ONLINE VERSION	VOLUME 106 - NUMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 1997

Union Label Week on the Wheel of Fortune

It was a Union Label Week like none other. Officially titled the Wheel of Fortune Salute to America's Working Families," the union label, union-made products and services and union members and their families were front and center on the most popular TV game show in America for the entire broadcast week that began on Labor Day. Taped at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus on Aug. 1, each of the 12 two-person contestant teams included at least one union member (the others were members of the unionists' families), and all the major prizes--prices totaled more than $280,000--were union made in the U.S. and were identified as such on the show. The labels/logos of the unions involved were displayed with the prizes. In addition, thousands of union members--many with identifying T-shirts and signs--were in the audience, and the AFL-CIO seal was displayed in the center of the stage's floor. "Americans are working harder and smarter than ever before," said Harry Friedman, Wheel of Fortune's producer. "We think a salute to workers, their unions and the products and services they provide our society is a fitting tribute to offer." AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who was introduced by the show's stars, Pat Sajak and Vanna White, at the first program's conclusion, agreed. "American workers have made personal sacrifices and investments to improve the products and services they produce. They're the most productive and efficient workers in the world. They deserve the highest possible respect for their major contributions that make our country the economic power that it is," Sweeney said., The major prizes assembled for the Labor Day-week shows that were not won then will be offered for other contestants on other weeks' shows. Each time they are, they will be identified as union made in the U.S. From the Labor Letter - September/October 1997.