Rochester Area Residents Will Gather to Support Wisconsin Working Families

Monday, February 28, 2011
 

For Immediate Release
February 28, 2011
Contact: Aron Reina, Lead Field Organizer
(585) 263-2650

Rochester Area Residents Will Gather to Support Wisconsin Working Families

Hundreds Expected to Join in Defense of Collective Bargaining

President Bertolone: “This is about respect, dignity and everyone’s ability to discuss working conditions with management.”

(Rochester, NY) – Hundreds of demonstrators are expected to gather in front of Rochester City Hall, Rochester, NY on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 beginning at 4:30pm. Demonstrators will voice their support for embattled workers in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and elsewhere.

“This is about one thing: our right to discuss working conditions with management,” stated Jim Bertolone, President, Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. “Whether you call it collective bargaining, negotiations, discussions, talks or summits, this is about the fundamental principle of talking to resolve our differences. Respectful, dignified communication is the most basic tenet of a successful democracy.

“Governor Walker of Wisconsin has chosen to act unilaterally, without following the basic tenets of talking with his state’s workforce. Now, he and others around the country, seek to remove basic protections to prevent discussions, to prevent the basic respect of management talking with their employees. We will gather peacefully on Wednesday to remind our community, and others, that our democracy cannot function without workers and management engaging in dialogue.”

When: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 4:30pm

What: Rally to Support Wisconsin Working Families and in Defense of Collective Bargaining

Where: Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street, Rochester, NY

The Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO represents more than 300 local unions, throughout 11 mid-western New York State counties, giving voice to more than 80,000 working men and women.