|
 August 31, 2003 - The annual Labor Day Picnic, hosted by the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation, had a sense of urgency
this year with continuing news of permanent outsourcing of work in the State of Kansas.
The Federation, along with the Machinists Union and SPEEA, kicked off the 'Grow Kansas' campaign, to build public and political support to find ways to stem the tide of outsourcing that threatens to destroy
our aerospace and manufacturing industries in Kansas.
"Our members understand how important Grow Kansas is to o ur state," said Grow Kansas Coordinator James 'Rody' Rodehorst. "We are losing jobs to other
countries that will never return to Kansas. The aviation industry was built from nothing in Kansas. It should stay here."
Rain may have made travel difficult, but it did nothing to diminish the crowd or their appetities. Richard Flaharty retired IAM member and
chief cook, reported that over 866 hot dogs were cooked.
|
|
|
Dave Robertson, Jim Sumner, and Richard Flaharty cooking
|
|
Extra tables had to be set up and it was staning room only for bingo.
"We need to mobilize our communities to fight the rampant outsourcing of our jobs - the future of our state. The Governor has endorsed our program, and last week
the County Commission issued a proclamation in support of Grow Kansas. We will push for legislation and corporate accountability. We will not let one more
job leave this state without a fight. That's what this is about. It's about jobs -jobs worth fighting for," said Rodeshorst.
J. J. Cheers, a United Teachers of Wichita members and vocal music i nstructor at Irving School, lead singing of labor songs.
On hand to endorse the Grow Kansas campaign were State Senator Paul Feliciano, State Representatives Dale
Swenson, Geraldine Flaherty, Jim Ward, and R. J. Wilson. Jim Garner, Secretary of Health and Human Resources, showed why he is properly called the
“Secretary of Labor.” For Garner’s annual “State of Labor” address, click here.
|
|
|
|
For larger view of elected officials photos, click photo.
For many more photos, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
unions.
