts, we made calls and knocked on doors for candidates up and down the state.

“This election was about harnessing our grassroots power to elect leaders who will defend the middle class,” said Local 1000 President Yvonne R. Walker. “Our mobilization for the Nov. 4 election is just the latest example of the power of our volunteers. Together, we’ve bargained a fair contract, twice elected a governor and legislative leaders who support working families, and defeated the dangerous and deceptive Prop. 32 in 2012.”

“It was exciting to be part of a successful campaign that really makes California a better state,” said Dorrie Steadman, who took time off from her job as a nurse at Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County to work full time on political organizing.

“Supporting the right candidates is exactly the work that we do to help America’s working families,” said Steadman.