Solidarity from coast to coast

IN DOZENS of state capitals and cities across the country, workers from both the private and public sector, political activists, students and community members organized rallies to demonstrate their support for the struggle against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and his union-busting attack.

The outpourings of support--from Los Angeles to New York City, and from Boise, Idaho, to Miami--showed how fed up people are around the country with the politicians' pro-corporate, anti-worker agenda, and how much they sense the importance of the fight in Wisconsin.

As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, "Wisconsin's scorched-earth budget battle has become a consuming national spectacle and defining political moment, an episode with few parallels in the legislative annals of this or any state."

Already in Ohio and Indiana, fights over budget bills aimed at limiting union power were also prompting stirrings of Wisconsin-like protests. And nearly everywhere else, people were aware that what happens in Wisconsin may establish a pattern for the budget-cutters to follow everywhere.

In Los Angeles, about 2,000 people rallied at City Hall in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. Many unions were present, including the Teamsters, AFSCME, United Steelworkers and SEIU. About 200 people from a nearby pro-choice rally marched from Pershing Square to join the Wisconsin solidarity rally, chanting and carrying signs stating "Pro-union, Pro-choice." More than a dozen people spoke and led the crowd in chants.

Several speakers explained how the attack on Wisconsin's public-sector workers was an attack on all unions and working-class people. "This is a global struggle," said one AFSCME member. A member of Justice for Janitors, evoking the revolution in Egypt, said, "When we fight, we win." People held signs reading "Walk like an Egyptian" and "Fight corporate greed, not American workers."

Throughout the day, people referenced the billionaire Koch brothers and their financial connection to Scott Walker, stating that working people should not forced to pay the price of the financial crisis caused by corporate bankers gambling on people's mortgages.

In Washington, D.C., more than 2,000 unionists and supporters rallied February 23 to show their solidarity with the protests against Gov. Walker's anti-union bill. Protesters gathered downtown in front of Koch Industries, the corporate empire of the billionaire Koch brothers, who have become notorious around the country for bankrolling the Tea Party movement and other pro-corporate efforts, including the anti-worker campaign in Wisconsin.

Demonstrators marched to the D.C. offices of the state of Wisconsin and held a picket and rally in the plaza in front of the Hall of States building. Their numbers swelled as people with signs and bullhorns spilled out onto the street, which was then cordoned off by police.

Chants of "Hey hey, ho ho, Scott Walker has got to go!" and "What's disgusting? Union busting!" were bellowed through bullhorns and carried by the energetic crowd, echoing off of the building around the small plaza. Protesters emphasized that this fight has implications well beyond Wisconsin's borders.

Jerome Brocks, a retired teacher and union activist from the Washington Teachers Union, addressed the crowd, condemning the union-busting polices of former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee and expressing pride in his brothers and sisters in the teachers union in Wisconsin.

Peggy Dinkel, a nurse from National Nurses United, expressed her union's solidarity with workers in Wisconsin as nurses here are fighting a contract battle with the Washington Hospital Center. She reminded protesters that the nurses will be holding a one-day strike next week.

SEIU and AFSCME brought out the largest numbers, followed by Teamsters, AFT, National Education Association, Communication Workers of America (CWA) and many others. Jobs with Justice and other labor solidarity groups were also present.

In Boston, about 2,000 union supporters rallied outside the Massachusetts State House on February 22. The overall mood was one of tremendous optimism and hope that Wisconsin workers could stop Gov. Walker's proposed bill to gut unions and increase health care and pension costs. Chants and cheers frequently interrupted speakers because the crowd was so enthusiastic.

There were several signs expressing international solidarity with Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and Libya. Many unions organized the rally, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association, AFT, Boston Teachers Union, Mass AFL-CIO, Greater Boston Central Labor Council, AFSCME Council 93, SEIU Local 509, 1199 SEIU and SEIU Local 888.

Among the many speakers was Rachel Wiederhoest, a production assistant for WGBH public media, a member of CWA Local 1300 and an organizer for LGBT rights. Local 1300 is currently in the midst of its own contract battle with WGBH, which seeks to decrease annual wage increases, decrease severance pay and make it possible to fire without reasonable cause.

"I am feeling very heartened," said Wiederhoest in an interview. "It makes mobilizing at WGBH much easier. What is happening at Wisconsin will hopefully accelerate the mobilization of employees at WGBH."

Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick also addressed the rally, prompting some at the rally to rightfully scoff when he said, "We need to work together." For a governor so committed to "supporting" state workers, his latest budget proposal is a slap in the face. It includes lowering the corporate tax rate, a $23 million cut for emergency homeless shelters and a $16.4 million cut for Department of Mental Health hospitals--on top of a commitment to bring 17 new charter schools into the state, while closing or merging about the same number of public schools in Boston alone.

