The members of USW Local 13-1 have been bargaining for a new contract with Rohm and Haas over the past several weeks.

“The company’s decision to lock its doors on these hard-working union members is reckless and irresponsible,” said Ruben Garza, director of the union’s District 13, which includes Texas and three neighboring states.

The union and the company had been operating under a 24-hour rolling extension of the current collective bargaining agreement while negotiations on a new contract continued. Dow Chemical Company informed the union last week that it would lock the workers out if they could not reach a deal by 2 p.m. April 22.

For the USW, a sticking point in the negotiations has been the issue of overtime and possible safety and fatigue concerns because of understaffing.

“The USW is committed to making sure that we have consistent and safe staffing levels,” Garza said. “These negotiations are about more than just money. We also must consider the safety and well-being of the workers and the entire community.”

#RohmAndHaasTexasInc #DeerParkTX #PoorPeoplesMovements #Labor #CollectiveBargaining #UnitedSteelworkersUSW #DowChemicalCompany

Coopersville, MI – Over 100 workers and community supporters rallied to oppose the firing of four local Michigan workers by Dahlgren Industrial. Dahlgren fired the workers in retaliation for organizing a union and raising their voices about safety concerns. The workers are also demanding that companies benefiting from Michigan tax dollars and tax breaks hire locally.

Out of 40 pipefitters and plumbers converting an old auto plant, 13 delivered a union organizing petition to the bosses and demanded recognition. Two were soon fired for handing out pro-union leaflets in the parking lot before work.

Next, local workers contacted the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to raise concerns about an unsafe work environment. OSHA appeared on April 23, and the next day Dahlgren management fired two more pro-union workers. This is the immediate effect of ‘Right to Work’ laws passed in the winter by Governor Rick Snyder and the Republican Party in Michigan.

One of the workers, Marco Wood, explained, “Dahlgren demanded I sign a safety violation form that was not accurate. When I said ‘no,’ they fired me.”

Fellow worker Steve Hoffman said, “A boss called me over and claimed I was working unsafe, so I said I want to talk to whoever wrote it up. They said I was fired at that point. As I was leaving they told me it was ‘because someone called OSHA.’”

The United Association (UA) Local 174 filed charges with the labor board to get the jobs of these workers back. It will take more than that to win this struggle with Dahlgren Industrial however. Dahlgren is backed by both Michigan’s new ‘Right to Work’ law and benefits from a corporate welfare package approved by Governor Snyder. This includes $900,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – using tax dollars to fund private big business projects. On top of this, there is tax money of $1.3 million for road improvements benefiting the company. The city of Coopersville also gave it a $127 million, 12-year tax abatement.

After firing local pro-union workers, Dahlgren brought in workers from across the U.S. Cars and trucks pulling out of the parking lot during the picket line had plates from Florida, Idaho and Ohio. These workers are making about half of the local standard wages and benefits. This contradicts what Governor Snyder said to Michigan taxpayers back on January 23. Speaking about tax dollars spent on private corporate projects like the one in Coopersville, Governor Snyder said, “Our reinvention of Michigan is all about more and better jobs for families and bright futures for our children.”

The big construction project in Coopersville is currently converting the old Delphi auto parts plant that was shut down in 2006. The Coopersville parts plant is widely known due to the writings of autoworker and UAW militant Gregg Shotwell and his Live Bait and Ammo newsletters. The new plant will produce “Core Power” – a milk-based drink promoted by Coca-Cola.

Standing under a cloudy west Michigan sky for two hours picketing the plant entrance, the crowd suddenly came alive at noon. A dramatic action took place when ten workers came out of the plant waving union signs. They proceeded towards a cheering crowd and held a union meeting right outside on the public sidewalk. The fired union activists greeted them with big smiles and handshakes. The UFCW, CWA and IBEW all showed their solidarity. Two Michigan State Representatives, Collene Lamonte of Muskegon and Brandon Dillon of Grand Rapids, showed their support. The bold action of these 10 pro-union workers will help other workers to stand up for the pay and dignity all workers deserve.

