Public Employee Press

From the heartland to the Big Apple
WORKERS RALLY
Stop union busting, Cancel the cuts, Tax the rich

By JANE LaTOUR

A FEB. 24 lunchtime demonstration organized by DC 37 locals to battle attacks on New York City and New York State public sector workers broadened to include an angry protest against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's effort to strip government workers of their collective bargaining rights.

Members of DC 37 locals 154, 375, 768, 1113 and 1549 were joined by supporters from New York City Central Labor Council unions until the 700-strong rally also included teachers, carpenters, actors, electricians, Teamsters, stagehands and more.

"I'm here to show solidarity. Workers' rights have no boundaries," said Frank Schiavone, a 25-year Firefi ghter from East Hartford, Conn., and a member of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1548.

Local 375 Secretary Jon Forster introduced each speaker at the rally. "Everyone knows the city wants to lay off civil servants and reduce the quality of life," said Local 375 President Behrouz Fathi. "This is not a budget issue - it's union busting," he said, and he called for a tax on the rich to avoid service cuts and layoffs.

Fathi introduced what soon became a popular chant: "What's disgusting? Union busting!"

DC 37 Associate Director Henry Garrido jumped right in with the chant: "Say it loud! What's disgusting? Union busting!" Garrido said, "We have a mayor who claims to be a fi nancial wizard, but his cuts will have long-term, negative effects on the city's economy. This administration is ready to lay off thousands but is not willing to tax the rich. There's something wrong with a system like that!"

The rally's demands included stopping the city's layoffs of public employees and cuts in public services, continuing the state "millionaires' tax," canceling the contracted-out CityTime payroll project and providing adequate funding for education, health care and jobs.

"It's time to fi ght back and to stop the lies," said Local 1407 President and DC 37 Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin.

"Brothers and sisters, this is about us, the working class. The mayor has already told us he wants to take away our civil service rights. He's coming after our pensions next. We have to take action, because this is not going to stop," said SSEU Local 371 President Faye Moore. She kicked off another chant: "The workers, united, will never be defeated!"

Defending bargaining rights

In Wisconsin, public sector workers and their allies fought back against the governor's effort to destroy their bargaining rights, with up to 100,000 demonstrators rallying in the frigid streets and in the capitol building in Madison.

"This is our time to change history," said Gov. Scott Walker, as he and other recently elected Republican governors took up the cudgels against public sector union members in Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma and New Jersey.

The attacks sparked waves of resistance that spread nationwide. On Saturday, Feb. 26, a few days after the DC 37 demonstration, rallies in support of public employees hit every state capital in the nation and a dozen other cities. Many DC 37 members were among the thousands protesting at City Hall.

"I'm concerned about what's going on in Wisconsin," said Local 1549 member Joan T. Jordan, who has worked for the Housing Preservation and Development Dept. for 32 years. "And I'm also concerned about our jobs. Tax Wall Street, not us!"