The 2010 elections are critically important to working families.

For nearly two years we have been up against a unified anti-worker minority in the United States Congress that is intent on collectively saying "NO" to every initiative put forward, which has weakened or killed every progressive piece of legislation that voters mandated in the last election. Because of this "just say no" strategy, we have no Employee Free Choice Act; we have a weakened health care reform package; unemployment compensation debacles are constant, and the list goes on. Their strategy, teamed with certain networks in the media being their mouthpiece of support, has been effective at generating voter frustration. Voters, including many of our members, are furious at the inability of Congress to act in the best interest of workers who are suffering.

Though the Obama Administration inherited an unprecedented economic disaster, the anti-worker minority in the Congress has worked tirelessly to try to convince voters that President Obama actually created the problems we face. That is simply not true, but by using the Senate filibuster approach that requires a super-majority on every single vote, they have collectively created gridlock. Now, they are going to voters claiming the majority that we helped elect has had their chance - but couldn’t accomplish anything meaningful. Their strategy has also been well-funded. Fully half a billion dollars on lobbying and campaigns is being spent in an attempt to take back control.

At the state level, this is one of the most important elections we have faced as a union since we were founded. This election, in every state, will determine which political party will control the drawing of the congressional and state house boundaries. The winners at the state level in state houses and governors’ offices will draw these lines that will either give us a stronger voice in elections or make us much less effective. These elections will also determine the success or failure of critically important legislative battles we are preparing for in state houses across the U.S.

We are judging each candidate on their position on our issues — no exceptions. No one should take our support for granted, but we must fight for USW supporters, many of whom could lose without our help.

We must do everything possible to help our friends who are under attack.