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Union members send message

Date: 3/1/2011

Feb. 28, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

NEWS ANALYSIS

SPRINGFIELD — Anyone attending the rally on Feb. 22 on the steps of City Hall could see there was multiple meanings of the word "freedom." To the more than 300 people in support of the Wisconsin public employees engaged in a fight with Gov. Scott Walker over their rights, "freedom" included the right to unionize and the right to collective bargaining.

To the approximately 15 Tea Party protesters who held signs across the street "freedom" meant something else, according to the signs they carried — "Stop Public Sector Greed," "Support the Rights of the Taxpayer" and "More Teaching, Less Leeching."

The clash of philosophies was more apparent as one walked closer to the street. The pro-union demonstrators were turned to face the Tea Party members rather than to the speakers on the top steps of City Hall. The Tea Party members carried several Revolutionary War "Don't Tread on Me" flags. A pro-union demonstrator held an American flag prominently.

While there were no physical clashes, it was clear emotions were running high. One pro-union supporter yelled, "Don't tread on me" to the counter-demonstrators.

"You guys paying attention so you can learn something?" another pro-union demonstrator shouted.

The speakers at the rally framed the issue as not just one affecting unionized workers in Wisconsin, but all working people. The rally had an almost old-fashioned feel to it with a folksinger performing a song about never crossing picket lines and a rousing invocation by Rev. Jonathan Tetherly of Chicopee.

Business Manager Michael LaFleur of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 charged that if public sector unions lose the right for collective bargaining in Wisconsin, other governors are waiting with their own legislation to weaken unions and promote right to work laws.

Those states include New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Florida and New Jersey.

He said the building trades support public employees.

Springfield City Council President Jose Tosado, also a candidate for mayor, said the actions in Wisconsin were "a very simple issue — in short, it's busting [a] union."

"It's bad for Wisconsin, it's bad for America and it's bad for working men and women who want a fair wage," Tosado added.

Max Page, a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association's executive committee, looked over the crowd and said, "This is what democracy looks like."

Page asserted the claim that Walker's motivation to fight the union was based on the need to balance the state's budget was "a lie."

"This fight is about power, pure and simple," Page said. He added that what is happening in Wisconsin "may be the most important labor struggle since the General Motors 1937 sit-down strike."

Page noted there was a protest in Boston taking place at the same time as Springfield's.

Richard Howell, the spokesman for the Tea Party protestors, said the group was at the rally "to support the governor, citizens of Wisconsin and the right of the taxpayer to determine their own fate and not be a slave to public unions."

Howell said he would strip the right of collective bargaining from government employee unions because they are working for the taxpayer. He added the Constitution does support employees of private companies to unionize.



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