A coalition of unions marched around the Capitol Saturday and rallied on its steps, in what was part celebration of solidarity and part a demand of elected officials and bosses: treat workers with dignity and respect.
MADISON (WKOW) — A coalition of unions marched around the Capitol Saturday and rallied on its steps, in what was part celebration of solidarity and part a demand of elected officials and bosses: treat workers with dignity and respect.
The morning demonstration played out against the backdrop of the Dane County Farmers’ Market and drew the attention of many passersby.
The event was hard to ignore. The Forward Marching band led loud renditions of union hymns and other class-conscious songs. The workers sang and engaged in call and response chants led by a cavalcade of speakers.
Those speaking at the event included union organizers, workers and two Democratic legislators.
The event was born out of this year’s Laborfest, an annual event at the Madison Labor Temple that celebrates Labor Day with food, music and a rollcall of all area unions and other labor groups.
Several workers enjoyed the camaraderie of the late summer event, and recognized many labor fights playing out at employers across Madison. Saturday’s rally was a show of strength and solidarity among the various unions involved in those negotiations.
Many, like Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39 members from TruStage and baristas organized through Starbucks United, have held their own individual demonstrations in the past year, but Saturday the two stood together.
They were joined by Madison Gas and Electric OPEIU Local 39 members who are fighting for a new contract, SEIU Wisconsin nurses pressing for a contract with UW Health, Madison Sourdough Company workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1473 negotiating their first bargaining agreement.
Several of the attendees told 27 News they felt invigorated or excited by the march and rally. They expected more events like it would soon follow, though likely those would wait until after the winter.
The turn out despite the cold crowded the Capitol steps.
Workers said they see their fights as interconnected because a victory achieved by one union would have resounding effects. Higher wages or better benefits won in one contract would force other employers to improve their offerings to compete for staff. Even nonunionized workers could see advantages.
Speakers at the event noted repeatedly they faced some of the same headwinds, including in the political sphere. The issue of gerrymandering came up repeatedly.
The workers felt that gerrymandering in the state Legislature prevents adequate representation, and called out a state Supreme Court case that could undo Wisconsin’s current legislative maps with a ruling expected in March.