#CoopersvilleMI #workersRights #CollectiveBargaining #rightToWork #antiunionBusting #DahlgrenIndustrial

The FRS, which guarantees retirement for Florida's 623,000 public workers, was exclusively state-funded and required no outside contributions from employees. In light of the new Florida Supreme Court ruling in this case, Scott v. Williams, the FRS is now a contributory pension program. In the future, the state legislature can continue to cut workers' wages by legislating they pay more into the pension system.

“It's like changing the rules in the middle of the game,” said Jose Soto, Co-President of the Graduate Assistants United at the University of Florida. “The Florida Supreme Court seems to think that management can abrogate its contract and abandon its commitments to workers. This isn't the deal that public employees signed up for.”

Trade unions across Florida universally opposed this bill when it came forward in the 2011 legislative session. A wave of protests, organized by Fight Back Florida, Awake the State, and other activist organizations, confronted Governor Scott and the right-wing legislature for its attacks on workers.

The legislature passed the pension bill despite overwhelming public opposition. In response, several public employee trade unions filed a lawsuit against the Governor. In March 2012, Leon County Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford ruled that the bill was unconstitutional, which prompted the Governor to appeal the decision to the Florida Supreme Court.

Immediately after the Florida Supreme Court announced its decision, Florida Education Association President Andy Ford said, “Balancing the state budget on the backs of middle-class working families is the wrong approach for legislative leaders and the Governor to take. We’re disappointed that the State’s highest court said this approach was legal.”

During the 2012 election, the Florida AFL-CIO unions formally endorsed and supported the three Florida Supreme Court justices up for retention. One of these labor-endorsed justices, Barbara Pariente, turned into the tie-breaking fourth vote in favor of Governor Scott's pension bill.

“It's a slap in the face to every worker in Florida,” said Soto. “Labor worked to retain Pariente, and after everything, she sides with Rick Scott against workers.”

For many, this momentary defeat is a call to renewed activism and resistance to right-wing austerity measures. Soto said, “Even as many look to the 2014 gubernatorial elections in Florida as an opportunity to oust Rick Scott, the Florida Supreme Court's ruling shows us the limitations of the electoral system and the legal system in fighting for workers rights. We can only stop the attacks on working people by getting organized and fighting back in the streets and on the picket lines.”

#TallahasseeFL #CollectiveBargaining #FightBackFlorida #GovernorRickScott #wageCuts

Fond Du Lac, WI – Dozens of Wisconsin Occupy groups gathered here for a day of actions and discussions during the first state-wide General Assembly (GA) of Occupy Wisconsin. The assembly was held over the May 5 weekend in the occupied Veteran's Memorial Park. Two demonstrations were held to draw connections between the banks, police, jails and the military recruitment center in downtown Fond Du Lac. Protesters held a die-in in front of the military recruitment center, holding signs that demanded “No war on Iran,” and “U.S. out of Afghanistan.”

During the GA, Wisconsinites of all ages discussed the upcoming recall election of Governor Scott Walker, the May 20 mass march against NATO in Chicago and issues of home foreclosure, police brutality and attacks on Wisconsin's environment. Danielle Meyer from Occupy Milwaukee spoke to the assembly about the political repression which is facing both Occupy, and 23 anti-war activists targeted by the FBI, specifically Chicano leader Carlos Montes. The GA unanimously endorsed the Committee to Stop FBI Repression.

Plans made during the General Assembly include an Occupy Wisconsin contingent within the Occupy Contingent at the mass march against NATO on May 20 in Chicago. The GA is also calling for its first state-wide day of action on June 6, the day after Governor Walker's recall election. In towns all over the state, Occupy will rally to hold whichever governor wins accountable to the working people of Wisconsin and demand the restoration of collective bargaining rights for public employee unions.

#FondDuLacWI #antiwar #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #CollectiveBargaining #OccupyWisconsin

Muskegon, MI – Workers at Red Cross in Michigan and Ohio have been on strike since March 30, after a clash with management over health care for themselves and others. Workers in other Midwest states are considering a strike over health care and related unfair labor practices by Red Cross bosses too. With public safety in mind, it is important to know the workers are not striking the local Red Cross Chapters and still cover emergency events.

While Michigan union workers are outside on the street, struggling to preserve good health care for themselves and others, inside the corporate offices, Red Cross bosses are demanding union workers give up their right to bargain over health care. This follows five years without a raise and cost cutting flexibility on the part of the health care workers. The union members have been working without a contract for four years now. Red Cross is attempting to impose a “catastrophic” high deductible plan that covers only extreme health situations, not routine care needs.

