Labor 2010 Volunteer Spotlight: Phil Adams

Phil Adams is dedicated to electing candidates who will stand up for union members and the working families. A member of Laborers Local 405, he is currently release staff for Southeast Area Labor Council. This is Phil’s first time as release staff for the political program, and he is working tirelessly to elect our union-edorsed candidates Mark Dayton for Governor and Tim Walz for Congress through phonebanking, doorknocking and getting out the vote.

Phil has been around political activism his whole life. Staunch democrats, his parents would often host local DFL meetings at their house when Phil was growing up. In fact, Phil’s jump into union activism came just a few weeks ago when Southeast ALC Treasurer Russell Hess was phonebanking fellow Laborers. Russell and Phil had an in-depth conversation over the phone, where Russell asked if Phil was interested in volunteering. They later met, and Phil started full-time just last week.

A resident of Albert Lea, Phil sees firsthand how Pawlenty’s policies that cut aid to rural areas affect small communities like his own. He says, “It boils down to what keeps me and my community employed. I am a homeowner, a father, and sportsman. I see how my family is directly affected by politics.”

Many times, small communities don’t have as diverse of an economy as metro areas, so the hits to local government aid can severely affect the local landscape. “We can’t continue the last 8 years of failed policies by Pawlenty. The government needs to have the political will to push policies that will help our communities grow, and Mark Dayton will lead our state in that direction.”

Phil’s favorite part of the Labor 2010 experience thus far is doorknocking. He is happy to be supporting Mark Dayton for Governor and Tim Walz for Congress, and looks forward to electing them on Tuesday, November 2.