No union bug, no chance to print

Why do our local candidates insist on a union bug on any printing for their electoral campaigns? We would like to take the candidates at their word that they support local businesses, yet we are faced with an alternative fact.

If you are unable to provide a union bug on a candidate’s printed material, you cannot print the job in Santa Fe.

Why is printing the only local industry singled out for union status? Do our candidates ask the union status of the restaurants where they dine? Do our local candidates ask the union status of the “watering holes” where they imbibe? Do our local candidates ask the union status of the hotels where they stay? Do they ask the union status of the places they purchase cars, appliances, furniture or art? Why are they concerned about the union status of a group of small local printers? Why are local printers singled out?

Let’s talk about the value of supporting local print businesses. Printers that really print in Santa Fe employ highly skilled personnel who make much better than the $11.40 minimum wage. These employees are graphic designers who can take a customer’s ideas and transform them into things of beauty.

They are commercial printers who pay attention to details in printing a job. They evaluate the color in the piece, check column measurements for folding and notice typos. The bindery folks should not be overlooked. They make sure your job is cut and folded properly. They quality-check the job to be certain you receive the best printing job possible. In short, the print crews are professionals who have spent a long time honing their skills. Printing companies in Santa Fe have invested in state-of-the-art equipment to allow these skilled tradespeople the opportunity to print jobs of excellent quality.

Continuing our reasons for printing locally, let’s remember that Santa Fe printing company employees pay taxes on the goods and services they produce in Santa Fe. Because of the compensation they receive, workers are able to purchase homes, educate their children, provide for the wellbeing of their families and volunteer in the community. The printing companies themselves pay gross receipts taxes, which help support the city of Santa Fe’s efforts to hire the mayor and city personnel. Does this happen the same way when our candidates are purchasing on the internet or out of town?

Many candidates list firms in Albuquerque as their union printer. Some of these candidates are willing to brag about our new Santa Fe “living wage” of $11.40 per hour. Can you have it both ways? Shop in Albuquerque for your brochures, postcards and signs, and brag about our “living wage” in Santa Fe? The minimum wage in Albuquerque is $8.95, while Santa Fe’s wage is over 25 percent higher. Why are we supporting this lower Albuquerque wage?

Let’s talk about the last election and union bugs. One candidate’s mailing piece portrayed a typographical union bug. The International Typographical Union was dissolved Dec. 31, 1986. It has since become the Communications Workers of America. This same piece said it was printed in Santa Fe. Perhaps it was, but as with the typographical union bug, things are not always as they appear.

Let’s talk a little about the new political way that sign printing is done. In the past, the candidates would list where the signs were printed. Most times, internet companies printed them. Now there is no mention of where signs are printed. Instead you will notice that a sign liaison appears on political signs. This sign liaison is a person’s title. The sign liaison allows the candidates to eliminate the requirement of including where signs are printed.

We would like to invite the new mayor and city councilors to visit the printing facilities in Santa Fe. Look at the shops and the investment in personnel and equipment. Then, talk to our employees about the work they do and the feeling they have about their jobs.