The New York State AFL-CIO: Labor's Grass Roots Efforts Crucial in 23rd Congressional District Victory

ALBANY, NY (11/04/2009)(readMedia)-- Denis Hughes, President of the 2 million member New York State AFL-CIO today issued the following statement regarding the victory of Bill Owens in the race for the open seat in the 23rd Congressional District:

"Today, the labor movement in this state has a great deal to be proud of. Presented with extraordinary circumstances this past weekend, organized labor was able to overcome a daunting challenge and implement a coordinated grassroots campaign that helped propel our candidate to victory.

With only hours to prepare, and less than three days to implement its strategy, labor's ground forces knocked on thousands of doors and made close to 150,000 phone calls. In less than 72 hours, organized labor mobilized hundreds of volunteers on the streets in the 23rd Congressional District.

The New York State AFL-CIO is proud of its members who worked so diligently on behalf of Bill Owens, who will be a strong voice in Washington for Upstate New York's working men and women.

Last night's results also show that right wing conservatives, when given the opportunity to display their ideology, particularly their lack of regard for the needs and concerns of working men and women, will always find it difficult to win election in the state of New York.

Organized labor looks forward to working with Congressman-Elect Owens to bring more jobs upstate, reform our nation's broken health care system, and turn the page on the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration."

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