Activists to rally outside Mich.'s state Capitol

Michigan

A coalition of unions and community groups will be holding a rally on Tuesday at 9 a.m. to protest the “Emergency Manager” bills package that is currently in the State Senate. A vote on Senate Bills 153-158 is expected Tuesday, and union members will be outside of the capitol building to tell our representatives to vote no.

Under legislation passed in the Michigan House of Representatives, the state treasurer or state school superintendent could appoint emergency managers once the governor declares a financial emergency for that locality. The legislation would allow the emergency manager to cancel labor contracts and suspend collective bargaining for up to five years. An emergency manager would have the authority to become the sole trustee of an underfunded pension system and would also be allowed to suspend the authority of city managers and local elected officials. All of this will be done without seeking authority or approval from any elected body or from the people.

Also in Michigan, facing pressure from unions, seniors, religious, progressive and retiree advocacy organizations, some Republican state legislators are pushing back on Gov. Snyder’s plan to tax pensions and are urging the Governor to expand corporate business taxes instead of taxing pension.

Indiana

Protest demonstrations will continue at the capitol until the legislative impasse is over, with a Rally for Workers’ Rights planned for Thursday, March 10 at 10 a.m. at the Statehouse.

Missouri

The Missouri state senate is expected to vote on right-to-work legislation, SB 1, this week or next. A protest rally is planned for Friday, March 11 in downtown St. Louis at 3:30 p.m. at Kiener Plaza.

The state legislature is also considering other bills that would eliminate prevailing wage laws, restrict project labor agreements, and make it harder for whistleblowers to sue their employers if they are fired, among other anti-worker measures.

Ohio

Protesters will gather at the West Plaza at 11:30 a.m. Tues., March 8, for a Rally for Public Workers.

Wisconsin

Gov. Walker’s anti-worker budget repair bill remains at a legislative impasse while 14 democratic senators refuse to return to the capitol until the governor agrees to negotiate a fair deal for public workers. The Wisconsin Senate passed a resolution on March 3 holding the 14 Democratic senators in contempt and empowering law enforcement officials to issue warrants to bring the senators back to Wisconsin.

Watch this videotaped message of support and gratitude for the senators, dubbed the “Fab 14” by protesters.

Rallies continued over the weekend in Madison and Milwaukee and more events are planned around the state for the coming days and weeks.

Forbes declares “Walker has lost the war.” A new poll by Rasmussen released March 4 shows that nearly 60 percent of likely Wisconsin voters disapprove of Governor Walker’s performance, with 48 percent strongly disapproving. The poll goes on to reveal that 77 percent have a high opinion of their educators, and only 32 percent of households with children in public schools approve of Walker’s performance.

Here is another video message of solidarity, this one from NEA http://myfighttoo.com