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Participants linked their efforts to protests taking place at the same time in Madison, Wis., against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s plan to undermine public employee collective bargaining rights.
“We’re seeing the same kind of things in Minnesota,” Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson told the crowd. “A fringe group of politicians is trying to make it hard for working people to make a living.”
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| Workers filled the Capitol rotunda for a noon rally. |
“We need jobs now,” Knutson declared. “Let’s make sure our legislators hear that today – loud and clear.”
Participants fanned out across the Capitol to meet with lawmakers. They included unemployed workers like Russ Jones of Anoka, a floorlayer who hasn’t worked in two years due to the downturn in construction.
“People’s lives are being ruined,” Jones said. “Middle class America is shrinking and what do you have? You have the extremely wealthy and the poor.”
The Minnesota AFL-CIO is supporting Governor Mark Dayton’s plan to boost the economy with $1 billion in bonding to build and revitalize roads, bridges and buildings and put 28,000 people back to work. The labor federation also backs his proposal to tax higher-income Minnesotans to balance the state budget and avoid drastic cuts in public services.
Public sector workers said they feel they have become scapegoats for a budget crisis that was not of their making.
“We’re working harder and longer for less and less,” said Duluth teacher Beth McCluskey. She challenged lawmakers who bash public employees to “stop blaming teachers and get out of your offices and do your homework. Visit our classrooms.”
Snowplow driver Mike Lindholt said he was dismayed by the way public service workers have been characterized by some lawmakers.
“I am not a beast,” he said. “I am your friend, your neighbor, your snowplow driver . . . We take pride in keeping Minnesota safe and keeping our roads clear.”
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| Workers from all walks of life participated. The United Food and Commercial Workers union turned out a large delegation (below). |
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Participants linked their efforts to protests taking place at the same time in Madison, Wis., against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s plan to undermine public employee collective bargaining rights.
“We’re seeing the same kind of things in Minnesota,” Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson told the crowd. “A fringe group of politicians is trying to make it hard for working people to make a living.”
|
| Workers filled the Capitol rotunda for a noon rally. |
Knutson cited proposals at the Capitol that would make weaken unions by making Minnesota a so-called “right to work” state and that would undercut the union rights of public workers. Such legislation does nothing to put people back to work or revitalize the state’s economy, she said.
“We need jobs now,” Knutson declared. “Let’s make sure our legislators hear that today – loud and clear.”
Participants fanned out across the Capitol to meet with lawmakers. They included unemployed workers like Russ Jones of Anoka, a floorlayer who hasn’t worked in two years due to the downturn in construction.
“People’s lives are being ruined,” Jones said. “Middle class America is shrinking and what do you have? You have the extremely wealthy and the poor.”
The Minnesota AFL-CIO is supporting Governor Mark Dayton’s plan to boost the economy with $1 billion in bonding to build and revitalize roads, bridges and buildings and put 28,000 people back to work. The labor federation also backs his proposal to tax higher-income Minnesotans to balance the state budget and avoid drastic cuts in public services.
Public sector workers said they feel they have become scapegoats for a budget crisis that was not of their making.
“We’re working harder and longer for less and less,” said Duluth teacher Beth McCluskey. She challenged lawmakers who bash public employees to “stop blaming teachers and get out of your offices and do your homework. Visit our classrooms.”
Snowplow driver Mike Lindholt said he was dismayed by the way public service workers have been characterized by some lawmakers.
“I am not a beast,” he said. “I am your friend, your neighbor, your snowplow driver . . . We take pride in keeping Minnesota safe and keeping our roads clear.”
Related articles
Unions praise Dayton budget as fair, responsible
Amid barrage of legislation, workers ask ‘Where is the focus on jobs?’
Thousands protest, close schools to oppose Wisconsin governor’s plan
|
| Workers from all walks of life participated. The United Food and Commercial Workers union turned out a large delegation (below). |
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