Cindy Krieger, a union steward with the Office and Professional Employees International Union – OPEIU Local 459 in Muskegon, Michigan – spoke on the picket line with a dozen other workers supporting her, “We hope for a fair health care plan. We understand health care is changing but we want to maintain the right to bargain over it. We offered a plan that would save $1.5 million dollars a year and management denied it. Red Cross refuses to set a date for negotiations or to bargain in good faith.”

Red Cross bosses are forcing a pattern of bargaining that put 11 out of 18 groups on strike prior to getting health care. Most gave up their bargaining rights to obtain their health care. Smaller groups, some with only two people, were forced to knuckle under. The current battle involves over 160 striking workers in OPEIU alone. Red Cross is fighting with other workers too, Teamsters Local 580 in Michigan, Teamsters in Cleveland, and UFCW in Toledo.

According to the OPEIU leaflet, the federal government found the same Red Cross bosses guilty in 2011 of refusing to provide information for negotiations, imposing a “no fault” attendance policy, changing and eliminating retired workers health insurance and 401K savings plans without bargaining, and moving work out of state. Another trial will repeat some of the charges and also deal with the repression and punishment of union stewards and activists for standing up for themselves and the health of the public. Red Cross is out to make the union voiceless.

Besides health care for themselves, the union members from OPEIU are fighting for standards in the blood bank industry. OPEIU Local 459 members at Red Cross last had a contract in 2008. It was extended in 2009, and then nothing. Now Red Cross bosses are attempting to negotiate lower standards with fewer staff. Bosses are moving to eliminate the requirement for a registered nurse to be on every blood drive. Bosses at Red Cross are ready to take risks that health professionals are not. In the economy of the 1%, even health care workers are forced to beg for health care.

#MuskegonMI #MuskegonMN #Healthcare #RedCross #CollectiveBargaining #OPEIU

Rockford, IL – Laverne Huggins, Mary Sargent and L’seandra Anderson of AFSCME Local 473 lead an informational picket of close to 200 workers at the Zeke Georgi State Office Building in Rockford, Illinois. Workers are protesting Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s announcement that he would not honor the collective bargaining agreement negotiated with state workers.

#RockfordIL #AFSCME #CollectiveBargaining #PublicSectorUnions #GovernorQuinn #AFSCMELocal473

Madison, WI – In his latest attempt at smashing unions, derailing public education and further punishing the working class for the economic crisis, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker called together an ‘Extraordinary Session,’ June 14, so that right-wing legislators can ram through his proposed two-year budget. The new budget will slash funding for public education, make large cuts to social services and local governments and pave the way for more privatization.

The budget was prepared to include the notorious anti-collective bargaining components that protesters brought to a halt last spring. With unusual speed, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned a court-issued injunction that prevented the law from going in to law – just before the Extraordinary Session began. Lawyers have other grounds to challenge the law, which may keep it tied up for some time.

Threatened with layoffs, cuts, losing their unions, paying increased costs for health care and pensions, provisions such as private school voucher systems and requiring local areas to use private contractors for some public works projects, protesters are again flooding the streets of Madison in protest. The people of Wisconsin know this budget must be stopped.

While protests are ongoing, including a ‘Walkerville’ tent city outside the Capitol that anyone may join, the next large protest will be at noon on June 16 on Capitol Square. Another rally will be held at 5:30 p.m. the same day by the State Street entrance.

#MadisonWI #BudgetCuts #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #WisconsinProtest #Walkerville

If this bill passes, the CTU will need 75% of a bargaining unit to vote “yes” to strike. 75% is a very difficult number to reach, since the bargaining unit includes agency fee members that do not vote for the union. The CTU will not be able to actually go on strike for many months due to ‘fact finding’ procedures, which could go on into the months of December. After many months of waiting, teachers could be demoralized and lose their enthusiasm to march out of their schools. With these strike restrictions, the teachers have little leverage in their fight for a strong contract, which is a little over a year away for the CTU.

