We Are One International Solidarity Rally at Peace Arch

Published by Patrick
PSAC - BC
March 25th, 2011
Read also Paul Robeson: A border story

We Are One is an international solidarity rally that protests the unprecedented and draconian legislation that significantly restricts the collective bargaining and workers’ rights of Wisconsin public sector employees. B.C. trade unionists have witnessed first-hand what an anti-union government will try to do, from eroding employment standards, freezing wages, selling off public assets like BC Rail, and advancing privatization. Now workers in Wisconsin need our support to protect their rights and to defend public services.

Join union members, their families and allies from Washington, Oregon and B.C. at the international border to stand in solidarity with workers who are struggling to keep their right to collectively bargain.

* Saturday, April 2 from 2:00 PM – 3:00PM – the rally will be short and fun!
* Peace Arch State Park – map here
* For the latest information and to download a poster visit bcfed.ca

Background – Wisconsin

In a late night session, Republican governor Scott Walker rammed a bill through the state senate that would:

* Deny collective bargaining rights to thousands of Wisconsin public sector workers and end negotiations covering working conditions, health and safety including workers compensation, leave entitlements, seniority rules, equality provisions, grievance procedures, representation rights, and pensions and benefits
* Restrict public sector wage increases to the cost of living (COL) and require any salary increase above the COL to go to public referendum
* Force union members to vote annually to keep their union
* Stop dues check-off, making unions collect dues directly from members
* Enable the sell-off of Wisconsins public utilities, and more

On March 18, a circuit court judge temporarily blocked the legislation. But the battle for workers’ rights continues – other US states and right wing groups in Canada are watching what’s happening in Wisconsin, intent on passing similar bills of their own or lobbing for changes to Canadian laws.