"The dominance in all of Southern Colorado by the pro-business and anti-union Pueblo Chieftain newspaper continues to allow it to spew propaganda that affects our members and their families. But now, we have an opportunity to stand up and be heard in a big way with a 'Union Yes' bus."

Earlier this year the Pueblo Area Labor Council of the AFL-CIO unanimously endorsed the "adoption" of one of three available city buses. The plan is to colorfully paint the bus around the theme "Pueblo Works Best When We Say Union Yes."

The cost of the bus project is approximately $40,000 for one year. By late October, almost half the money had been raised. The BMWE contributed $500 in June. Contributions can be sent to (and should be payable to) the "Union Yes Committee," c/o Michael E. Thomas, 2204 Norman Lane, Pueblo, Colorado 81005-3358.

"While some may write this off as mere symbolism," says Thomas, "symbols often rally people to do great things. The Chinese student facing down the tank in Tienamen Square or the flag raising on Iwo Jima are examples. We can hope for at least a small fraction of those symbols' success."