Unions Endorse Dertinger in PA-15

LABOR UNIONS BACK DERTINGER FOR CONGRESS:
Latest round of endorsements provide momentum
as campaign season hits the Lehigh Valley

Congressional candidate Charles Dertinger has secured endorsements
from three major unions over the past several weeks, providing him
with important support and increased visibility as the heart of the
2006 campaign season gets underway. The AFL-CIO, the Building &
Construction Trades Council, and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers (IBEW) all announced their support for Democratic
Nominee Dertinger in his bid to represent Pennsylvania's 15th
Congressional district.

Given the rich history of labor unions in the Lehigh Valley, Dertinger
values these latest endorsements and believes support from organized
labor is integral to his campaign.

"I'm honored by these endorsements, not only because I've been a proud
union member for almost 20 years, but also because of the pivotal role
that unions have played in shaping the Lehigh Valley," Dertinger said.
"Also, I know that most union members feel a real stake in the
political process and will work hard for candidates they believe in."

At a time when the public is turning its attention to the November
election, support for Dertinger from three major labor unions will
cast a bright light on the fact that incumbent Charlie Dent voted in
favor of the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in July
2005. The CAFTA legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives
by a single vote, after several months of aggressive lobbying by the
White House, the Republican House leadership and corporate interests.
Republican Dent accepted $90,000 in contributions from pro-CAFTA
industry PACs during the first three quarters of 2005.

"Like most in the Lehigh Valley, I was disappointed when our
Congressman voted on the side of the big-money interests. But the
CAFTA vote shows how beholden he has become to GOP party bosses in
Washington," said Dertinger. "I believe that voters in the Lehigh
Valley will understand that I will go to Congress and fight for
seniors and working Americans and that I won't bow to pressure from
the corporate lobby."