2/25/2004

Kerry vows to protect jobs in Ohio

Jessica Alaimo
Daily Kent Stater

TOLEDO — Wherever Sen. John Kerry goes, a band of bright yellow shirts carrying bright yellow signs follows.

They represent members of the International Firefighter Union, which is one union among many that endorses Kerry in the 2004 presidential primaries.

“He’s going to support labor,” said John Gallog, Toledo firefighter and union member. “We need someone to stand up for the American worker.”

In his speech, Kerry spoke on “protecting America’s jobs” at the University of Toledo yesterday to a crowded auditorium of students and members of the community. He said he supports the middle-class American and the blue-collar worker. He accused President Bush of giving privileges to the wealthy.

U2’s “Beautiful Day” played in the background as Kerry walked out with Sen. John Glenn, grabbed his hand and raised it as they approached the podium.

Kerry took a seat as Leo Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers of Ohio, announced his support for Kerry. He said Bush is digging the economy into a deeper and deeper hole and described Kerry as “the guy that’s going to take his shovel away.”

Kent Firefighter Bob Dietrich said the firefighters at his station, who also are members of the International Firefighters Union, support Kerry in the election. After taking a serious look at all the candidates, Dietrich said Kerry is the best one in support of the economy and providing job security.

Although his job has never been threatened, Dietrich said he watched his family and friends lose their jobs as a result of manufacturing sectors leaving the area.

Kerry said jobs are disappearing because they are being sent overseas. If elected president, Kerry said he would control trade and the amount of jobs being sent overseas by requiring full disclosure.

“Companies will no longer be able to surprise their workers with a pink slip instead of a paycheck — they will be required to give workers three months notice if their jobs are being exported offshore,” Kerry said.

Kerry stressed the importance of ending tax cuts. Kerry said the country has lost 3 million jobs since Bush began tax cuts for the wealthy. Kerry plans to not only roll back these cuts and apply them to middle-class citizens but also invest in education, health care and job creation.

University of Toledo graduate students Nick Wasserman, who studies bioengineering, and Heather Eng, who studies pharmacology, both fund their education with loans. They back Kerry because he supports higher education. Both are in graduate school because the economy wasn’t strong enough for them to get jobs with a bachelor’s degree.

“There need to be more tax cuts for me, not people who can afford them (taxes),” Wasserman said.

Kerry plans to apply a tax credit on the first $4,000 of tuition for each year of college because many jobs now require a college degree or beyond.

After the rally, two groups of people waited outside by Kerry’s bus after the rally — one in support of Kerry, the other in support of Bush.

Jeremy Baker, University of Toledo senior economics major, said he supports Bush because of his ability to keep the country safe. He denies Kerry’s allegations, saying that the job losses began during the Clinton administration.

“He (Bush) empowers us to do more for ourselves,” Baker said.

David Mann, University of Toledo senior English and women’s studies major and the president of the college democrats, said there is an immediate need to get Bush out of office.

“If this president can’t provide jobs,” Mann said, “then he needs to lose his job.”

E-mail: jalaimo@kent.edu