By Raanan Geberer And Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BROOKLYN — Thousands of labor union members carrying the banners of their local unions and waving American flags and other signage crowded into Cadman Plaza Park on Wednesday before marching over the Brooklyn Bridge to protest what they say is an attack on the middle class.
This “March for the Middle Class” was called by the New York City Central Labor Council to protest government cutbacks that they say target middle-class and working-class New Yorkers.
Among these cutbacks, according to a statement handed out at the march, are the shrinking of benefits, the outsourcing and contracting out of jobs, proposed layoffs, budget cuts that would diminish New York City residents’ safety and quality of life, and more.
In the park, one saw many banners, including the Plumbers Local 1 (who wore colorful red shirts), Painters and Allied Trades District Council 9, AFTRA (American Federation of Radio and Television Artists), the Laborers Union, Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, and the New York City District Council of Carpenters.
There was even a brief internal argument as a group of carpenters carried a banner saying “New Directions,” apparently a group within the carpenters’ union. A heavy-set man in a suit argued with them that they should be representing the union as a whole, not just a faction, but the New Directions crowd won the discussion.
Many of the demonstrators came to the plaza by van and by bus. While waiting, some jammed Cranberry’s, a local takeout food store, as well as a nearby hot dog stand. While the area was ringed with police, the demonstrators were orderly.
“This is a march to point out the plight of the middle class, which has been put upon in ways like never before,” Denis Hughes, president of the 2.5-million-member New York State AFL-CIO, told the Brooklyn Eagle.
“Every solution to our country’s economic troubles are directed at working-class men and women. Budget cuts, wage cuts, layoffs, cuts to education, reductions in job security — we’ve had it. It’s got to stop. “A definite change in public policy had taken place from the 1930s to the present. Back then, when times were bad, the country tried to take care of working men and women. Now policy has shifted to take care of rich Americans, not middle-class Americans.”
Hughes estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 had gathered to march.
“We really have to have a change in public policy,” he said. “These reductions in wages, health care and education can’t continue, or we’ll see an end to America as we know it.”
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said, “New York City is the income disparity capital of the world, where the richest 90,000 households earn $10,000 a day, while half of all city households earn under $30,000 a year. We want a country, state and city that works for everyone.”
The protesters began marching over the bridge around 2:30 p.m., heading for City Hall.
There was even a brief internal argument as a group of carpenters carried a banner saying “New Directions,” apparently a group within the carpenters’ union. A heavy-set man in a suit argued with them that they should be representing the union as a whole, not just a faction, but the New Directions crowd won the discussion. There should have been no electioning at this event.
ReplyDeleteThe ubc barelly informed the membership We better wake the f@#$ up they are going to screw us hard please help yourself get involved only if its alittle
ReplyDelete