Labor 2010 Volunteer Spotlight: Steve Bauer

USW 1163 member Steve Bauer is busy phonebanking, doorknocking, and worksite leafleting for North East Area Labor Council for Labor 2010. A Winder Helper for Sappi Paper in Cloquet, he also serves as treasurer for his local. He is a lead for USW in his area to urge other locals to worksite flyer, local union leader letters, and volunteer recruitment.

Steve jokes about his Labor 2010 volunteerism by saying, “I’m a political virgin.” He is currently release staff and dedicates his days persuading others to vote for Mark Dayton for Governor. Joking aside, Steve is very sincere, polite, and easygoing. It comes through when he engages other union members. “What we’re doing will sway some people to vote with their union, to vote for Mark Dayton.”

Doorknocking is Steve’s favorite part of the work that he does. “Face to face contact is five times more likely to persuade union members to vote the way they say they will. Of course, we want them to support the union-endorsed candidates.”

Minnesota’s future depends on electing a governor who will stand up for policies that will protect working families and grow jobs. Steve says, “Do we want four more years of status quo or four years of someone who will care about the working class? I ask myself, am I better off than I was four years ago? That’s why we need to re-elect Jim Oberstar for Congress and elect Mark Dayton for Governor.”

Steve has a plan for Election Day, November 2. He is going to vote at 7 a.m. then “do whatever Chad McKenna tell me to do!”

Do you have a plan for Election Day? You can still send in your absentee ballot, or go vote absentee. Now is the time to plan for when you are going to vote, then spend the rest of the day GOTV-ing. To see the labor endorsed candidates for your area, check out the online voter guide at www.MiddleClassMN.org.