One Family’s Tradition and Commitment to Serve Country and Union – Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Associ

One Family’s Tradition and Commitment to Serve Country and Union – Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association
One Family’s Tradition and Commitment to Serve Country and Union
Veterans
One Family’s Tradition and Commitment to Serve Country and Union
By Deanna C. Santo
Robert J. Santo, an active OPCMIA International Representative, is just one in a long-line of family patriarchs that have dedicated their lives to the service of others. Like his father before him and son who followed, Robert’s early adult years were spent as a member of the United States Armed Forces, eventually moving on to establish himself as a career Union member. With over four decades of experience in working to advance the union’s mission, Robert J. still remembers those formidable years spent in the United States Navy.
For the Santo Family, this tradition began with Robert L. Santo, a former Cement Mason (Local 699 South Jersey) and member of the United States Navy (1946-1950). Robert L. spent his years in the Navy as a machinist and was present for the first series of nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll (
Operation Crossroads
), as part of the support fleet required to complete this operation. Bikini Atoll is situated in the South Pacific, only one of the 23 Marshall Islands ultimately involved in this experimental undertaking.
Robert J. Santo continued this tradition. Like his father, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy (1978-1982), working as an electrician aboard the U.S.S. Independence (CV-62) and U.S.S. McCandless (FF-1084). Between the times spent aboard both of these ships, Robert J. was primarily involved with cruises in the Mediterranean, while shorter deployments brought him to the Black Sea and Caribbean.
Robert B. Santo, a Veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, is the most recent Santo family member to spend time in the military and the union (Local 592). Between 2007-2011, Robert B. underwent rigorous education to become an expert in special tech electronics and served as a paratrooper with the esteemed 82
nd
Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The 82
nd
Airborne is a famous light infantry division known for its premier air assault skills and operations. Its resume boasts a number of notable campaigns and highly decorated soldiers.
The union’s commitment to its Veteran population complements the Santo Family tradition of serving its country – Taking care of those who have bravely taken care of us all. This full-circle approach has provided countless members and their families a secure opportunity to grow and thrive.
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Tina Smith
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Minnesota
P.O. Box 14362
St. Paul, MN 55114
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“It’s pretty simple, taxpayer-funded government contracts should go to companies that follow the law and treat their workers fairly. Unfortunately, today, too many federal contracts are being awarded to companies with egregious and repeated violations of worker protection laws,” said Sen. Smith. “While most contractors treat their workers fairly, we should be cracking down on the bad actors that put workers’ lives and livelihoods at risk.”
Tina Smith wants an end to employers mistreating their employees and wants to expand workplace protections by those employed by large federal contractors
Tina smith believes in creating legislation that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour
Healthcare/Retirement:
“Social Security is the bedrock of economic and retirement security of the American middle class. Tina believes we should expand Social Security and ensure that it remain solvent in the long term. Tina strongly opposes serious threats to these programs like privatization and steps to cut benefits. She also opposes the recent Republican tax bill, which adds $1.5 trillion to our national debt and risks major cuts to Social Security and Medicare.”
Smith is a strong supporter of strengthening Medicare and Social Security
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
Jason Lewis
Before his Senate race Lewis was a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives
He was formerly a conservative commentator for the Star Tribune
Lewis was endorsed by President Trump
Tina Smith:
Smith won the special election in 2018 to secure her Senate seat
Won her seat by 11 percentage points
Smith was endorsed by both Amy Klobuchar and Former Vice President Joe Biden
Other Information:
AFL-CIO Scorecard rates her at a lifetime score of 100%
She was appointed to fill Al Franken Senate seat after he resigned in 2017
Theresa Greenfield
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Iowa
Campaign Office Number:
515-346-8477
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor
“Unions built the middle class, and we should be working to strengthen their standing in our communities. When Theresa’s first husband, a union electrical lineman, died in a workplace accident, his union helped Theresa and her kids land on their feet. Theresa is standing up for union rights and has been endorsed by local labor unions across Iowa representing thousands of workers.”
Retirement
“While politicians in Washington are talking about cutting Medicare and Social Security to pay for tax breaks for billionaires and special interests, Theresa believes that Social Security and Medicare are promises we must keep to our seniors. She opposes the privatization of both programs as they are crucial to the livelihoods of countless Iowans. Theresa will never let anyone lay a finger on them while she is in the Senate.”
