Nov 7, 2016
Dear Congressman Rothfus: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
One year ago today, I participated in a solidarity picket line tour in support of the locked out ATI workers. Members of the organization Fight Back Pittsburgh organized the tour to lift the spirits of locked out workers and show them that we had their backs. We visited five picket lines across Western Pennsylvania that day in Brackenridge, Natrona Heights, Vandergrift, Latrobe, and Washington.
When hundreds of workers who were illegally locked out from their jobs turned to their Congressman for help, they got the door slammed in their faces. Congressman Keith Rothfus said it wasn’t a federal issue and refused to do anything to help them. Steelworkers were shocked that their Congressman didn’t know the difference between a strike and a lockout and that he didn’t care to understand what they were going through. While the ATI workers walked the picket line in the rain, snow, and sleet over the holidays, Congressman Rothfus sat in his warm office in DC earning the distinction of being one of the least effective members of Congress.
You know who acted? You know who understood that this was a serious constituent issue? Erin McClelland. She walked those picket lines a number of times, she spoke at rallies, and she did everything she could to help. The first time I heard of Erin McClelland was when I saw a video of a rousing rally speech she gave in August 2015. I could immediately tell that Erin got it. She understood that when hundreds of workers are locked out it affects the whole community. She spoke passionately about how business at the local pizza place went down 40% after only seven days of the lockout.
The ATI lockout wasn’t the first or the last time that my Congressman’s action (or lack of action) proved how he really feels about the working families in his district.
He said he cares about our kids’ education. But he voted against the Every Students Succeed Act.
He said he wants to address the opioid crisis. But he voted numerous times to defund Obamacare.
He has said he respects women. But he voted against the Violence Against Women Act and he declined to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act.
He finally condemned Donald Trump bragging about sexually assaulting women. But the very next day, he snuck past the cameras outside to speak at the Trump rally at the Ambridge Area High School. And he has continued to stump for a Republican ticket that disrespects women and minorities.
I don’t want a Congressman who speaks constantly about a “better way,” but then does nothing to make anything better for the working families in his district. I want a Congresswoman who will act to protect her constituents.
Tomorrow, I will proudly and enthusiastically push the button to vote for Erin McClelland for Congress (12th District).
[Author Note: It is not too late to help Erin. Visit www.Erin4PA.com to make a donation or volunteer at the polls on Election Day.]
