IUPAT back Bakk
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82 is backing Democrat Tom Bakk for governor. Here's the release:
Sen. Tom Bakk has been endorsed for governor by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82. The 4,000-member union represents painters, drywall finishers, glaziers and glassworkers, sign, and display screen process and trade shows.
Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Terry Nelson said no one understands the construction industry better than Bakk.
"This election is about jobs and we believe that as governor, Tom is going to help us put people back to work," Nelson said.
Bakk appreciates the union's support and said he understands what its members are facing in this difficult economy.
"This winter more than 50 percent of trades people in Minnesota were without a job," Bakk said. "As a retired carpenter, I've been in that position and know the stress those families are facing. The state needs a bold, experienced leader like me who will create jobs."
Bakk said the next governor must get people back to work not only for their family security, but also to help address the state's serious financial challenges.
"We won't have the resources necessary to invest in areas that will provide Minnesota long-term prosperity, such as education and health care, until people get back to work," Bakk said. "On Jan. 9 a record number of Minnesotans - 240,398 - received an unemployment check. This is unacceptable. As governor, I will spur our construction economy, incent local banks to lend, and go anywhere, any time, to create jobs."
In addition to the painters, Bakk has been endorsed by the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents 50,000 construction members across the state, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters and the Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council.
"As a union member for more than 30 years, the support of my brothers and sisters is very important to me," Bakk said, "and I am working with them to get the message out about how I will use my experience to get Minnesota on the road to economic recovery."
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