Non-presidential election years are always tough, there is less interest and less participation. But for workers, the stakes are just as high as electing someone to sit in the Oval Office. This year, we elect a third of the Senate and the entire House. Plus, we set the stage for the next presidential election, where no one will have the advantage through incumbency. And, that doesn't even begin to address the numerous state races in legislatures and state houses.

Maintenance of way workers know, or should know, how intricately their lives are tied to the forces of government. Last year served as a prime example as we struggled to get effective track protections added to safety regulations, win adequate funding for Amtrak and head off yet another potential congressional intervention in our collective bargaining process.

The issues extend beyond our particular interest, however. We are talking about our right to form and belong to a union, our country's economic direction and trade policies, whether we have a secure retirement and affordable health care, workers' right to overtime pay and the strength of safety and health laws.

Over the last two years, America's working families have shown that they can make a difference in changing the decisions of "big government." We beat back big business on the turf--Congress--that it has owned for a long time, but we still have a long way to go. Pro-worker legislators are the minority in Congress. In the U.S. Senate, a gain of just five seats would create a filibuster-proof margin, destroying our friends' most potent tool to stop the big business steamroller. Conversely, anti-worker candidates could gain a veto-proof margin that would allow them to pass a law even when the President says no!

Labor's advantage lies in the number of people--i.e., votes--it can turn out, but business still has the upper hand when it comes to money, power and influence, with the first ensuring the latter two. Still, business is worried about our strength. Now, our ability to act collectively to advance workers issues in the political arena is under attack. Ballot initiatives to limit the involvement of union members in national issues are being pushed in up to a dozen states. These rights also are under attack in Congress.

Big business is so afraid of labor's grassroots strength that it wants to disenfranchise workers--keep them out of the voting booth--by stopping the information they get from their unions. Across the country, corporations are initiating proposals to severely limit BMWE's and other unions' ability to educate workers on political interests and register voters.

They want to take away your ability to participate fully in the political process. They want to silence the voice of America's working families.

Whatever our struggles and efforts were before, they will seem easy against the opposition we face this year. That challenge should serve as an inspiration, however, not as a deterrent. Our goals in the BMWE: we need more members registered, more members voting, more members active and more members contributing to the Maintenance of Way Political League.

Do not forget, however, that the ultimate reward is worth the time and effort. That reward is a secure future for ourselves and our families. You are now forewarned. You will soon, if not already, be called upon to serve in the political war we are entering. I expect everyone to answer that call. If you do, we will be guaranteed victory in November.