Georgia Boilermakers support Ossoff event

When politicians support the issues that benefit Boilermakers, Boilermakers support politicians. That’s why when Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, who is running for reelection, invited Carlos Brooks and Edwin Allen Jr. to attend a recent event in Macon, Georgia, they showed up.

“Senator Ossoff endorses the working class, he’s pro labor and he supports the PRO Act,” said Carlos Brooks, Director of Organizing - North America. “I told him I appreciate everything he’s doing for the labor movement and for working class people in the state of Georgia. I also told him to please continue when he’s reelected.”

For Allen, Southeast Organizer, M.O.R.E. Work Investment Fund, it was his first time publicly supporting a politician. He said he looks forward to the next opportunity.

“The message he sent was very powerful,” he said. “He’s for the working-class people.”

Brooks has been connected to the senator’s office through the Georgia AFL-CIO for a while and attends Ossoff’s events and speaking engagements when he is able. The recent event was for local Georgia leaders and media. Brooks encourages other Boilermakers to get involved locally and at the statewide level in political matters.

 “It’s important, because you want to make your voice heard for your local lodge,” he said. “But you also need be seen in your community—at outreach events and standing up in your community—not just at work—and standing with your local politicians and what you believe in.

“When there’s someone good supporting labor and our jobs, we should be supporting them.”

To that end, Brooks and Allen presented Ossoff with a $5,000 reelection campaign contribution on behalf of the Boilermakers union during a photo op at the event.

“He’s made it his business to support us in organizing, and he believes every person has the right to organize,” said Allen.