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
Joni Ernst (R) Incumbent Senator
Advocates for the Trump Administration
Supported Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh
Theresa Greenfield:
Endorsed by the Iowa AFL-CIO and Amy Klobuchar
First time bid for a Senatorial race
Other Information:
Grew up on a farm:
Appeals to the overwhelming number of farmers in Iowa
Unions helped her in her time of need
Husband passed away and Social Security and Union Benefits gave her “that hand up that I needed to get started”
Steve Bullock
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Montana
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
Strong supporter of Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership CPTPP (referred to as TPP 2.0)
Wants the minimum wage raised to $15/hour
Successfully raised the minimum wage in Montana before he was Governor and another time while as Governor
Wants Montana construction projects to fully require at least 50% of the workers be Montana residents on any project funded by the state
Social Security and Medicare:
Bullock expanded Medicaid in Montana under Affordable Care Act
Has helped lower premiums for Montanans
Infrastructure:
Signed a bill investing $400 million into infrastructure across Montana
The bill includes repairing and constructing buildings, bridges, and water systems
Critical Election Information:
Main Competitor:
Steve Daines is the Incumbent Senator
Dominated his primary
Every election he has participated in he has pulled 10% more of the vote than his competitors
Steve Bullock:
Secured 95% of the votes in his primary
The Montana AFL-CIO endorsed him
Other Information:
He is the current Governor of Montana
Has been in the Governor’s office since 2013
Sara Gideon
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Maine
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“Creating and expanding job training programs to give workers the skills they need to attain good paying jobs and address shortages in our skilled workforce”
“Workers’ rights are the cornerstone of a strong economy, and we’ve been able to support Maine workers by investing in job training programs, fighting for a higher minimum wage, and protecting the right of Mainers to organize and secure benefits they deserve.”
Healthcare/Retirement:
“Maine Seniors have paid into Social Security and Medicare, using these programs to their retirement and future. That’s why Sara will always fight to protect those benefits…”
“She restored a low-cost drug program for nearly 2,00 Maine seniors and championed the release of $15 million in senior affordable housing bonds…”
She believes that ACA should “allow anyone to choose to buy into Medicare through a newly created public option, while preserving the choice for those who like their private insurance to keep it
Infrastructure:
“Investing in infrastructure development and technological advancements like rural broadband, which will help create the jobs of the future and revitalize rural communities in Maine”
Critical Election Information:
Main Competitor:
Susan Collins is the Incumbent Senator
Has been in office since 1996
Sara Gideon:
She won the primary with 70% of the vote
Six Labor Unions Endorsed Sara Gideon
Carpenters, Locomotive Engineers, Machinists, AFSCME, Iron Workers, and Postal Workers
Other Information:
Gideon has been in the Maine House of Representatives for the last eight years
Mark Kelly
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Arizona
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor Quotes and Comments:
He has “highlighted both the importance of small businesses to the Arizona economy as well as the importance of trade schools and apprenticeships.”
“We’ve got a shortage in our country in a lot of different trades, whether it’s barbers or electricians or pipe fitters or carpenters. In certain areas of the country, in places that are growing like Arizona, there is clearly, clearly a need”
Social Security Medicare:
“America made a promise to protect the health and wellbeing of its seniors. Mark opposes legislation weakening Social Security or efforts to gamble seniors’ retirement security in the stock market. Medicare is also a solemn promise made to Arizona’s seniors. Recently, Washington politicians proposed cutting over 800 billion dollars from Medicare. Mark opposes these proposed cuts. Mark also opposes efforts to change Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher system.”
Infrastructure:
He believes in “supporting economic drivers like trade, tourism and the military, while also investing in research and development.”
“Ending the tax breaks for the super wealthy and big corporations that are exploding the national debt while not benefiting working and middle class Arizonans.”
“Investing now in things that will pay off for our country down the road, like infrastructure and research and development.”
