President marks Labor Day at labor picnic in union country

NEVILLE ISLAND, Pa. -- President Bush, hoping to drive a wedge between Democrats and their big labor base, pledged Monday to fight recession and terrorism on behalf of American workers.

"Congress needs to get moving," Bush said during a Labor Day address, urging lawmakers to stop blocking his efforts.

He demanded action on his terrorism insurance, energy, retirement protection and tax-cutting policies, saying Americans are hurting more than economic indicators suggest.

"I know the statistics and all that business, but what I worry about is when I hear stories about people who can't find work," Bush said.

Since the 2000 campaign, the president and his advisers have tried to siphon money and votes from organized labor, the cornerstone of the Democratic Party's base.

Though he has not made huge gains overall, Bush has managed to cultivate relationships with two labor leaders: James P. Hoffa of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Douglas J. McCarron of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners.

Introducing Bush at a picnic outside a union hall, McCarron said he won't agree with the president on every issue, but that disagreements would be over principle, not personalities, "because I believe in the integrity of this man."

Trying to show empathy with the working man, Bush helped several carpenters-in-training practice building a house.