Mine workers rally to protect bargaining rights

[Bravo Zulu]

WAYNESBURG, Pa. -- Thousands of union coal miners and supporters from several states tried to fuel an uprising in southwestern Pennsylvania on Friday, proclaiming themselves ready to mobilize for the war they say is being waged on organized labor in the United States.

"There's a bad, bad wind coming out of the west, and it's up to us to stop it at the doors," said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale as snow whipped into the metal bleachers at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

Like nearly a dozen other speakers from several national unions, Mr. Bloomingdale urged miners decked mostly in camouflage to prepare for battle, calling unions the last line of defense for the American middle class.

"We've got a fight ahead of us, and it's not going to be won in Harrisburg. It's not going to be won in Charleston," he said, a nod to the many West Virginians in the crowd. "It's going to be won right here in the counties."

The rally, which began with a nearly 1.5-mile march along Route 21, is one of the first outside the states where lawmakers are already battling over collective bargaining rights.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11092/1136459-455.stm#ixzz1IQGe5FHe

[femmocrat]

1. Solidarity!

K&R

[Peacetrain]

2. This is so awesome... over the top

The coal mining community has been in the republicans back pockets for a number of years because of social issues.. specifically abortion..these are fundamentalist Christian communities with Assemblies and Churches of God..not many Methodists or Catholics.. if this is happening the Republicans are in more trouble than they realize.

[Arctic Dave]

3. Miners! Scotty stepped in a huge pile of doodoo.

The repugs across the US are probably pissed at this guy.

[crickets]

4. Fantastic!

People are waking up, fast. I don't think the Republicans expected the reaction they're getting.

[Omaha Steve]

5. I can't wait to see all the stories about Mondays (We Are One) rallies

I won't be home till late as I'll be driving home from Lincoln. So I won't see much of the news till Tuesday. At work I have very limited access to the net, so Tuesday night will be my real first good look.

Thank you for posting.

K&R!

OS

[malaise]

8. What are the plans for May 1 - Labor Day

:fistbump:

[crickets]

6. Kick

[malaise]

7. K & R

Solidarity Forever

[Kingofalldems]

9. K and R all Pro Union threads