Critical Election Information:
Main Competitor:
Martha McSally
Appointed to John McCain’s seat after the replacement stepped down
Lost her General Election in 2018 to Kyrsten Sinema
Originally a U.S. House Representative (Arizona District 2)
Mark Kelly:
has not run for public officer before
Kelly was endorsed by the AFL-CIO
Other Information:
Kelly is a U.S. Navy veteran and former Astronaut
Retired in 2011
Co-Founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions
Super PAC that advocates for stronger gun laws
M.J. Hegar
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Texas
P.O. Box 7156
Round Rock, TX 78683
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“My stepdad died in a workplace accident. If it were not for the labor movement, many more families would suffer the same pain, and we would not have the workers’ rights that we have today. Every day, I am fighting for workers like him.”
Hegar is a strong ally to labor organizations
She has promised to always protect the rights of the workers to unionize and collectively bargain for fair wages and safe work environments
Healthcare/Retirement:
“I will fight efforts to cut pensions, Social Security and Medicare”
She advocates for the expansion of Medicare and protection of the Affordable Care Act
She will also oppose any threats to Social Security
She believes “Social Security and Medicare are not entitlements, but a promise made to every American”
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
John Coryn is the Incumbent Senator
Prior to his Senate tenure starting in 2002 he was previously Texas Supreme Court Justice
Coryn dominated his primary with 76 percent of the vote
He was endorsed by Senator Ted Cruz
He has an opposition to the Tea-Party
M.J. Hegar:
She won her primary by 5 percentage points
Hegar was endorsed by Former President Barack Obama
The Texas AFL-CIO along with many other unions including the OPCMIA have endorsed her
Other Information:
Hegar ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas but lost by only 3 percentage points.
Hegar served in the U.S. Air Force
Served three tours in Afghanistan
Military awards include:
Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross
John Ossof
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Georgia
P.O. Box 450326
Atlanta, Georgia, GA 31145
Website
Important Political Stances:
Infrastructure:
John has made a campaign promise to provide investments into infrastructure, which includes transportation and transit, clean energy, public health, and environmental clean up
Labor:
Though there are no significant quotes made about organized labor, there are many signs that he is an ally. The AFL-CIO has formally endorsed him. The implementation of investing in infrastructure will create many well-paying jobs for the labor industry.
Healthcare:
“Too many Georgians can’t afford health care. The high cost is driven by the corrupt influence of the insurance and drug industries in Washington”-John Ossof
He has made the campaign promise to support Medicaid expansions, reduce price gouging, expand U.S. Public Health Service, and add nonprofit options to the ACA.
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
David Perdue is the Incumbent Senator
An affluent businessman who has been the CEO of several companies including Reebok and Dollar General
His cousin is currently the Secretary of Agriculture (Sonny Perdue)
AFL-CIO Scorecard rates him at a lifetime score of 11%
John Ossof:
secured the primary nomination with 52% of the vote.
AFL-CIO has formally endorsed Ossof
“Jon supports an economy that works for all Georgians, not just the wealthiest, by restoring the minimum wage to a living wage, pay equity for women and people of color, restoring overtime protections, and supporting workers ability to come together to bargain for better wages and benefits to help create a more just, prosperous and equitable society”- Charlie Flemming Georgia AFL-CIO President
Other Information:
John is a small business owner that investigates and exposes organized crime, corruption, and war crimes.
He worked as a national security aide for Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson.
John Hickenlooper
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Colorado
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“Unions built America’s middle class, and they will be critical in building our economy as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Currently only 37% of young people in the United States complete a four-year degree. Apprenticeships offer an attractive bridge or alternative to postsecondary education.”
Social Security and Medicare:
Hickenlooper believes in a stable retirement for all and “We can do this by protecting Social Security and Medicare, as well as by proactively bolstering these programs so that they remain solvent for years to come. We must cut the cost of prescription drugs by increasing transparency and accountability for drug pricing and allowing the safe importation of life saving Medications from Mexico and Canada- policies that will help lower Medicare expenses and bring down Health-care costs overall.”
