AFSCME Activists Nationwide Support Wisconsin Public Service Workers, Teachers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscme.org/publications/34286.cfm

March 8, 2011


SAVE THE AMERICAN DREAM – Melinda Pearson of AFSCME Local 4001 (Minnesota Council 5) braves the cold to show her solidarity with Wisconsin state workers and teachers in their battle to retain their collective bargaining rights.

Photo Credit: Michael Kuchta


By the tens of thousands, activists from AFSCME and other unions, and supporters of workers’ rights, rallied at state capitols and cities in all 50 states on Feb. 26 to demonstrate their support for collective bargaining rights.

An estimated 50,000 people rallied nationwide to show their solidarity with Wisconsin state public service workers and teachers who are fighting to retain their right to collective bargaining. Another 40,000 followed the rallies online, reported MoveOn.org, a progressive advocacy group that organized the Saturday rallies in just four days.

The rallies, called the “Mobilization to Save the American Dream,” followed a vote the day before by the Wisconsin state Assembly. Lawmakers approved Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to strip most collective bargaining rights from most public employees and teachers. Firefighters and police officers would be exempted. The state Senate has not been able to vote on the bill after 14 courageous Democratic senators left the state in protest Walker’s union-busting scheme.

Here is a brief review of just some of the rallies where AFSCME activists made their voices heard.

FULL story at link.