Other components of the bill that reduce workers rights include provisions stating that the union may not file grievances against unfair layoffs with the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board. It also overturns court cases the union won concerning layoffs and seniority (including a recent court case that restored seniority). Essentially this will remove teachers’ rights of seniority, so layoffs will be left at the discretion of principals, many of whom will try to trim their schools’ budget for teachers’ salaries by firing experienced teachers.

Grievances concerning length of the workday and length of the school year would not be heard by the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board. This provision will give the Board of Education or the CEO of Chicago Public Schools free reign to lengthen the school day as they please. The CTU is allowed to bargain for extra pay, but if there is little leverage of a potential strike, then the Board of Education will unlikely agree to extra pay for the teachers. An extended school year is another permissible negotiating item where the board can add days to the school year without considering teacher or community input.

Billionaires and businessmen with no interest in supporting public education were the chief creators of SB7. This bill was created to weaken the teachers’ unions who protect public education and the students in Illinois. If the teachers’ unions are weakened, the businessmen have greater power in the privatization of schools and stealing money from public education. Already 10% of Chicago Public Schools have been turned into non-unionized charter schools and the Chicago Public Schools board of education recently passed proposals for more charter schools.

On May 4, a motion passed through the Chicago Teachers’ Union House of Delegates that condemns the bill and requires the union to “mobilize its members to fight in order to keep our collective bargaining rights.” The Illinois State Board of Education is also upset about components of the bill and is urging the legislators to amend it.

If you care about public schools and you care about workers’ rights, call your Illinois House representative and tell them to “Vote no on SB7.” You can find your representative at: http://www.ctunet.com/action/legislators. Also, call Governor Quinn and tell him to veto SB7 if it passes the house. Quinn’s number is 217-782-0244.

#ChicagoIL #PeoplesStruggles #PublicEducation #CollectiveBargaining #publicSectorUnions #teachersUnions

Senate Bill 5 is a blatant attempt by Republican Governor John Kasich and the Republican controlled Ohio legislature to break the back of unions while lying to the public about “budget difficulties.” This same governor and his cronies in the state government have also been pushing to eliminate Ohio’s estate tax, which taxes property inherited by the relatives of the very rich. It’s clear that this bill, along with other similar bills in other states, is a coordinated attack on the working class in America and has nothing to do with budget problems.

The bill passed the house by a vote of 53-44 with minor changes from the Senate version of the bill. The Senate passed the House version by a vote of 17 to 16. The passage of Senate Bill 5 was met with loud opposition by the workers and trade unionists who were in attendance at the statehouse. Many opponents of the bill were forcibly removed from the gallery as they sang We Shall Not Be Moved and shouted “Repeal it!” and “Ohio hates you.”

The union busting bill eliminates all collective bargaining rights for public employees employed by the state and state agencies, including corrections officers, state troopers and college professors, among others. City and county employees will have bargaining rights severely restricted. Among the many attacks on workers’ rights, SB-5 makes it so public workers will no longer able to bargain over healthcare benefits or pension contributions. Public employers are not allowed to pay more than 80% of the costs for health care benefits. Teachers’ unions have been stripped of their power to negotiate over layoff procedures, teacher salaries, teacher placement and classroom sizes, with those decisions now being decided solely by superintendents.

Furthermore, public workers cannot agree to contracts in which seniority is considered as a factor when determining layoffs. Public employers “last best offers” will now be considered the default “agreement” whenever a labor contract is in dispute. The bill rigs labor negotiations so that the final decisions made about contracts are left in the hands of politically motivated elected officials, instead of arbitration. Public employers have also been given the power to unilaterally reopen labor contracts when they deem there to be a “fiscal emergency.” Finally, among other things, public workers are banned from striking and striking workers can be permanently replaced.

The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Kasich on March 31 and large demonstrations are expected. Workers, students, trade unionists and their allies are expected to push to put the law up for vote on the ballot in November.

#ColumbusOH #Columbus #unionBusting #CollectiveBargaining #PublicSectorUnions

Milwaukee, WI – Hundreds rallied at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), March 14, as protests continue against Governor Scott Walker's anti-union, anti-people attacks. The rally was the third mass action taken at the university in recent weeks and included speeches by student, community and union leaders.

Joel Ramirez, a former UWM student and member of Youth Empowered in the Struggle, riled up the crowd when he said, “Wall Street lives lavishly and recklessly while we the people are left to pay the bill.” Ramirez went on to stress the need for African Americans and Latinos to stay united in the struggle and to oppose the oncoming attack on immigrants, which will include attempts to deny in-state tuition for undocumented students.

