newjerseynewsroom.com

Two Wisconsin demonstrators set to address crowd

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The size of a labor rally outside the Statehouse in Trenton Friday in support of the unionized Wisconsin public workers conducting a marathon protest in and outside the Statehouse in Madison continues to grow with the unions planning to send as many members as possible.

New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech said the unions and community groups are expected to bus in hundreds more demonstrators from around the state.

The AFL-CIO is sponsoring the “Unity Rally” as a sign of support for the Wisconsin workers who are opposing Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s attempt to take away their collective bargaining rights.

Providing first-hand accounts of the Wisconsin controversy will be Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale and two Wisconsin public workers, Arlyn Halvorson and Susan Blaustein.

Interest and support for Walker’s proposals, which are being considered by the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly, have gained the interest of Republican leaders in Ohio and Nevada.

Also scheduled to address the noon Trenton rally are National AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, Wowkanech, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan, National Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades President James Williams, National Education Association Vice President Lilly Eskelsen, New Jersey Education Association President Barbara Keshishian, New Jersey NAACP President James Harris, and HPAE & AFT International Vice President Ann Twomey.

Last Friday, Republican Gov. Chris Christie came out in support of Walker, saying, “Governor Walker was elected by the people of Wisconsin. I know him and I trust him and I support him."

"I support Gov. Walker's strong action to balance his budget," Christie said. "I'm not going to micromanage Wisconsin from New Jersey." Walker is confronting a budget deficit of over $3 billion.

Christie wants New Jersey public employees to contribute to their health care coverage and put more of their own money into the pensions. The governor also wants the 100,000-member teachers’ union to agree to giving educators seniority on their ability and not time on the job. The test scores of their students would be a factor when their ability would be reviewed.