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
Cory Gardener is the Incumbent
Has been in office since 2015
Narrowly won election in 2014 for U.S. Senate seat
Republican
Cory Gardner
48.2%
983,891
Democratic
Mark Udall
Incumbent
46.3%
944,203
John Hickenlooper:
Hickenlooper won the primary with 58.7% of the vote
AFL-CIO has endorsed Hickenlooper
“We have been impressed by the hard work exhibited by Johns campaign”-Dennis Dougherty, Executive Director of the Colorado AFL-CIO
Other Information:
He was the Governor of Colorado from 2011-2019
Left office on Jan. 1, 2019
Prevented by term limits from seeking re-election in 2018
Jeanne Shaheen
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for New Hampshire
2 Wall Street, Suite 220
Manchester, NH 03101
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“My priority in the Senate has always been to make a difference for New Hampshire families by strengthening our economy and creating jobs and resources that support these Granite Staters. I am proud to stand with New Hampshire’s workers every day, and I will continue to work across the aisle to increase the minimum wage and provide resources for job training programs that strengthen our workforce.”
She will strive to support labor in every way she can as a Senator
Legislation beneficial to labor she has cosponsored:
Paycheck Fairness Act
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
Healthcare/Retirement:
Shaheen was a strong ally of the Affordable Care Act when it was first introduced and believes in maintaining long term solvency of Social Security and Medicare
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
Bryant Messner
West Point Graduate
Messner Created his own law firm (Messner Reeves LLP)
First time running for public office
Jeanne Shaheen:
Shaheen is the Incumbent Senator and has been a U.S. Senator since 2009
Shaheen was endorsed by the New Hampshire AFL-CIO
She currently holds an 18-point lead over Messner
Other Information:
AFL-CIO Scorecard rates him at a lifetime score of 92%
Prior to her tenure in the Senate she was New Hampshire’s Governor from 1997-2003
First woman to be elected Governor and Senator
Jaime Harrison
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for South Carolina
P.O. Box 1767
Columbia, SC 29202
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“Too many South Carolinians are in financial desperation and the middle class feels completely out of reach. America was built on jobs that pay a living wage to support a family and benefits that keep them healthy.”
Harrison believes that expanding tax benefits to incorporate childcare tax credit to support middle class families
When he is elected, he will strive to create and build good paying jobs for hard working citizens
Healthcare:
“Harrison estimates that roughly 250,000 South Carolinians don’t have healthcare, in part because, he says, Graham chose to reject Medicaid expansion under ObamaCare”
Under the leadership of Harrison, he will protect peoples with pre-existing conditions, lower prescription drug costs and stop the closures of rural hospitals
Retirement:
Harrison has been outspoken about opposing any movements to privatize Social Security and Medicare
Infrastructure:
“Failure to invest in infrastructure harms our quality of life and raises the cost of doing business.”
Harrison ensures under his administration he will provide an influx of relief to the infrastructure grid of South Carolina and the U.S. as a whole
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
Lindsey Graham Incumbent Senator
Has been in office since 2003
Prior to his election to Senate he was a lawyer for a private practice and served in the Air Force
Jaime Harrison:
His Democratic primary was canceled
Started to startle Lindsey Graham’s campaign with his grassroots fundraising
Has raised over a million dollars in 24 hours
Other Information:
Prior to his Senatorial bid he was a lobbyist for the Podesta Group
He once ran for the Democratic National Committee chairperson but later backed out and supported Tom Perez
Later he was appointed associate chairman of the DNC
Gary Peters
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Michigan
P.O. Box 32072
Detroit, MI 48232
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“I grew up in a union household, my father was a public-school teacher and my mom was a union steward, and my parents instilled in me the importance of hard work, determination and integrity, those are the values I’ve carried with me every day fighting for Michigan in the U.S. Senate.”
He is a great ally to organized labor
He wrote and passed a bill that expands apprenticeship opportunities for our veterans (S. 760 Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act of 2019)
Healthcare/Retirement:
Gary recently fought against a Republican effort to cut Medicare and end the guaranteed benefits for seniors
He believes social security is a sacred promise that helps keep many seniors out of poverty
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
John James
Served 8 years in the Army as a Ranger-Qualified Aviation Officer
James challenged Michigan incumbent senator Debbie Stabenow in 2018 and lost by a 6 percentage points
Gary Peters:
He is the Incumbent Senator
is considered the favored candidate with a lead of 5 percentage points.