State Senator Chris Larson, one of the 14 state senators who fled the state to try to halt the passing of the infamous Budget Repair Bill, made a surprise visit to the rally. “It's been a difficult time and I had to sleep on an inflatable mattress, but I stayed motivated thinking of all you who were sleeping on the marble floors of our Capitol.”

UWM United organized the rally and intends to play a role in defeating the Budget Repair Bill and defending the University of Wisconsin system from budget cuts and privatization.

#MilwaukeeWI #StudentMovement #EducationRights #UniversityOfWisconsinMilwaukee #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions #WisconsinProtest #YouthEmpoweredInTheStruggle #UWMUnited

Madison, WI – More than 50 tractors, some with manure spreaders, joined the massive March 12 protest at the Wisconsin state capitol here. The Farmer Labor Tractorcade was organized by the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Family Farm Defenders.

The Tractorcade and the participation of rural Wisconsinites in the protest is another sign of the broad, profound anger with Governor Walker’s attacks.

#MadisonWI #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #WisconsinProtest

Madison, WI – As of 3:00 p.m. today, March 12, the number of protesters at the state capitol here has swelled to more than 150,000. Senators who had left Wisconsin in an attempt to block Governor Walker’s union-busting legislations returned to an enthusiastic welcome.

On March 11 Governor Walker signed into law a bill which strips public workers of their right to collectively bargain.

J Burger, a Chicago trade unionist attending the rally stated, “This is the largest protest yet. This fight will continue and the outcome will be determined by the efforts of Wisconsin workers.”

#MadisonWI #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions

Governor Scott Walker has lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet. He thought he could get away with anything. Instead he finds that the people of Wisconsin have rejected his union-busting plans.

In Ohio, Indiana, Alaska, New Jersey, Florida and other states, reactionary politicians are taking the road of Scott Walker and trying to limit the rights of unions. They are doing this in service of their corporate masters who are trying to enrich the few at the expense of the many. This adds to the importance of the battle in Wisconsin. Workers across the United States are drawing inspiration from the upsurge of struggle in Madison.

On the streets of Madison today, a new chapter in history of the U.S. labor movement is being written. The strength of the working class and its allies stand out in sharp relief. The battle is far from over. In the weeks and months ahead the fight to regain the rights of pubic workers will continue, and will grow. In the long run victory is certain.

#MadisonWI #Editorials #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions

Madison, WI – Massive protests are expected here, March 12. Tens of thousands of workers, students and community members are expected to converge on the state capitol Saturday afternoon. Buses have been chartered from across the state.

On March 11, Governor Scott Walker signed into law union busting legislation that strips public employees of their collective bargaining rights.

A student march is being organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) from the Library Mall at 11:00 a.m. to meet up with thousands of workers outside the capitol.

The rally at the capitol is scheduled to begin at 2 pm. Musicians will perform between 2-3 pm, and speeches will start at 3pm.

#MadisonWI #StudentMovement #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions

On the evening of March 9, the Senate Republicans launched a surprise maneuver to ram the wildly unpopular bill through by separating it from the budget, and avoiding the quorum requirement. As the State Senate rushed to a vote, several thousand people arrived to protest outside the locked-down capitol building, eventually forcing their way inside. One Democratic senator called the vote illegal, referencing an open meeting law that requires the senate provide 24-hour notice of such action, which the Republicans did not do.

While 14 state senators have been camped out across state borders to prevent the body from reaching quorum to pass the original bill, Governor Walker has been claiming that the union busting measures are strictly budget issues. The recent separation of the anti-union legislation from the budget bill proved to the people of Wisconsin that their Governor had been lying all along – this bill has always been primarily about taking away workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain.

The provisions of this anti-union bill will come down hard on Wisconsin workers who have had a long history of successful labor struggles. The bill would all but eliminate collective bargaining rights and would add penalties on workers who strike or organize for labor rights.

Unions are calling for the largest protest yet to take place on Saturday, March 12. A student march is being organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) from the Library Mall at 11:00 a.m. to meet up with thousands of workers outside the capitol.

