Unions,Occupy Wall Street Join Together in New York, Peoria,Around the Nation

AFL-CIO ^ | Oct 20, 2011 | Mike Hall

[mdittmar]

The Occupy Wall Street movement has spread from big cities to small towns, mobilizing a diverse group of people from young workers to grandmothers. Even “The New Yorker” has taken note, with a cover this week that portrays a group of “protestors” who have occupied Wall Street since its inception–and who would like to keep it that way. Take a look here. 

Meanwhile unions and union members around the country are throwing their support to the movement that is demanding Wall Street be held accountable, that financial institutions invest some of the trillions in profits they are sitting on into job creation and that Congress act to create jobs.

Transport Workers (TWU) President James Little says in this video that the Occupy Wall Street protestors have been the spark that set off this growing rebellion against greed and the huge economic inequality that has enriched the top 1 percent and left the other 99 percent behind.

If these people don’t get together and try to change some of the inequity that’s out there, no one’s going to do it.  It has to be done. It’s not being changed in Washington, not by legislators. They’ve got to wake up.

While much of the focus on union members joining the Occupy Wall Street actions has been on cities like New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago, workers in places like Pocatello, Ida., also are taking to the streets. This past Saturday, the Pocatello Central Labor Council mobilized to join the Occupy Pocatello march and rally.

It plays in Peoria too. First, Occupy Peoria activist joined in an America Wants to Work rally outside Rep. Aaron Shock’s (R) office during the AFL-CIO’s National Week of Action. That was followed by the West-Central Illinois Labor Council and Building Trades mobilizing with Occupy Peoria for march and rally. The council has also made meeting rooms and office space available to the group.

Tomorrow night in New York City protestors from Occupy Wall Street will join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) for a march to and a rally outside a Verizon Wireless store to protest corporate greed by Verizon. Verizon Wireless workers have been on the front lines of the struggle against corporate greed.  This summer they were forced on strike and while they have returned to work, the battle for a fair contract continues.

The call for economic justice and equality has long been a cornerstone in the labor/faith community. This week, Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) released an interfaith prayer service that can be used or adapted for faith communities looking to reflect and pray on the occupy movement. It’s designed to help people reflect on a moral economy within the context of their religious tradition. Written for clergy and religious leaders, the prayer service is aimed for those Occupying Wall Street and other cities, and for congregational use. Says IWJ executive director Kim Bobo:

The core issues here are the growing inequality in the nation, the lack of responsiveness to that and the job crisis.

The prayer service has been tailored for Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations. Click here to download it.

You can take action now. Tell Congress its time for Wall Street to start Paying US Back! A tiny tax on financial services can generate billions of dollars. Sign the Bankster.com online petition here.

[mdittmar]

I'd be a little pissed off if I was a AFL-CIO member,but I'm not.

[EGPWS]

If these people don’t get together and try to change some of the inequity that’s out there, no one’s going to do it.

Blatant communism at work to destroy freedom.

[nascarnation]

I’m sure the iPads, laptops, sleeping bags, and tents they use at “occupy” events are all union made, right?

[Jeff Head]

Let them continue to suppport this monstrocity. It will make 2012 all the more decisive, and all the more sweet.

WHAT OCCUPY WALL STREET IS ALL ABOUT

[scooby321]

I predict in two weeks it turns violent.

Winter is coming and the thugs have move while still hidden in a crowd.

[SandRat]

[Brandonmark]

It would be interesting to see how fast the MSM would avoid covering counter-protests such as Occupy the AFL-CIO, Occupy the Teamsters or Occupy the Public Service Unions.

[steveab]

Folks, this is a scam. More than anything else, the Unions and well as Investment Banks want An Infrastructure Bank, A Government Sponsored Entity. The new Freddie and Fannie. This morning on CMBC the X-mayor Daily and the CEO of JP Morgan Investment Bank were talking about it. We can not allow this to happen.