Locals rally for solidarity - VIDEO

By Christopher J. Hughes chughes@golackawanna.comGo Lackawanna Editor

SCRANTON – Close to 200 representatives from the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, United Food and Commercial Workers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and others gathered for a noon rally Wednesday near the statue of the late labor leader John Mitchell.

To see additional photos and video, visit www.times

leader.com

Workers gathered to show their opposition to what they deemed union-busting tactics in Wisconsin and Ohio.

“We are one in solidarity with Wisconsin and all of the other states that are having horrific problems with our so-called government,” Roxanne Pauline, coordinator with the NEPA Area Labor Federation, said.

Madison, Wis., native and Temple Hesed spiritual leader Rabbi Daniel Swartz told the crowd that the Republican Party he learned about in school is “a lot different from what it is today.” The state’s party, Swartz said, first organized to recognize the rights of slaves, and one of its most storied representatives, former U.S. representative, senator and governor Robert La Follette, was known for busting monopolies, not unions.

“The unions in Wisconsin are willing to negotiate. They understand the budget crisis. They’re willing to pitch in. (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker) is interested in stripping their power. I don’t know what country he thinks he’s in,” Swartz said.

The rally received honks of support from cars and one County of Lackawanna Transit System driver.

Afterwards, UFCW Local 1776 Director of Legislation and Political Action John Meyerson said he believes there is a piecemeal effort to dissolve unions in Pennsylvania through the privatization of the turnpike system or the state liquor stores.

“What’s going on in Madison is very significant. It’s the most extreme case of what we see going on, to a certain extent in Pennsylvania, of blaming working people and public employees for our economic problems,” he said.

Alex Rendina, president of the Wyoming Valley Nurses Association, said, “What’s going on in Wisconsin, we see that in Wilkes-Barre. When Community Health Systems came and took over Wilkes-Barre General (Hospital), we’ve seen how they don’t want to bargain with the nurses,” Rendina said.