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Hundreds of Wisconsin and Minnesota workers say ‘Kill the bill’ at border-town protest

By brad

AFSCME leader speaks at protest to "kill the bill", Feb. 19, 2011, Hudson, WI

Hudson, WI – Hundreds of workers protested Feb. 19 in this town on the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota to “kill the bill” that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is trying to ram through. That bill would destroy the state’s public sector unions and impose massive pay and benefit cuts on more than 100,000 workers.

Workers from dozens of unions chanted “Kill the bill!” and “What’s disgusting? Union busting!” as they packed the Carmichael Road bridge over Interstate 94 for a 10:00 a.m. protest. Then, they marched a mile and a half for a spirited rally in front of Wisconsin’s Saint Croix County Court House. Many cars passing by honked to show their support.

The Wisconsin workers’ massive and determined response to Gov. Walker’s draconian bill – which would erase 50 years of union gains – has electrified the labor movement around the country.

Many workers made the drive from the Twin Cities for the Hudson rally. According to Phyllis Walker, President of AFSCME Local 3800, the union of clerical workers at the University of Minnesota, “We were eager to show our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Wisconsin who are standing and fighting for their right to have a union. It’s so inspiring to see workers from all different unions and workers who aren’t in unions come together and say enough is enough. This is what solidarity is all about.”

At the rally, speakers from AFSCME, the Minneapolis teachers union, the Teamsters and many other unions from Minnesota and Wisconsin expressed the do-or-die importance of the fight.

Workers protest to "kill the bill" in Hudson, WI, Feb. 19, 2011

#HudsonWI #GovernorScottWalker #Wisconsin