20,000 Hoosiers protest anti-worker efforts

UAW members in Indiana joined thousands of Hoosiers to protest at the Capitol.  Photo by Chris McTaggart/UAW Local 933.

In the biggest demonstration in Indianapolis since 1995, about 20,000 union members and other concerned citizens rallied at the state Capitol Thursday. Protesters braved icy, windy conditions to let their state legislators know they would not stand by as Republicans try to destroy the middle class.

Specifically, demonstrators oppose House Bill 1216, which would exempt most public building projects from being subject to common construction wage rules, and prevent companies from having to sign project labor agreements that guarantee a certain percentage of union jobs.

Senate Democrats and two House Democrats – Reps. Bill Crawford of Indianapolis and David Niezgodski of South Bend – attended the event. Most of the other 40 House Democrats remained at an Illinois hotel where they have been for nearly three weeks to prevent Republicans from moving their agenda.

Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Assembly passed Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal 53-42 on Thursday.  Protesters made it clear that Republicans may have won the battle but they did not win the war.  The recall of Republican legislators will begin. Walker signed the bill on Friday. Minority leader Rep. Peter Barca proposed a motion to remove House Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. It didn't pass on a straight-party vote.

Rallies took place all over Wisconsin on Thursday. There were huge crowds at the Capitol, plus Dodge County Administration Building, Eau Claire City Hall, Veterans Park in Fond du Lac, Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, La Crosse County Courthouse, Milwaukee County Courthouse, Sen. Ellis' District Office in Neenah, Oshkosh Opera House Square, Platteville City Hall, Monument Square in Racine, Richland County Courthouse and River Falls City Hall.

Protesters are preparing for a Statewide Day of Action on Saturday with events in all targeted Senate districts and a massive rally in Madison.

It's obvious, but still shocking, when they say it out loud: Wisconsin State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald confirms their 2012 motivation on Fox.

The White House condemned Wednesday’s GOP maneuver in Wisconsin and Wisconsin Democrats filed a legal complaint over the violation of the open records law. 

Florida
SB 736 – a bill to overhaul how teachers are evaluated – was passed this morning in the Florida Senate. New teachers would be paid based on test-score data as part of a new merit pay system. Teachers hired after July 1, 2011, would have a one-year probationary contract during which they could be fired without cause. The bill now goes to the house, where it is scheduled to be debated next week.

Ohio
Ohio residents rallied in New Lexington on Thursday in opposition to SB 5. Today people will rally to protect the rights of working people in Chillicothe and State Rep. Jim Buchy will hold a public forum on SB 5 in Greenville. Buchy will also hold public forums in Coldwater and Eaton next week.

Missouri
Right to Work (SB 1) will be brought up on the Missouri Senate floor on March 14 at 4 p.m. Union members are encouraged to go to Jefferson City on Monday and meet on the third floor of the Capitol rotunda.

Today community organizations, students, working Missourians and faith leaders will rally in St. Louis under the banner ‘Save Our Middle Class,” and a rally against SB1 is planned for this Saturday in Kansas City.

Be sure to check out this report from Center for American Progress: State Budget Deficits Are Not an Employee Compensation Problem, The Great Recession Is to Blame.