FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2004
July 23, 2004
Enid Doggett
(202) 639-6422 (o)
(202) 230-2757 (c)
Kurt Gallagher
(202) 639-6491 (o)
(202) 639-6422 (o)
(202) 230-2757 (c)
Kurt Gallagher
(202) 639-6491 (o)
AFGE Launches Nationwide Issue Ad Campaign
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nation's largest federal employee union, is launching a nationwide issue ad campaign. AFGE will run two different ads on radio stations in targeted media markets, starting July 26. The first ad touts a theme of good government and the impact the election is likely to have on government services. The second ad spotlights the impact contracting out has had on veterans' programs and services.
"It seems as though far too many Americans have forgotten that government defends our nation; secures our homeland; provides care for our veterans; ensures the safety of our food, air and water; keeps dangerous felons off the street; and serves the public in a myriad of other ways essential to keeping our society going." said AFGE national president John Gage.
The good government ad spotlights questionable policies as seen from the perspective of government employees within various agencies. Shortages, in terms of medical equipment and staff to care for veterans and personnel to secure our borders and airports, receive attention in the spot. The ad also addresses "giveaways" to corporate contractors, drug companies and HMOs as well as anticipated cuts to domestic programs in the 2006 budget.
The VA ad features statements from veterans and a VA nurse. It notes that VA staff has been cut and that contracting out forces veterans to travel further distances and to wait for longer periods of time for their care.
The text of both ads will be available on the AFGE web site (www.afge.org/Index.cfm?File=2004_07_26.htm) starting July 26.
AFGE national president John Gage will be available for interview from the Democratic National Convention and may be reached by contacting Enid Doggett at (202) 230-2757.
The American Federation of Government Employees is the largest federal employee union, representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.
"It seems as though far too many Americans have forgotten that government defends our nation; secures our homeland; provides care for our veterans; ensures the safety of our food, air and water; keeps dangerous felons off the street; and serves the public in a myriad of other ways essential to keeping our society going." said AFGE national president John Gage.
The good government ad spotlights questionable policies as seen from the perspective of government employees within various agencies. Shortages, in terms of medical equipment and staff to care for veterans and personnel to secure our borders and airports, receive attention in the spot. The ad also addresses "giveaways" to corporate contractors, drug companies and HMOs as well as anticipated cuts to domestic programs in the 2006 budget.
The VA ad features statements from veterans and a VA nurse. It notes that VA staff has been cut and that contracting out forces veterans to travel further distances and to wait for longer periods of time for their care.
The text of both ads will be available on the AFGE web site (www.afge.org/Index.cfm?File=2004_07_26.htm) starting July 26.
AFGE national president John Gage will be available for interview from the Democratic National Convention and may be reached by contacting Enid Doggett at (202) 230-2757.
The American Federation of Government Employees is the largest federal employee union, representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.
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For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center.
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