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Workers in Ohio Say 'Jobs Crisis' Far From Over
WASHINGTON -- The jobs crisis is still the No. 1 issue for blue collar, middle class voters in Ohio, according to a survey by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Conducted for the IAM by Fingerhut & Associates, the survey also identifies issues that could decide the outcome of the upcoming presidential election in Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Washington."Nearly one fifth of all the workers surveyed reported a job loss in their immediate family during the past two years," said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Lynn D. Tucker Jr. "In Ohio, 46% of those reporting job losses in their family said that person was not back at work. And 68% believe the situation for their children and grandchildren is likely to get worse.""A tick up or down in the unemployment rate misses the point," said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, whose union lost 90,000 members since 2000. "The fear of job loss runs deep among the workers surveyed in this poll. For millions of middle class Americans, both in and out of work, the nation's employment crisis is far from over."The survey also revealed dramatic political potential for the candidate or party willing to give more than lip service to America's blue-collar concerns. Every job creation idea tested in the survey drew strong support from four-fifths of the respondents. Additionally, seven out of 10 voters polled said they would be willing to forgo current or future tax cuts for programs to create or protect U.S. jobs.Despite the traditional alliance between blue-collar workers and Democratic candidates, the survey found a huge reservoir of potential votes for whichever candidate will act decisively on their behalf. "The blue collar vote in these states is still up for grabs," said Buffenbarger. "The candidate who ultimately connects with these workers could ride that support all the way to the White House. The candidate who ignores them will do so at his own expense."The IAM represents nearly 700,000 active and retired members and administers more than 4,500 contracts in transportation, woodworking, aerospace, manufacturing and defense related industries.Visit the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers: www.goiam.org"