Tag Archives: union

Rally for the employees of American Water, June 9th 10:45am – King Street Metro, Alexandria

Workers

 

American Water, the largest for-profit water utility in the nation, has filed in Virginia for a rate hike of 22%.  At the same time, it is trying to CUT union employee health benefits even though the company made a 10% profit in 2010.  The company seems to be trying to follow the lead of Republican governors in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, and other states in curtailing workers’ income, pension and health benefits, and job security – even while the recession continues for most working families continues.  Join members of the NOVA Green Party as we support the union employees of American Water preserve their hard-earned benefits against corporate greed.  

As Greens, we stand shoulder to shoulder with workers and labor unions in their drive to get a fair deal with their employers. The key word is fair. In these current economic times, government agencies and private companies are using the recession as an excuse to cut workers benefits, pay, and right to organize, all under the guise of balancing the budget or belt-tightening.

The fairness issue comes into play when the cause of the current economic crisis is not the workers, it was greed at the top levels of some of the largest US and multi-national companies. Big profits were not enough, only huge would do. So greater and greater risks were taken until the inevitable crash came.

Now, they are coming after the workers.

 

 

Photo’s from the 50-State Rallies to Save the American Dream

Great post from the folks at MoveOn.org – 50 great pictures from each state capital taken at the Rallies to Save the American Dream.

From across the political spectrum, Americans turned out in support of the middle class and the right of workers to collectively organize.

The Northern Virginia Green Party stands shoulder to shoulder with all Americans who dream of a better life for them and their children, fueled by jobs, healthcare, and education. Why? Because our American values allow for nothing less.

 

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The Northern Virginia Green Party stands with union employees!

Saturday, February 26th, across the nation, citizens, workers (unionized and non-unionized) stood in solidarity with public employees and union members in Wisconsin. They are fighting to retain their rights to collectively bargain with the state for wages and benefits. In attendence was our own Paul Hughes (head of the Northern Virginia Green Party) along with his granddaughter, Sierra. It was Sierra’s first public rally, and a great way to see democracy in action.

The Green Party stands in favor of the right of workers to freely organize unions, have a safe workplace, and to be treated and compensated fairly in exchange for their expertise, time, and labor. A vibrant, just, and sustainable economic system cannot exist without workers protections.

Unions – what have they done for you? They brought you:

1. The weekend.

2. The 8 hour day.

3. The 40 hour work week.

4. Workers compensation insurance.

 

The Richmond Times-Dispatch covered the event. Their article can be found below, and by clicking this link.

Union advocates rally for Wisconsin workers

By Olympia Meola

Chanting “the workers united will never be defeated,” several hundred union advocates rallied at the state Capitol on Saturday to support their Wisconsin counterparts.

They railed against what they view as an attack on the middle class and workers’ rights in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker is trying to curb collective-bargaining allowances for public employees. Walker also wants workers to pay more toward pensions and health-care costs to help alleviate budget troubles.

“I say we can not, should not, and will not balance the budget on the backs of the middle class,” said Richard Hatch of the Communications Workers of America, Virginia council.

“Pensions are deferred compensation,” he said. “They are not taxpayer handouts.”

Gov. Bob McDonnell has come to Walker’s defense, saying states must make tough choices to balance their budgets. McDonnell is also seeking changes to the Virginia state employees’ retirement system, and has asked the legislature to require workers to contribute 5 percent into their plans and receive a 3 percent salary increase.

The crowd waved signs like, “In the Confederacy, stand with the unions,” and “corporations are not people,” while some signs targeted the politically active billionaire Koch brothers — “VA GOP: Addicted to Koch too!”

The afternoon Save the American Dream rally in Richmond was part of a “national day of action,” with events held across the country. Richmond’s rally was organized in part by the liberal MoveOn.org political action committee and labor groups.

Rabbi Ben Romer of Congregation Or Ami told those gathered that “all budgets are moral documents.”

“When you steal from the poor to give to the rich, when you steal from the workers to give to the corporate greedhead, you violate … all religious values in the West,” he said.

 

And now, some pictures:

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A diverse crowd of 350 people standing strong for workers rights.

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One of the signs reads “Corporations Are Not People ” – important to remember. The Northern Virginia Green Party puts people first. We do not accept ANY donations from corporations, political action committes, or unions.

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