#MadisonWI #CollectiveBargaining #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions #GovernorWalker

Madison, WI – As Republicans made use of a parliamentary maneuver to ram through major sections of their anti-union legislation, thousands stormed the Capitol last night, March 9, and hundreds remained overnight.

Many decided to sleep in the gallery of the State Assembly meeting area, anticipating the area to be the best place to confront the passing of the bill, as it awaited State Assembly approval.

“We're prepared to do whatever it takes to kill the bill or shut it down,” said Daniel Ginsberg of Milwaukee, an organizer with Students for a Democratic Society, who stood with about 75 other people in the gallery as of 10:30 a.m., March 10, a half hour before the scheduled meeting time of the State Assembly.

Holding the gallery for hours throughout the morning, amidst threats of potential felony charges by state troopers, all protesters were eventually dragged out one by one of the area by an army of police officers as people chanted “Shame!” and “The whole world is watching!”

In the meantime, thousands amassed outside the Capitol. While a few were let in under tight security, and others made it in by rushing the doors, most were not able to enter and instead chanted from outside “Let us in!” and “Kill the bill!”

The State Assembly is expected to pass the anti-union legislation later today. All fiscal sections of the bill were removed to avoid a necessary quorum (senate democrats left the state days ago so a quorum would not be present). The legislation threatens to take away collective bargaining rights of most public sector unions in Wisconsin.

Breaking news: The Wisconsin Assembly passed the union busting legislation. More reports to follow.

#MadisonWI #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions

Madison, WI – As of 10:30 p.m., thousands of workers, students and community members have reoccupied the Wisconsin state capitol here, March 9. Chants to “Kill the bill” and urging a general strike echo throughout the building. Hundreds of people are engaging in a sit-in outside the doors of the chamber where the Assembly meets. Many are prepared for arrests.

#MadisonWI #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions

Students were among those who pushed past police guarding the building; several showed the bruises they received.

Republicans made use of a parliamentary maneuver that separated bargaining rights for public workers from the budget bill, thus eliminating the requirement for the presence of a quorum that is required for votes on legislation that involves spending money.

Many of those inside the capitol intend to remain for the rest of the night.

#MadisonWI #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions

Milwaukee, WI – Over 1500 students and workers walked out Mar. 2 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in protest of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's plan to destroy public sector unions and slash funding for public education. Initiated by Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society, the protest included a worker contingent of AFSCME, TAUWP and AFT union members. The protest took place on the National Day of Action to Defend Education.

The protest began at the UWM union where people chanted “Kill the bill” and “Tax the rich.” The protest then marched around campus, through streets and buildings and ended at a plaza on campus where speeches were delivered by union members and students.

“This is not only a job killer, this is a people killer,” stated AFSCME Local 82 President Gilbert Johnson. “We're not making a lot of money and these cuts will force us to make some tough decisions. This bill has got to be stopped at whatever cost.”

After the protest, student leaders met and decided to take it to the next level. Inspired by past university occupations held in California and New York, they declared an occupation of a theater building. Around 100 students arrived to the occupation.

“I helped organize this protest today because I'm afraid about the future of our educational system,” commented Mike Gold of SDS. “We'll do whatever it takes to save our school and defend campus workers.”

#MilwaukeeWI #Labor #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #StudentOccupation #UniversityOfWisconsinMilwaukee #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin #publicSectorUnions

“They've gone too far and now it's time to fight back” said a worker when asked about why he was attending the demonstration.

Speakers, many from the Service Employees International Union, denounced the bill for attacking workers while doing nothing to solve the $8 billion dollar budget deficit that Republicans claim the bill is supposed to address. They pointed out that if collective bargaining was the problem, so-called 'right-to-work' states wouldn't be having large budget deficits.

Today, the Republicans rammed through SB-5 with a 17-16 vote in the Senate. Earlier, the Republicans pushed through SB-5 in a senate committee by removing a dissenting Republican senator. Six Republicans voted against the proposed law; a couple of publicly denounced the vote. Gov.Kasich's union-busting bill will now head to the Ohio House of Representatives, while workers and students continue to protest at the State Capitol building.

#ColumbusOH #CollectiveBargaining #GovernorJohnKasich #SB5 #publicSectorUnions #SenateBill5 #ohio