USW Leaders Spend Week Before Election Rallying Activists, Preparing for Massive GOTV Efforts

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard is scheduled to join candidates in key races, union leaders and others in several states, where he will rally activists, prepare for massive get out the vote efforts and remind workers what's at stake when they cast their ballots Nov. 6.

(Logo:   http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080131/DC12982LOGO )

Besides scheduled stops in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Virginia, Gerard also is scheduled to visit workers in Freeport, Illinois, who have been protesting their jobs being offshored to China by Mitt Romney's Bain.

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy, including many of our own members and their families. While we're working to care for those in need, we also remain focused on what is the most important election of our lifetimes. There is too much at stake and we can't afford to rest," Gerard said.

Gerard added, "We have about one week to knock on every door we can knock on, walk every block we can walk, phone every voter we can phone and do everything we can to help re-elect President Obama and other candidates who will stand with all of America, not just with the Wall Street elite."

Media are welcome to attend public events on President Gerard's tour. The following dates and locations are pending weather. Please check www.usw.org for the latest schedule.

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2012:

WHO:  U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, Leo Gerard and others
WHAT: Rally
WHEN: Noon, Eastern Time, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012
WHERE: USW Local 1123, Golden Lodge, 1234 Harrison Ave., SW, Canton, OH 44706

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, 2012:

WHO:    U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, Gubernatorial candidate John Gregg, Congressional candidate Brenden Mullen, UAW International President Bob King, Leo Gerard and others
WHAT:   Rally
WHEN:   4:30 p.m. Central Time, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
WHERE: United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 685, 929 East Hoffer Avenue, Kokomo, IN

WHO:      USW leaders, members, Sensata workers, others
WHAT:     Showing solidarity at "Bainport," Sensata workers' camp
WHEN:    7 p.m. Central Time, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012
WHERE:  2250 S. Walnut Rd., Freeport, IL 61032

THURSDAY, NOV. 1, 2012:

WHO:     U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Congressional candidate Jamie Wall, State Sen. David Hansen, State Assembly candidates Jeff McCabe and Patrick Veeser; AFSCME President Lee Saunders, Leo Gerard and others
WHAT:   Rally/Labor Walk
WHEN:   4 p.m. Central Time, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012
WHERE: Labor Council, 1570 Elizabeth St., Green Bay, WI 54302

FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 2012:

WHO:     Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris, Cleveland Browns icon Jim Brown; Edmund Nelson and other retired NFL players; Leo Gerard, others
WHAT:   Steel Blitz for Barack rally
WHEN:   11 a.m. Eastern Time, Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
WHERE: USW Headquarters, 60 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

WHO:     U.S. Senate candidate Gov. Tim Kaine, Leo Gerard, others
WHAT:    Rally
WHEN:    4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
WHERE: USW Local 8888, 4306 Huntington Avenue; Newport News, VA 23607

This release is paid for by the United Steelworkers Political Action Fund, Five Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

The USW is the largest industrial union in North America and has 850,000 members in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. It represents workers employed in metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, atomic energy and the service sector. For more info: www.usw.org.

Contact: Tim Waters, USW Political Director, 412-999-3587

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)