A handful of Tea Partiers also showed up, but several members of the Iron Workers Local 7 union made it their job to argue with them and isolate them from the rally.

In New York City, more than 300 workers and students rallied in front of Fox News on February 22. The solidarity protest was called by the newly formed Jobs Party. The protest was timed to coincide with the airing of Glenn Beck's show as a celebration of the fact that the pro-Walker Tea Party rally in Wisconsin was outnumbered 35-to-one by union protesters and their supporters.

In San Diego, more than 1,000 trade unionists and allies demonstrated February 27. This was the largest event of its kind since a 2005 demonstration in support of the Southern California grocery workers strike.

The San Diego Imperial Counties Central Labor Council called the rally, which was held in front of the San Diego County administration building. Members of more than 20 San Diego-area unions participated. Both public- and private-sector unions were represented, including teachers, city and county workers, firefighters, Teamsters, longshore workers and construction workers.

Speaking for the Central Labor Council, Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez told the crowd that the economic crisis putting pressure on state budgets was caused "by Wall Street and the banks and the big corporations...And they're going to demonize a teacher who makes $60,000 a year if they are lucky?"

Garion Wright, a member of Carpenter's Local 527, came to the rally "to support the unions," he explained in an interview. "I think everyone should be able to organize and do what they want to do...They are laborers just like we are."

In the state capital of Olympia, Wash., organized labor's traditional "lobby day" on Presidents Day at the State Capitol was transformed by the excitement over the escalating class war in the upper Midwest, and just five days later, more than 2,500 again turned out for a February 26 rally.

On Presidents Day, several thousand union members from the Washington Federation of State Employees, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and many other unions joined with allies from the Parent Teacher Student Association, Fair Budget Coalition, students from several universities, pro-choice groups and advocates for the poor.

Together, they demanded that the Washington legislature close tax loopholes to prevent massive cuts in education and social programs. There were several marches and a rally on the Capitol steps as well as another one inside the Capitol rotunda.

Washington State has a budget gap of more than $5 billion for the 2011-2013 biennium and a $1 billion gap from now until June 30. The governor has proposed several program cuts, some of which the legislature partially restored, and 3 percent pay cuts for state employees through furloughs. The state also has given several billion dollars in tax breaks to large corporations.

The green ribbons and signs in support of the workers in Wisconsin were everywhere. Every mention of the brothers and sisters in Wisconsin met with rousing applause. SEIU videotaped a message from 300 workers to those occupying Wisconsin's capitol, and the union even changed its plans at the last minute to organize a rally rather than just a lobby day at the legislature.

On February 26, SEU members streamed into the rally sporting cheeseheads and wearing red. Others wore Green Bay Packers gear in solidarity. Dozens of labor unions were represented--from teachers to carpenters to dockworkers, with lots of firefighters as well.

Union leaders spoke from the stage about the importance of the battle in Wisconsin for the rights of workers all over the country and also declared their opposition to attacks on unions in Washington State.

The many hand-made signs that dotted the rally were particularly powerful--such as "Solidarity with unions everywhere," "Cut bank bonuses, not teachers," "United we bargain, divided we beg," and "Wall Street, big banks, and oil companies have all the money--get it from them."

And there were many signs alluding to the inspiration that people here in the U.S. have gained from the revolutions in the Middle East and North Africa. Many protesters also drew larger conclusions about the nature of the social system that we live in. As Darrell Barker, a former Teamster, put it, "Pure capitalism is all about getting the best return on your investment at the expense of humanity--it's heartless."

Following the outdoor rally, everyone marched to the State House to confront a handful of Tea Partiers. But after the Tea Partiers quickly fled, the crowd spontaneously flooded into the Capitol rotunda. In a scene that looked like it was straight out of Madison, people packed the rotunda, hanging signs off the balconies.

Jesse Hagopian, a teacher and member of the Seattle Education Association, used a bullhorn to discuss the attacks on public education and then led an impromptu speak-out, in which all the pent up anger and frustration came flooding out of workers who clamored to get a chance to express their views.

Several workers told heartfelt stories about how important union rights have been in giving them a voice on the job and a sense of dignity while also relating stories of non-union workers struggling to pay the bills and retiring in destitution.

State troopers attempted to keep people out of the rotunda and then attempted to take away the bullhorn. However, in the face of demonstrators linking arms and raucous chants of "Whose house? Our house!" they retreated.

"They say this is about union workers making too much money," declared David Rolf, president of SEIU Local 775NW, with the "liberated" bullhorn. "But this is really about nonunion workers not making enough money! It's time to fight back and seize the power!"