Peters was endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO and several other labor organizations
Other Information:
AFL-CIO Scorecard rates him at a lifetime score of 96%
“Gary Peters understands the importance of labor and resiliency of working people, and as our senator has always been a leader in fighting to create better paying jobs, boost manufacturing and expand apprenticeship opportunities throughout Michigan”- Ron Bieber, Michigan AFL-CIO President
Gary Peters was a previous member of the U.S House of Representatives but decided to run for the Senate seat that was being vacated in 2014
He has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 2015
Doug Jones
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Alabama
4500 5
th
Ave. S, Building L
Birmingham, AL 35222
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
“I will tell you, folks, we need to make sure you someone in the United States Senate that’s got your back, not the president’s back, not the Republican Party, not the Democratic Party, but someone that’s got your back”
Jones said this quote at the Alabama AFL-CIO 32
nd
Biennial Convention
He has supported many Pro-labor bills including employment and pensions relief (Butch-Lewis Act)
Healthcare:
Doug believes in expanding Medicaid and protecting the Affordable Care Act
Retirement:
“If Congress can bail out Wall Street, if Congress can bail out farmers who don’t even want bailouts — they just have to take them because of the trade policies and the retaliatory tariffs that China’s been putting on – if they can take these bailouts, we can damn sure make sure our pension funds are secure”
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
Tommy Tuberville
Tuberville was a head coach for several college football teams from 1995-2016 (Auburn University and University of Cincinnati)
Tuberville beat Jess Sessions in the Republican Primary: 60.7 to 39.3
Tuberville is currently favored in this election
Doug Jones:
Incumbent Senator
He won the special election in 2017 when Jeff Sessions left to become Attorney General
Disapproved of the confirmation of U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia
Alabama AFL-CIO has endorsed him
Other Information:
AFL-CIO Scorecard rates him at a lifetime score of 95%
Joe Biden endorsed him
Honored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce three times in 2020 for his bi-partisan voting record
Barbara Bollier
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for Kansas
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
AFL-CIO scored her as a 71% on her stance towards labor
Great Rating considering she was still a Republican at the time
Voted in favor of SB 55, which would restore prevailing wage to a Kansas County
Social Security and Medicare:
Bollier believes in protecting Medicare and ensuring its fully funded into the future, lowering prescription drug prices for seniors, and allowing the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies, and defending Social Security from any cuts
Critical Election Information:
Main Competitor:
Roger Marshall
Background is mainly made up of practicing medicine as an OB/GYN and as a board member of Great Bend Regional Hospital
He is a U.S. House Representative from Kansas District 1)
Voted Nay on both articles of impeachment for Trump
Barbara Bollier:
She is the Incumbent Senator
Dominated her primary with 85% of the vote
She has been considered by the Republican party as a “sensible centrist” and a leading “moderate voice”
Other Information:
Left the GOP to join the Democratic Party in 2018
Mainly due to Anti-Transgender Platform of the Republican Party
And Blocking of expansion of Medicaid
Endorsed several Democrats before her switch to the party
GOP retaliated against her and removed her from leadership roles
Former Anesthesiologist
Cal Cunningham
Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate for North Carolina
P.O. Box 309
Raleigh, NC 27602
Website
Important Political Stances:
Labor:
Cunningham supports many pro-labor bills including:
The Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act)
This act will strengthen workers rights to collectively bargain and join unions easier
Cunningham will fight for any pro-labor bill and will always look out for organized labor
Healthcare:
Cunningham believes that there are problems with the current Healthcare system in America and wants to fix them
He wants to strengthen the Affordable Care Act needs to be strengthened
He wants to expand Medicaid to incorporate a public insurance option
Critical Election Information:
Political Competitor:
Thom Tillis Incumbent Senator
Secured his primary with 78 percent of the vote
Joined the U.S. Senate in 2015
Stands with McConnell and refuses to look at the PRO Act and will not look at any House proposed bills
Voted for Eugene Scalia for Labor Secretary
Cal Cunningham:
He dominated his primary by 22 percentage points
Cunningham was endorsed by the North Carolina AFL-CIO and many more unions
He was a former North Carolina State Senator
Currently favored to win with a 6-point lead
Other Information:
Before his Senatorial race Cunningham was part of a legal team that fought for workers and exposed hazards on job sites
While he worked as a State House Representative, he fought for higher pay for teachers