Machinists President Attacks Republican Era Ripoffs

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 /
EMWNews
/ -- Leaders of the

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM),

serving as delegates and committee officials at the Democratic National

Convention in Denver, will press for economic reforms that repair damage

done by Republican policies over the past eight years.



    "The 2008 general election will be an intense, no holds barred fight,"

said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger, a member of the Platform Committee.

"Democrats can -- and should -- fight to protect all Americans from the

price gouging and rip offs perpetrated by Republicans during the past eight

years.



    "We have a duty to our members who saw their pensions stolen, their

contracts shredded and their pockets picked by the most anti-union

administration in U.S. history," said Buffenbarger. "We plan to highlight

the Republicans' shameful record of hostility toward blue-collar union

members.



    "The rise in fuel, utility and credit card rates during the past eight

years is a wake-up call," said Buffenbarger. "Electric utility rates for

residential customers went from 8.58 cents in 2001 to 10.52 cents per

kilowatt hour in 2008, an increase of 22 percent, a gut punch that hits

hourly employees especially hard."



    Homeowner's insurance rates, natural gas rates and health insurance

rates all experienced similar increases under Republican rule.



    The IAM is among the largest industrial trade union in North America,

representing workers in transportation, aerospace, shipbuilding,

manufacturing and defense-related industries. For more information about

the Machinists Union, visit http://www.goiam.org.