Wrapping up the hour-long occupation of the Capitol rotunda, people marched out chanting, "We'll be back!" and sending a clear message to the State of Washington that we will not put up with the kinds of attacks and austerity measures that politicians are promoting all over the country.

In Austin, Texas, 2,500 people, union and nonunion, arrived at the Capitol building February 26 to support collective bargaining for public-sector workers--in Wisconsin and Texas.

The rally opened with everyone singing "Solidarity Forever" and continued with lively chanting, such "Down, down with Rick Perry!" Signs read "Austin stands with Madison," "Fight like an Egyptian" and "Bust billionaires, not unions."

People like Duncan McGinnis, a teacher from what he calls the most conservative county in Texas, came from outlying areas to join the rally. "Wisconsin's governor got me really pissed off," said McGinnis. "It's one thing to balance a budget; it's another to kill a union, to kill it just because you can, because you have the power."

"I teach at-risk students, kids that [Gov.] Rick Perry is happy to spend millions locking up," continued McGinnis. "But he won't spend money to have someone help and inspire them. We're treated like villains because we want to make a living wage. The politicians don't care about you unless you've got a ton of money."

In Sacramento, Calif., more than 2,500 people rallied February 22 on the steps of the Capitol to voice their solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Wisconsin. AFSCME, SEIU, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, California Nurses Association, California Teachers Association, Teamsters and various locals all mobilized strong contingents.

Several local and regional news outlets covered the boisterous event, which was billed as the "We are one" Solidarity Candlelight Vigil. Francisco Herrra, a Bay Area musician, energized the crowd with labor songs, and rank-and-file union folks led chants.

Considering the short notice and scant publicity, the size of the crowd was impressive for a weeknight. Speakers talked of the power that striking workers have, of the assault on workers and unions and of the disgusting tactics of Walker.

Kathryn Lybarger, a member of AFSCME Local 3299, pointed out that workers have been under attack for decades and that, with our backs against the wall, it is time to fight back.

Rallies in solidarity with Wisconsin are scheduled to continue around the state of California, as the struggle in Wisconsin is far from resolved, and the struggle in California is now beginning to expand.

In Oakland, Calif., for example, about 150 workers and community members attended a solidarity rally called on short notice by the Oakland Education Association and other East Bay labor and community groups.

Speakers expressed their outrage at Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's assault on workers' rights and the need for a similar struggle in California, where budget cutters are taking aim at all public sectors. Several people made the point that even though a Democrat--Jerry Brown--is governor of California, workers here are still facing severe cuts.

One of the largest cheers went out to a speaker who mentioned that unions in Wisconsin were discussing a general strike in response to Walker's continued refusal to back down.

In Portland, Ore., 600 people gathered to march, carrying signs that read, "Stand with Wisconsin, an injury to one is an injury to all" and "Solidarity...which side are you on?" As they marched, protesters chanted, "Union-busting, that's disgusting," and "Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio too, workers fight back, how about you?"

Tom Chamberlain, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO, addressed the crowd, describing Walker's bill as "class warfare." "What Scott Walker has done is awakened the sleeping giant and put people back in the streets like they were in the streets back in the 1930s," he continued.

Adam Sanchez, a Portland educator, got the loudest cheers when he told the crowd what he saw during his trip to the Wisconsin Capitol, where he spent two nights with the protesters. Sanchez said the American working class had "awoken from over 30 years of defeats and a one-sided class war" and "begun to turn the tide in Wisconsin."

In Providence, R.I., there have been two rallies--one of 500 and one of 300--in solidarity with the uprising in Wisconsin. Popular signs included "Collective bargaining not dictatorship," "An injury to one is an injury to all," "From Cairo to Wisconsin to RI" and "Walker is a Koch fiend."

In Miami, Fla., about 250 people rallied February 26 to support Wisconsin workers and take a stand against their own anti-union governor, Rick Scott. In attendance were members of AFSCME, CWA, the teachers' union, Jobs with Justice and other progressive groups, such as the Raging Grannies.

In Burlington, Vt., more than 200 workers marched and listened to speakers from the Vermont AFL-CIO, the Vermont Workers Center and the Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign.

Mari Cordes, a member of the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Healthcare Workers, just returned from Madison and told the crowd that Republicans in Wisconsin "have no idea the strength of the fire they ignited." State Sen. Anthony Pollina fired up the crowd by saying that "public employees get pay cuts, people in need get service cuts, but for some reason, millionaires get tax cuts."

In Urbana-Champaign, Ill., SEIU held a protest February 23 to demand contracts for building service and social service workers at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. About 30 people, with many cars honking their horns in support, showed up. The chant of the day was "Cairo to Wisco to Ohio, Power to the people!"