Traditional Democratic supporters pledge to work together

Greenleaf Christian Church drew a larger crowd than usual Sunday when national labor leaders made a pit stop there, part of a push to register voters in advance of the November elections.

Posted 9:01 a.m. Sep 2, 2012 — Updated 11:36 p.m. Sep 2, 2012

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Greenleaf Christian Church drew a larger crowd than usual Sunday when national labor leaders made a pit stop there, part of a push to register voters in advance of the November elections.

The presidents of unions representing teachers and health care workers stopped in Goldsboro to meet with Rev. William J. Barber, president of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, and to preach a message of voter registration and turnout on the eve of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.

Barber's success with the Historic Thousands on Jones Street movement drew the attention of the national groups. HKonJ brings together groups interested in voting rights, equitable education, tax policy and ending the death penalty among other issues.

"The vision and the things we believe in are so common, let's figure out how to break down the barriers," said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers.

"We are starting to recognize that we have much greater strength when we work together," said George Gresham, president of the 1199 SEIU health care workers union in New York City.

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