I grew up in Northern Iowa on the Minnesota border in Spirit Lake in the region referred to as Siouxland. Most of the good jobs in those days were in the packing houses where the main union was the United Packinghouse Workers of America. It was a strong union with a militant shop steward culture and structure. My first union job was in Madison, Wisconsin and paid $1.875 per hour when the minimum wage was about $1.20. In those days 1 out of every 3 private sector employees was in a Union . Today the ratio is about 1 out of 20! The Union and economic illiteracy of workers today is a tragic disaster. KPFK and Pacifica can help educate the public on the issues of Union and economic literacy. We have to educate folks about unions and the economic safety net that has been established in our system through mass struggle, and about strong and effective political action (Wagner Act, New Deal and New Frontier legislation as well as Civil Rights and environmental laws). Unfortunately, corporate media (manufactured consent) helped lead to many bad laws that helped big corporations deindustrialize, deregulate, and deunionize our system (NAFTA, trucking and airlines,banking and securities).Knowledge is Power! KPFK and Pacifica can, with the right leadership, play a transformational if not revolutionary role in the change we need! Union-owned radio station WCFL helped shape my consciousness and that of many other Midwesterners. Power To The 99%! PEACE .

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station's mission?
I joined The Teamsters in NYC in 1965 as a clerk. I worked as a dockman, truckdriver, organizer, union business representative, labor/political activist over the last 56 years, 30 in SoCal. Most recently, I was employed as a package handler at UPS. I am a good listener and believe I could be very effective on the board.


2. What do you appreciate and value in the station's current operations?
The diversity, heart and soul,and music. Also the desire to provide a voice for the voiceless. Nonprofit and commercial-free too!


3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station's current operations?
Coverage of the Labor Movement and communities. Programs and activities to help people get Union jobs, more education, and affordable housing. Use communication to promote individual and collective direct action to achieve more socio-economic justice and redistribution of knowledge, wealth, and power.


4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
Push listeners to support the station financially. Ask rank-and -file union members to step up,pay dues,and not free ride(it's a form of scabbing!). Recruit more Labor and Community organizations to build and use KPFK as an informational and power building tool.


5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station's financial footing?
One-on-one solicitation of funding from

1. politicians,
2. community and business leaders,
3. cultural and entertainment figures, and
4. isteners.


6. Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?
   
If you believe in The Labor Movement and the necessity of Direct Action through communication and education, please consider voting for me.

Thank You, Patrick D.Kelly