New Western New York Working Families Party Chapter Chairman Jim Lakeman Keeps UAW Tradition Alive/Looks To Expand WFP Presence Across The Southern Tier
Pictured Above: New Western New York Working Families Party Chapter Chairman Jim Lakeman discusses his plans to expand the presence of the WFP across the Southern Tier during a recent interview with WNYLaborToday.com. Lakeman also tells Your Regional, On-Line Labor Newspaper he plans to emphasize the fact the WFP’s agenda “is about the social movement and not just about Organized Labor’s agenda.” (WNYLaborToday.com Photo)
(BUFFALO) - New Western New York Working Families Party (WFP) Chapter Chairman Jim Lakeman - who also serves as president of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 846 at American Axle - proudly continues the UAW tradition of heading the WFP’s local chapter, which was previously chaired by UAW Region 9 CAP (Community Action Program) Directors James Duncan and Sam Williams.
“I was very close with Sam,” said the 38-year-old Lakeman of Williams, who recently resigned his post after being appointed earlier this year to fill an open seat and a seven-year term on the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. “He took me under his wing and showed me what was going on. One thing about Sam, when he asked you to do something, he was right there alongside you – including handing out fliers in the rain.”
Lakeman, who has served as vice chair on UAW Region 9’s CAP Committee, got a chance to learn how the WFP worked - going back to its initial roots and creation, which in part was brought about by the UAW’s Duncan, whom Williams had succeeded locally.
“I was approached and asked if I was interested (about succeeding Williams),” said Lakeman, who is currently in his 18th year at American Axle. “The support system (to have the time to do the work that is called for) is there at the UAW, and after discussing it with my wife, I said I was interested. I’ve been on the WFP’s Steering Committee for the past eight years and I received unanimous support (to succeed Williams).”
Now that he’s aboard and has had a couple of months to get a handle on overseeing the Western New York WFP Chapter, Lakeman said one of his goals is to “expand the presence of the party,” especially across the Southern Tier.
“The WFP covers eight local counties here in Western New York and we need to get our message out. I’d like to extend our presence across the Southern Tier, because this is not just a social movement we’re involved in and it’s just not Labor’s agenda. We have an opportunity to move up the (political) line and pass the Conservative Party (on the ballot lineup) with just a couple of more thousand votes,” Lakeman said.
“(The Working Families Party has) a great relationship with community groups such as the Coalition for Economic Development and Community Action Organization,” Lakeman continued. “Sometimes we (Organized Labor) get labeled as ‘Union Bosses,’ but it’s Unions that – for example – who were out there fighting for an increase in the minimum wage, something that did not impact our Union membership.”
Speaking of those who support the Tea Party, Lakeman agrees that “they are mad” and passionate about bringing about change, but believes “they don’t know what they’re mad about.”
“They needed an outlet to speak, but there’s a real lack of direction and leadership within the Tea Party. For example, the racist comments attributed to the party’s members would not be allowed by the Working Families Party or Organized Labor,” Lakeman said.
Lakeman, meanwhile, said there’s also a great need to encourage more young Union Members to get involved in not only the Labor Movement, but the political process. “We’ve got to tap into young people who are now just getting a start in the movement,” he said.
Impressed by now-retired UAW Regional Director Tom Fricano’s run for the U.S. Congress back in the mid-90s, Lakeman began to get involved in the UAW’s CAP Program after winning his first election to UAW office during the same time element.
At that same time, he also worked with former WFP Chapter Chairman Duncan, who played an important role in the creation of the WFP in 1999.
“There was a lot of political action going on and that’s when I also met Sam Williams. We became close and it turned out to be quite an educational process. He took me under his wing and showed me the way things got done,” Lakeman said.
Editor’s Note: The Western New York Chapter of the statewide Working Families Party (WFP) has announced its 2010 Political Endorsements:
U.S. Congress
27th District – Brian Higgins
28th District – Louise Slaughter
New York State Senate
58th District – William Stachowski
59th District – Cynthia Appleton
60th District – Antoine Thompson
62nd District – George Maziarz
New York State Assembly
138th District – Francine DelMonte
141st District – Crystal Peoples-Stokes
143rd District – Dennis Gabryszak
144th District – Sam Hoyt
145th District – Mark Schroeder
146th District – Brad Rybczynski
Erie County
County Clerk – Kathy Hochul
County Judge – Ken Case
Niagara County
Treasurer – Kyle Andrews
Town Justices
Boston – Mike Metzger
Cheektowaga – James Vallone
West Seneca – Jeff Harrington
City/Town Races
City of North Tonawanda Treasurer – Greg Schnitzer
Town of Alden Clerk – Sean Nowicki
Town of Lancaster Council – Mark Aquino
