December 12, 2009 03:19 PM UTC

The Colorado Democratic Party Labor Initiative seeks to expand

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• by: Ray Springfield

The Colorado Democratic Party Labor Initiative met on Saturday December 5th at 11:00 AM

prior to the state party central committee meeting. Labor leaders such as Mike Cerbo, Ed Knox Bob Young and Tim Allport gave strong input and encouraged the expansion of the initiative. Attendance was strong. Many individuals expressed a desire to broaden the outreach of the party to include the southern part of the state.

Former Speaker of the House Andreww Romanoff indtroduced himself.

His usual fine oratory skills did not fail to impress.

In this time of economic hardship, it is my belief that now more than ever the labor movement must demonstrate solidarity. If we don’t stand together in difficult times, how can we expect to make any progress in positive business cycles?.

Corporate executives now argue that it is normal and expected to be paid more than 300 times the average salary of a line worker. The bonuses that these companies pay their top executives make the differential obscene. The Japanese, in contrast have a differential of

roughly 40 times the average worker, and their products remain competitive.

The sad truth of globalization that neither party adequately informed the American public is what Ross Perot called a giant sucking sound. As opposed to jobs going just south of the USA border, new middle classes in India, China, and other historically third world nations

prosper while the American manufacturing base dwindles. This country used to have a textile industry. The steel industry has predominantly become one that exports raw materials to

other countries to manufacture . The corporate elite have set a standard of opulence for incompetence, while denying the labor force normal standard of living increases and ever increasing health care costs.

The CDP Labor Initiative has worked hard to promote health care reform for all Americans. The SEIU worked tirelessly all summer to organize support for health care. The Employee Free Choice Act sits next on our agenda to lobby congress for the right to freely organize.

Crisanta Duran, the outgoing legal council of UFCW announced that she is seeking a state house seat to great applause and enthusiasm.

Colorado has a long history of men and women that fought for fair wages, fair working conditions, 40 hour work weeks, and health insurance and retirement benefits. Without the labor movement these achievements enjoyed by the majority of the non unionized labor force would

never have come to pass. People gave their lives for these achievements and should be honored.

Join the Colorado Democratic Party Labor Initiative.

Solidarity now!