LABOR ASKS FOR AND GETS DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS

Pundits predict that Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker will be a
one-term elected official.
(photo:  Bess Watts)

Rochester, N.Y.--  As the Monroe County Eastside Democrats gathered to nominate candidates for local offices this evening, members also had the opportunity to hear and respond to a resolution to support the public workers in Wisconsin, repudiate the anti-worker bill that Governor Walker just signed into law and take a stand to support collective bargaining rights for public employees.

For several weeks there has been an effort in the local labor community to gauge support for collective bargaining and worker rights in general. Tonight labor folks got what they were looking for in a unanimous vote to support the resolution that was introduced by Monroe County Democratic Committee member of the 23rd Legislative District, Ove Overmyer. Overmyer is also an officer of CSEA.

We at the Voice Reporter know that supporting worker rights is not exclusively a Democrat or Republican issue.  We are convinced that many New York legislators, regardless of political party, agree that the Wisconsin bill goes too far.  The Democratic caucus for the Monroe County Legislature is also circulating similar language to send a message to working families that sooner or later, lines have to be drawn.  All 12 Democratic legislators have signed the resolution.  It is now making its way through the Republican majority and County administration.

Bess Watts, president of CSEA Monroe County Local 828 says leadership is hard to find these days.  "We need to know where our elected officials stand.  Early on, there were only a handful of representatives out there speaking publicly about this issue.  We need to know whether or not they possess middle-class values or if they are part of the problem."

Below is the cover letter for the resolution sent to Democratic Commitee members on March 16 and the resolution:

(click on documents for a larger view)