Union workers show support for Gore

Lisa Snedeker

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000 | 4:54 a.m.

LAS VEGAS - Leaders of the United Steelworkers of America say they were "uplifted" and "inspired" by Vice President Al Gore's pro-union address to their 30th Constitutional Convention on Thursday.

"We are for working families, not the powerful, not the comfortable," said Gore during a satellite address.

"I know that so many of your brothers and sisters are hurting right now. Well, I'm going to see to it that today's prosperity reaches all the working families, not just a few."

The steelworkers union endorsed Gore as its Democratic presidential nominee in October. The Democratic National Convention starts Monday in Los Angeles.

Gore's 10-minute televised speech to the 3,000 delegates gathered at the Las Vegas Convention Center was welcomed with numerous standing ovations.

"I thought he was really uplifting and really sincere," said Beverly Pope, 43, of Jackson, Miss., a USWA delegate who works for the Rival Co. in Floorwood, Miss. "He made me feel proud."

Bill Biblis, 45, president Local 1016 from Pennsylvania, said he thought Gore was "right on target with all the steelworkers' issues. We need him in there to veto anything the Republicans may do against us. He's the right candidate."

Biblis said he thinks Gore will fight against the China trade agreement.

But Doug Mullen, 49, president Local 9309 from Columbus, Ohio, admitted he had some doubts about Gore and the Chinese trade agreement because the vice president voted for the NAFTA treaty.

"But I believe he will stand up for us this time because he realizes now he needs our support," Mullen said. "His choice of a vice president is another example of him realizing how strong we are and that he does need our support."

Of his newly announced running mate Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Gore said: "We're going to be pro-union and pro-worker," he said. "Joe Lieberman and I need your votes."

The president is the one person who has the responsibility to fight for all of the people, especially those who most need a check, Gore said. "That's what I have always done and that's what I'm going to do as your president."

Because he has seen the striking workers' struggle, Gore told the steelworkers it's time to pass a law that bans permanent strike replacement workers.

"The right to organize is a fundamental American right," he said. "We'll fight to level the playing field."

He also said he would fight to strengthen OSHA, "not gut it" and that he would not use any Social Security or Medicare funds for anything other than those programs.

"We will stand up to the HMOs and pass a real patients' bill of rights. We'll take on the big drug companies and pass a real prescription drug plan for seniors."

"I want to be president to fight for you," he said.

Gore and Lieberman spent the day campaigning in Atlanta before flying on to Philadelphia.