Public Employee Press

New York labor calls for solidarity with Wisconsin workers
Your help is needed

"Labor and especially public employees are under attack from one end of this country to another like never before," DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts told a throng of reporters outside City Hall Feb. 23.

"This is a fi ght for the survival of the labor movement as we know it. But with all of us standing together in solidarity, we cannot be defeated," she said as members and leaders of a dozen unions blasted Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's attempt to turn back the clock on state workers' collective bargaining rights.

Joining Roberts in solidarity with the Wisconsin workers were leaders and members from several DC 37 locals, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and members Letitia James and James Sanders and city and state union offi cers, including Denis Hughes, Jack Ahern, Danny Donohue, Michael Mulgrew and Arthur Cheliotes.

"Dismantling the right to bargain collectively would destroy the very principle many union organizers have given their lives to achieve," said city Central Labor Council President Jack Ahern, pointing out that collective bargaining rights are also under attack in Ohio, Indiana and other states.

"The courage and determination of our sisters and brothers in Wisconsin have inspired working families across the nation, but now the Wisconsin workers need our help," said Roberts.

Wisconsin members of DC 37's national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, need help with ransportation and media costs and member-support activities during their historic fi ght for justice.

How you can help

If you can contribute, please make your check payable to AFSCME Council 11 and send it to Lillian Roberts, Room 525, District Council 37, 125 Barclay St., New York, NY 10007.

Roberts explained that public employees in Wisconsin are fighting for all working people who want a voice in their workplace and in an economy that seems to work only for the rich and powerful these days.

"Their fight is our fight, so please help if you can," she said.