Last night, myself and two family members (one being a teacher) attended the Wisconsin support rally at the State Capitol in Sacramento. When we arrived the crowd was about 2000 give or take. The events were mostly being led by CNA and SEIU but there was a good showing from Teamsters, Longshoremen, Operating Engineers Local #3, CWA and some IWW members.
My union UFCW Local 8-GS made a showing but used the event for a leadership photo op more than anything! Carried no signs, participated in no chants, noise making etc... showed no enthusiasm at all. Not one had the balls to acknowledge me, I’m not their favorite these days! One of the family members with me did view them pointing our way and talking about us but we ignored them and went about out business. Local 8 did not contact any members and urge them to attend the rally.
The rally was never taken inside the capitol but stayed outside on the steps the entire night.
The tea-baggers had threatened to disrupt the rally but that never materialized. I counted, only saw 45 or so. They never crossed the street to the capitol stayed on the corner all night hidden in the shadows of the night. They had a sign... “no more free lunch” and their American flags. Pretty poor showing on their part.
Considering the severity of the issue I was pretty disappointed in the numbers of labor supporters that showed. That capitol should have been packed IMO. There were lot’s of people in the crowd that agreed that the business union leaders would definitely screw this up for the rank n file if left in charge of running the fight in Wisconsin.
Scott Schroeder UFCW local 8G5 rank n file member
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