Labor & Employment Law

Retirees to Wisconsin: Thank You for Inspiring Us

By admin

Barbara J. Easterling is president of the Alliance for Retired Americans. She was previously the secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America. For more information, visit www.retiredamericans.org.

Speaking today in Madison, Wis., Alliance for Retired Americans President Barbara J. Easterling praised the courage of Wisconsin activists:

I came to Madison today for one reason: to say thank you.  Thank you for inspiring us.  People of all ages?around the country and around the world?were reminded of why we do what we do, why we fight these fights.

Easterling encouraged union retirees to continue to speak out for today?s workers, who she said are tomorrow?s retirees:

Retirees are in a unique position to defend collective bargaining.  Ask any union retiree, and they will tell you how a union contract helped them retire with economic security and peace of mind. 

Addressing the biennial convention of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, Easterling linked the battles in our state capitals with the threats facing seniors across the country:

Just as we cannot trust Gov. Walker with our rights at work, we cannot trust Wall Street with our Social Security, nor can we trust the big insurance companies with our Medicare.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on March 21, 2011 (boomark / email).