OPINION: Murkowski is a champion for workers and our economy

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) have a history of not necessarily agreeing on much.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization. Our members range from small businesses to some of the largest businesses in the world. We advocate for policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy. We believe in the ability of American businesses to improve lives, solve problems, and strengthen society.

The Alaska AFL-CIO is the largest labor organization in Alaska. Our members represent 50,000 working people and more than 50 affiliated unions across the state. We advocate for policies that create good jobs, strengthen Social Security and private pensions, ensure fair tax policies and the strong advocacy for our working people. We believe in the ability of the working people’s voice to create safe and equitable workplaces, enhance economic justice and strengthen society.

Together, our memberships represent the largest congregations of businesses of all sizes and workforces of essentially all trades and careers across the state. Naturally, we frequently find ourselves on opposite sides of political issues working through our conflicts to find that compromise which serves both business and labor alike.

It’s pretty easy for both of us to say that there aren’t many issues or candidates that we fully agree on. The exception to this rule is Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

When it comes to labor interests, Sen. Murkowski has played a pivotal role in drafting, negotiating and enacting historic pieces of legislation that create thousands of jobs for Alaskans. She has been a steadfast and successful advocate for bringing billions of dollars to our state that ensures our labor force has a growing list of projects, opportunities and technical education. Lisa Murkowski has been a strong champion for labor in the U.S. Senate.

When it comes to business interests, Sen. Murkowski has an impressive record of leadership and delivering results for the businesses of Alaska and the country. She consistently breaks down barriers with members on both sides of the aisle to advance major pieces of legislation to champion policies to support a vibrant economy.

Whether you talk about business owners or laborers, Lisa Murkowski brings people from all ends of every spectrum together to do what is best for Alaska. She doesn’t seek out reasons why we can’t do something. No, she seeks out reasons why we should. When she finds the reason why there’s not any person or thing that can stand in her way.

In Alaska, there is a rare champion that holds up both the voices of the working people and the business owning people. Sen. Murkowski has a proven track record of breaking down the walls of partisanship to deliver real results for Alaska. She has proven to be a strong leader who has brought billions of dollars in investment to the state, while stopping trillions of dollars of government waste. She is a champion for our economy, our workers and Alaska.

On Nov. 8, keep this champion in office by voting Lisa Murkowski for U.S. Senate.

Joelle Hall is President of the Alaska AFL-CIO. Neil Bradley is Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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