Labor & Employment Law

Attacks on Workers in States Have Energized Working People

By James Parks

The attacks on public employees has energized working people across the country, motivating them and helping them to believe they are going to win their struggle to keep bargaining rights in states like Wisconsin, Ohio and  Indiana, says Katie Kistner, vice president of AFSCME Council 40 in Wisconsin.  

Kistner was one of three workers to address the AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting in Washington, D.C. today.  

All the workers said the attacks also have helped unify working people. Pete Rimsans, executive director of the Indiana State Building and Construction Trades Council, said a  proposed a new law in the Hoosier State, which supporters misleadingly call ?right to work,?  brought working people together. Even though those who work in the building trades would be exempt from the proposed law, Rimsans says, everybody strongly opposed the plan. 

What the Republicans don?t understand is that we?re all in the same boat. You take one of us down, you take all of us. This unified everyone.

After thousands demonstrated in the state capitol and worker-friendly lawmakers boycotted Senate proceedings, backers pulled the proposal.

Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, said Gov. Scott Walker is not listening to the people. He?s listening to the Big Bucks CEOs who contributed generously to the campaigns of the governors and state legislators.

But Mitchell added the working people will prevail because ?we are on the right side of justice.?

Kistner said she had hope because of a 35-year member in her union, a woman who refused to sign a postcard against Walker?s plan taking away bargaining rights for public employees for fear her name would be recognized and she?d lose her job. But just four days later, after the scope of Walker?s plan was revealed, she said the woman is now one of the most enthusiastic demonstrators and supporters.

Rimsans said he hopes more people will take a look at what?s happening in these states and he had a warning for all working people:

Watch your back. This [an attack on workers] is coming to a place near you.   

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on March 01, 2011 (boomark / email).